What other travelers are saying about Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
🎐Imamiya Ebisu Shrine · Osaka⛩️
🎋 🎏Where Good Fortune Begins｜A Local Shrine for Prosperity & Peace
Just a short walk from Namba and Shinsekai,
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine is a beloved Osaka spot known for bringing luck in business and life.
Locals call the deity here “Ebessan,” the smiling god of prosperity.
Pass through the stone torii gate and you’ll find two bronze guardian lions watching over the shrine.
The wooden main hall stands quietly, surrounded by colorful prayer charms and bright red lanterns —
a perfect blend of serenity and joy.
This is where Osaka’s merchants come to pray for good fortune,
especially during the Toka Ebisu Festival every January,
when the entire area fills with chants, laughter, and good wishes.
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Don’t forget to pick up a Fukuzasa bamboo charm or a golden Tai fish amulet —
symbols of abundance and success.
Visit early in the morning for calm reflections,
or pair your visit with a stroll to nearby Tsutenkaku Tower and Shinsekai for a full Osaka experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Toka Ebisu Festival from January 9-11 is the main event with over one million visitors. Expect large crowds during this period. Weekdays outside festival dates offer quieter visits. The shrine is open year-round.
Buy fukusasa bamboo branches with lucky charms and business amulets. Pray at the main hall using standard Shinto practice: bow twice, clap twice, pray, bow once. Make a small monetary offering.
Yes. Most signage is in Japanese but worship practices are observable. Photography is permitted. No prior knowledge required.
No. Admission is free. Visitors make voluntary monetary offerings when praying and pay for charms, amulets, or fukusasa bamboo branches if purchasing them.
The shrine grounds contain multiple smaller subsidiary shrines dedicated to different deities. For other major shrines, visitors can travel to Sumiyoshi Taisha or explore central Osaka's shrine district, though these require separate transportation.
A beautiful and peaceful shrine. Ebisu is traditionally the god of fisheries, commerce, business prosperity, good luck, and general fortune. Always be sure to provide your offering and prayer/wish before you request your goshuin. They also sell the goshuin-cho (the specific book) required for the goshuin. The special book opens like an accordion it’s an ancient Japanese bookmaking tradition demonstrating your devotion. They also have seasonal pre-written sheets you can glue into the book later. Please be mindful of the sacred space, follow signs regarding photography, and do not film the goshuin writing process, as it is deeply spiritual and deserving of respect. I arrived around 2:00 PM on a weekday.
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine is one of those rare places in Osaka where the rhythm of the city gently dissolves the moment you step inside. The gravel crunches lightly underfoot, stone lanterns cast soft shadows, and the wooden shrine buildings stand quietly against a backdrop of modern high-rises — creating a beautifully unique contrast of tradition and urban life. In the warm daylight, the engraved stone pillar bearing the shrine’s name feels especially dignified, as if inviting visitors into a realm of blessings, prosperity, and calm.
What stands out most is the shrine’s understated elegance. The main hall, built in warm timber and topped with a soft green copper roof, reflects the sunlight in a way that feels both serene and timeless. There is no excess decoration here — only a pure, well-balanced simplicity that slows your pace and lets you breathe in the quiet scent of wood and open air.
The good-luck charm you purchased perfectly embodies the spirit of Imamiya Ebisu. Known as the patron deity of business, trade, and prosperity, “Ebisu-san” is celebrated throughout Osaka, and this golden omamori carries that symbolism beautifully. With bamboo, treasure motifs, and small talismans illustrated across its surface, it feels like holding a little piece of fortune — a gentle blessing you can carry throughout your journey.
Across the grounds, visitors can be seen praying, browsing the omamori shop, or simply soaking in the atmosphere. The surrounding buildings are modest and clean, giving the entire space a warm, approachable feeling. Whether it’s your first visit or a familiar stop, the shrine welcomes you with an effortless sense of comfort.
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine may not rely on grandeur or spectacle, but its quiet charm, cultural depth, and peaceful ambiance make it unforgettable. It offers a moment of stillness within the lively city — a perfect place to invite good fortune and to let your Osaka travels unfold with a renewed sense of positivity.
This is a very nice temple to visit while in Osaka. It is about 15 minutes walk from Namaba Station. I would highly recommend you visit this temple when in Osaka. There is no entry fee. You can also obtain a Goshuin stamp here for 500 yen. It is highly recommended to obtain the Goshuin stamp while visiting each temple.
I came during a random afternoon to enjoy the grounds. There's so much space and I'd love to return when there's a proper festival going on. Very peaceful and a lovely goshuin, too.
