Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine

Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine stands as one of Japan's historic Ebisu shrines, built before the reign of Emperor Daigo in the early 10th century. Since ancient times, it has been worshipped by fishermen as the god of the sea and the god of protecting fishing voyages, with Kotoshironushi, who was associated with fishing and navigation, worshipped as the deity. The shrine was historically near the sea, reflecting its maritime origins in what was once a coastal fishing community.

The shrine enshrines "Ebisu-sama," a god of prosperous business and family safety, who has long been cherished by the locals as "Ama-no Ebbe-ssan (Ebisu-sama in Amagasaki)". Its conspicuous vermilion Otorii (grand gate) has become a symbol of Amagasaki, standing at an impressive 17 meters tall and serving as a distinctive landmark for the city. The shrine gained renewed prominence in 2012 when Nobuyo Otagaki became chief priest, taking over from her father, representing a modern female leadership in traditional shrine administration.

Visitors can explore the compact shrine grounds that feature a deity of marriage, fox deities for making a wish, and "Tsukiishi," a stone for good luck. The shrine offers amulets that come in a variety of types and the picture depicted on the goshuin (red ink seal) that changes every month, making it particularly appealing to collectors of shrine stamps. The most significant annual event is the Toka Ebisu Grand Festival held on January 9th, 10th, and 11th, which draws large crowds seeking blessings for business prosperity and good fortune.

The shrine is conveniently located near Hanshin Amagasaki Station, which is a 7-minute train ride from Osaka Umeda Station. Located close to the Hanshin Amagasaki train station - south side, visitors can also access the area via JR Amagasaki Station, which offers connections to Kobe, Kyoto, and Takarazuka lines. The shrine grounds are compact and attached to a very small park, making it easily walkable for visitors of all ages. Admission is free, allowing visitors to pay respects and explore the grounds without charge, though donations are welcomed for shrine maintenance and festivals.