Nishinomiya, Hyogo / 西宮神社（西宮えびす）
Nishinomiya Shrine (Nishinomiya Ebisu)
Affectionately called "Ebessan" in Kansai, Nishinomiya Shrine enshrines Ebisu and is the head shrine of all Ebisu shrines in Japan, said to be over 1,000 years old. Its main hall is in the rare "Nishinomiya-zukuri" style and is a registered tangible cultural property; many sake barrels offered by breweries across Japan line the vermilion buildings. The "Toka Ebisu" festival held for three days from January 9 each year is a winter tradition in Kansai, and its highlight is the "Kaimon Shinji Fukuotoko Erabi" at 6 a.m. on the 10th, when people race about 200 m from the main gate to the main hall as the gate opens.
Last official check
28 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
27 Dec 2026
Decide before you go
A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.
- Getting there
- Train
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
Gates: April-August 5:00-19:00, October-February 5:00-18:00, March and September 5:00-18:30 (6:00 opening on January 10 only); amulet office 9:00-17:00 (prayers accepted until 16:30).
Checked 28 Sept 2026 on the official site- Closed
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Admission
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Getting there
By car from the Kobe side, right by the Nishinomiya exit; from the Osaka side, about 5 minutes from the Mukogawa exit (Hanshin Expressway Kobe Line); about 5 minutes on foot from Hanshin Nishinomiya Station, about 10 minutes from JR Sakura-Shukugawa Station, about 15 minutes from Hankyu Shukugawa Station.
Checked 28 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
About 50 cars (free); contact in advance for coaches; not available at New Year or during Toka Ebisu.
Checked 28 Sept 2026 on the official site- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Accessibility
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: Nishinomiya, Hyogo (Japanese address: 兵庫県西宮市社家町1-17)
Official site: https://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/spot/detail_1032.html
Location
Smaller pins are other spots nearby.
Nearby spots
- No photo yetOsamu Tezuka Manga MuseumHyogo8 km away (straight line)
Photo: そらみみ / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)Rokko Garden TerraceHyogo9 km away (straight line)- No photo yetZuihoji ParkHyogo10 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetArima Onsen Taiko no YuHyogo10 km away (straight line)
Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5 (resized)Mt. Maya Kikuseidai ObservatoryHyogo12 km away (straight line)
Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
"Toka Ebisu" for three days from January 9 every year; the "Kaimon Shinji Fukuotoko Erabi" at 6:00 on the 10th.
Checked 28 Sept 2026 on the official site- Busiest season
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Latest traveler report
- None yet
Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).
You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps
Verification log
- 28 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/spot/detail_1032.htmlHours, access, parking, description, address and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.