Aiming to be the first to visit the shrine, the New Year's customary "Lucky Man Selection" was held at a shrine in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture for the first time in three years.
At Nishinomiya Shrine in Nishinomiya City, which is affectionately known as "Ebessan," every year on the morning of January 10th, the three people who run through the precincts and arrive at the main shrine first are selected as the lucky men of the year. ” is taking place.
Participants from all over the country gathered at the starting point, Omote Daimon, and when the gate was opened at 6:00 a.m. with the sound of drums as a signal, they ran through the approximately 230 meters to the main shrine at full speed.
"Fukuo Selection" is a traditional Shinto ritual that has been held in conjunction with "Toka Ebisu" to pray for prosperous business.
This year, it was held for the first time in three years, taking measures such as reducing the number of people who could participate in the lottery to line up in the front row at the starting point and stopping the Kagamibiraki after the "Fukuo" was decided.
This year, Ryota Uemoto (22), a university student from Kobe, was the first to reach the main shrine and become the “most lucky”.
Mr. Uemoto said, "I think I'm lucky enough to be here, so I'd like to spend a year where I can share my luck with everyone."