Although Japan is famous for its New Year's Day pilgrimages, the people of Kyoto get excited to visit the shrines on another day for the “Tōka Ebisu” or "10th at Ebisu.” On January 10th of every year, a festival is held on the grounds of Ebisu Shrine. While the festival is mainly for those wishing for thriving business, many geisha and apprentice geisha, or maiko, can be seen attending the festival as well.

Ebisu is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune and he is depicted smiling with a fishing rod and sea bream in hand. He is said to have the power to bring people all over the world happiness. A fun fact is that while all the other gods of fortune have Chinese or Indian origins, Ebisu alone is a Japanese god. This may be one of the reasons why he is idolized by many people all over Japan.

Let’s head to the back of the shrine and to the left. Next to the rear exit there is a board you can hit as you head out. Since Ebisu has such great hearing, it is said if you hit the board, he can hear you from the heavens and knows that you have come to pray to him.