Written by JC Team
This popular five-day festival celebrates Ebisu-san, one of the seven lucky Gods of Japanese mythology, responsible for prosperity.
What happens?
There are plenty of charms to buy to increase your fortune for the upcoming year including lucky bamboo grass, and many gather in the hope of improving their luck, so be prepared for crowds. Due to the legend that the God himself is a little deaf, the festival is noisy and raucous with people knocking on wooden boards to get his attention before prayers are repeated.
There will be plenty of food stalls and entertainment to enjoy. You can check the schedule here (in Japanese).
Schedule 2026
The opening times differ for each day, with early starts and a full night on most days, so be sure to check the timetable before you go. Also, note that some ceremonies and rituals are not open to the public.
There’s also plenty to see during the day, including traditional Kagura dances, lucky bamboo grass, and geisha handing out rice cakes and bamboo around Gion.
- January 8 (9 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
- January 9 (9 a.m. to all night)
- January 10 (all day and night)
- January 11 (until midnight)
- January 12 (9 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
How to get there
The festival will be held at Kyoto Ebisu Jinja. It is a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride from Kyoto Station. There is also a festival with the same name in Osaka, so don’t get confused.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
