Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka

The Imamiya Ebisu Shrine is dedicated to Ebessan, the God of business and prosperity. It is very popular in Osaka which is known as the business and trade capital of Japan.

The Imamiya Ebisu Shrine was commissioned by Prince Shotoku in the year 600. The main festival of the shrine that is celebrated in January attracts pilgrims from across Japan. They come here to pray for commercial prosperity. Ebessan the main deity at the shrine is depicted carrying a fishing rod and a large fish symbolizing abundance and wealth. He is one of the seven Gods of good luck according to traditional Japanese belief.

The Imamiya Ebisu Shrine comes alive during the annual festival. The festival takes place between the 8th and 12th of January annually. Young ladies give bamboo stalks called Fuku Musume to visitors with lucky charms attached to them and they pray to the deity for prosperity and business success through the year. The grounds of the shrine have many stalls selling food and the Rice wine called Sake at this time. Traditional folk dances are also performed. On Toka Ebisu or the tenth day, a colorful parade takes place and Geisha and local celebrities are borne on palanquins. Geisha dances, rice cake making and other performing arts also take place on this auspicious day.