For the first time in three years, Toka Ebisu Shrine in Fukuoka City, which is known as the god of prosperous business, has started its New Year's festival, and it is bustling with people looking for lucky charms.
The New Year Festival is a New Year's tradition that is held every year for four days from January 8th at Toka Ebisu Shrine in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City.
Due to the influence of the new corona, it was canceled last year, but this year it was held for the first time in three years while taking measures against infection.
On the first day of the 8th, many worshipers flocked from early in the morning, and at 10:00 a.m., the famous lottery to test the luck of the year began with a unique shout of "Ebisu Te Ippon".
At the lottery, lucky bamboo grasses, which are inspired by the life force of straight bamboo shoots, and lucky charms with treasure ship and tai motifs were prepared, and they were handed out with energetic slogans such as "big win" and "prosperous business."
A man in his 70s who visited from Fukutsu City, Fukuoka Prefecture said, "I waited in line for two hours for the lottery. I hope the work will go even better than last year."
Also, a man in his 30s from Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, who drew the "jackpot" lottery, said, "I hope the year will be even better than last year. I hope that my family can live a healthy life."
The New Year festival at Toka Ebisu Shrine will be held until the 11th of this month, and 700,000 people are expected to visit.