Imamiya Ebisu Shrine

Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, affectionately known as “Ebe-san,” is located right by Nankai Koya Line Imamiya Ebisu Station. Founded about 600 years ago, it enshrines Amaterasu Ōmikami, Kotoshironushi-no-Mikoto, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, and Wakahirume-no-Mikoto. Kotoshironushi-no-Mikoto is generally known as Ebisu (the Ebisu deity). One of the Seven Lucky Gods, Ebisu was originally a deity of fishing, but is widely worshiped as a god of prosperous business. Every year from January 9 to 11, the shrine holds Tōka Ebisu, a festival to pray for business success, and it becomes crowded with visitors. The main shrine building was destroyed in World War II air raids and rebuilt in 1956. The torii gate on the south side of the grounds is a rare “Miwa torii” (also called a triple torii), featuring a large torii flanked by two smaller ones. Imamiya Ebisu Shrine is also included in pilgrimage routes such as the Nankai Line Seven Lucky Gods, the Osaka Seven Lucky Gods, and the Naniwa Shichikō (Seven Blessings) pilgrimage—so if you have time, it may be worth visiting together with other sites.