Pray for prosperous business and receive an auspicious bamboo branch at Kyoto’s Hatsu Ebisu
Toka Ebisu Grand Festival (Hatsu Ebisu)
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2027/01/08 〜 2027/01/12Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- Held mainly over 5 days, from January 8 through the 12th each year
- Location
- Kyoto Ebisu Shrine
- Area
- Kyoto Prefecture・Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/11/14
This traditional New Year event is held over 5 days at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine, centered on January 10, said to be the birthday of the deity Ebisu. People pray for prosperous business and household safety through the distribution of auspicious bamboo branches and the stalls.
About Toka Ebisu Grand Festival (Hatsu Ebisu)
The Toka Ebisu Grand Festival (Hatsu Ebisu) is a 5-day event at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine, centered on January 10, said to be the birthday of the deity Ebisu.
Ebisu is revered as a deity of prosperous business and household safety, and good-luck charms such as auspicious bamboo branches are distributed.
The event is also deeply rooted in faith in safe travel and Ebisu as a deity of fishing, and has been passed down as an occasion for people to offer many kinds of wishes at the New Year.
Festival highlights
In the shrine precincts, auspicious bamboo branches are distributed to the call, “Bring bamboo for prosperity in business!”
On the 11th, maiko distribute the branches, creating a festive scene unique to the event.
The many stalls lining the shrine precincts and nearby area are another feature, bringing together religious devotion and the bustle of the town at New Year.
Pray for prosperous business and receive an auspicious bamboo branch at Kyoto’s Hatsu Ebisu
What to expect
The event lasts 5 days, with a different name for each day: Shofuku-sai, Yoi Ebisu-sai, Toka Ebisu Grand Festival, Nokori-fuku-sai, and Tetsu-fuku-sai.
Auspicious bamboo branches are distributed throughout the event, and maiko also distribute them on the 11th.
performances at the Kagura Hall are said to be offered throughout the night, with different scenes unfolding from daytime into the evening.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kyoto Ebisu Shrine / 125 Komatsu-cho, Yamato-oji Shijo-sagaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Train and bus
6-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line
車椅子：不可
Address 〒605-0811 125 Komatsu-cho, Yamato-oji Shijo-sagaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Dates and season
Scheduled to run from January 8, 2027 (Friday) through the 12th (Tuesday).
On the 8th, Shofuku-sai, the shrine is open until 11 p.m.; for Yoi Ebisu-sai on the 9th and the Toka Ebisu Grand Festival on the 10th, it stays open all night.
On the 11th, Nokori-fuku-sai, the shrine closes at midnight, and on the 12th, Tetsu-fuku-sai, it closes at 10 p.m.
The program may change depending on the social situation.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Kyoto Prefecture / Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Wheelchair access is not available.
As all-night opening days and nighttime closing times vary by day, check the schedule for the date and time you plan to visit.
Nearby attractions
Nearby are Kennin-ji Temple, Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple, and Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple.
Kennin-ji Temple is listed as 0.2 km from the venue in a straight line, Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple as 0.3 km, and Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple as 0.4 km.
The Gion Kagai Art Museum is also listed as a tourist attraction 0.4 km away in a straight line.
京都タワー
京都府京都市下京区にある塔
京都国立博物館
京都市にある国立博物館
京都国立近代美術館
京都市左京区岡崎にある美術館
京都国際マンガミュージアム
日本の京都府京都市中京区にある日本最大の漫画博物館
京都市美術館
京都市左京区岡崎にある美術館
京都府立植物園
京都市左京区にある植物園
京都鉄道博物館
京都府京都市下京区にある鉄道博物館
Fushimi Inari Taisha
京都市伏見区にある神社
元離宮二条城
京都市にある城郭及び元皇室関連施設
Yasaka Shrine
京都市東山区にある神社
円山公園
京都市にある公園
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
京都市上京区にある神社
Origins and History of Toka Ebisu Grand Festival (Hatsu Ebisu)
Kyoto Ebisu Shrine is said to have begun when Zen Master Eisai established it as the tutelary shrine of Kennin-ji Temple, which he founded in Kennin 2 (1202).
The Toka Ebisu Grand Festival is considered one of Japan’s three major Ebisu festivals and draws crowds seeking good-luck charms.
The event continues as a time to pray for prosperous business and flourishing family fortunes through the distribution of auspicious bamboo branches and the offering of kagura.
Official information
京都ゑびす神社公式サイト：Official website of Kyoto Ebisu Shrine
Toka Ebisu Grand Festival (Hatsu Ebisu) at a Glance
The Toka Ebisu Grand Festival (Hatsu Ebisu) is a traditional event at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine held over 5 days, centered on January 10.
Highlights include the distribution of auspicious bamboo branches, the distribution by maiko on the 11th, and the lively stalls. The event is associated with wishes for prosperous business, household safety, and more.
According to the 2026 schedule, the festival names and opening hours were listed by day from January 8 through the 12th.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/14
