Kyoto Ebisu Shrine
Gion, Kyoto
Source: kyoto-ebisu.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Kyoto Ebisu Shrine is one of Japan's three great Ebisu shrines, founded in 1202 by Eisai as the guardian shrine of Kennin-ji. The lucky bamboo branch, now the emblem of Ebisu worship all over Japan, started as this shrine's own talisman.
Insider tip
Go for Toka Ebisu, 8 to 12 January, when the gates stay open through the nights of the 9th and 10th. On the 11th, Gion maiko hand out the lucky bamboo from 14:00 to 16:00 and Miyagawacho maiko from 20:00 to 22:00. Prayers in the hall need a booking by phone.
What's on at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine
Upcoming events at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Hatsuka Ebisu Festival
二十日ゑびす大祭
Time Eve 19 Oct from 16:00, main festival 20 Oct from 14:00 Station Shijo-Kawaramachi bus stop (City Bus), 10 min walk
The autumn counterpart of January's Toka Ebisu welcomes the god Ebisu back from the sea, and lucky bamboo branches, charms and talismans for business are handed out. The eve is on 19 Oct from 16:00 and the main festival on 20 Oct from 14:00.
masato_photo, CC BY-SA 2.0 Toka Ebisu at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine
十日ゑびす大祭
Station Shijo-Kawaramachi bus stop (City Bus), 10 min walk
Kyoto Ebisu Shrine's big New Year festival runs from 8 to 12 Jan, and around the 10th you can get lucky bamboo branches for business. In 2026 the shrine stayed open all night on the 9th and 10th.
masato_photo, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kyo Odori
京おどり
Time 13:00 and 16:00, about an hour each Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan Line), 7 min walk
Miyagawacho's spring dances, written new each year, end with every geiko and maiko in the district on stage for the Miyagawa Ondo. Both ticket types include tea.
Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0 Mizue-kai Recital of Miyagawacho
みずゑ會（宮川町）
Time 16:00, plus 13:00 at the weekend Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan), 7 min walk
Miyagawacho's geiko and maiko show the classical dances they've been practising, and the finale is Miyagawa Kouta, a song of the district through the seasons. Seats were ¥10,000 downstairs and ¥8,000 upstairs in 2026.
Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0 Kuya's Dancing Nembutsu at Rokuharamitsu-ji
空也踊躍念仏
Time 15:00 on 13 to 15, 19, 20 and 26 to 30 Dec Station Kiyomizu-michi bus stop (City Bus 206), 7 min walk
The dancing nembutsu that Kuya, the temple's founder, started to drive away an epidemic in the Heian period is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It's held at 15:00 on 13 to 15, 19, 20 and 26 to 30 Dec, and the 31 Dec service is closed to the public.
Hikomi Moneru, CC BY 3.0 Nearby
Around Gion
The teahouse streets below Yasaka Shrine, best early or at dusk
Gion grew up as the town at the gate of Yasaka Shrine, and it's still where Kyoto's geiko and maiko live and work. Gion Kobu, the largest of the city's five geiko districts, keeps its teahouses along Hanamikoji-dori, and the Shirakawa canal runs through Gion Shinbashi to the north. Go early for the shrine and the temples behind it. Come back at dusk for the streets.
Gion has 25 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 6 shrines and temples, 4 shops, 4 neighbourhoods, 3 cafes, 2 landmarks, 2 restaurants, 1 bar, 1 museum, 1 park or garden and 1 bathhouse. Read the Gion guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Kyoto Ebisu Shrine?
- 125 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市東山区大和大路通四条下ル小松町125).
- How do I get to Kyoto Ebisu Shrine?
- The nearest station is Gion-Shijo (Keihan). Kyoto Ebisu Shrine is in Gion, Kyoto.
- How much does Kyoto Ebisu Shrine cost?
- Nothing. Kyoto Ebisu Shrine is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine?
- Plan for 15 min.
- When is the best time to visit Kyoto Ebisu Shrine?
- 8 to 12 January.
Stay near Kyoto Ebisu Shrine
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