Ebisu-jinja Shrine, Kyoto

Ebisu-jinja is a quaint Shinto shrine, but not your average Shinto shrine. It鈥檚 the spiritual stomping ground of Japan鈥檚 most cheerful deity, Ebisu, the only homegrown member of Japan's Seven Gods of Fortune and Prosperity. While his divine colleagues migrated from places like China and India, Ebisu proudly keeps things local. You鈥檒l spot this cheery lad gracing the shrine's surroundings, beaming from stone carvings, souvenirs, and various trinkets. Always depicted with a hearty laugh, he's usually wielding a fishing rod in one hand and a big ol鈥� red bream in the other. Why a fish? Because in Japan, nothing says 鈥減arty鈥� like a celebratory sea bream.

Now, Ebisu鈥檚 origin story wasn鈥檛 all smiles and sashimi but one of resilience and unlucky beginnings. According to medieval lore, he arrived in this world with severe deformities鈥攕o much so that his own parents abandoned him, setting him adrift in a boat made of reeds. Ouch...

But the baby didn鈥檛 sink! He floated straight into the arms of a kind-hearted fisherman who raised him as his own. Despite the rocky start and physical challenges, Ebisu's indomitable spirit never wavered, and his grin became a beacon of hope. He's now revered as the god of good fortune and the patron of fishermen, workers, and children鈥攁 divine underdog who turned hardship into heroism with little more than grit and good vibes.

And just when you thought the story couldn鈥檛 get more dramatic, enter Y艒sai, the founder of nearby Kennin-ji Temple. Legend has it that during his tempestuous sea voyage back from China, he found himself tossed around in a storm. Desperate for a lifeline, he called on鈥攂ut not a sailor or a monk鈥攈e called on Ebisu. And miraculously enough, just like clockwork, the sea calmed down. Grateful for his deliverance and probably a little waterlogged, Y艒sai built a shrine in Ebisu鈥檚 honor. That鈥檚 right鈥攈ere, Shinto meets Buddhism in a harmonious blend of religious reverence, where Shintoist and Buddhist rituals are often intertwined in daily practice. This beautiful act of spiritual teamwork underscores the inclusive approach, the kind of which only Japan can pull off.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kyoto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Ebisu-jinja Shrine
Sight Location: Kyoto, Japan (See walking tours in Kyoto)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Gion District Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Kyoto, Japan

Create Your Own Walk in Kyoto

Creating your own self-guided walk in Kyoto is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Kyoto Shopping and Food Tour

The cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto is just as famous as a shopper鈥檚 paradise and, without a doubt, the best place in the country to buy traditional and modern Japanese goods. Souvenirs, food, bargains, and various 鈥渙ne-of-a-kind items鈥� are all up for grabs here.

In addition to its shopping scene, Kyoto boasts a rich culinary heritage, from Michelin-starred restaurants to humble street... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

Imperial Kyoto Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Gion District Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

Arashiyama and Bamboo Grove Walking Tour

The Arashiyama district of Kyoto is slightly out of the way for tourists, but that means you can enjoy it more comfortably.

Undoubtedly, the most popular attraction here is the iconic Bamboo Grove, a mesmerizing forest of towering bamboo stalks that sway gently in the breeze, creating an ethereal atmosphere. This serene setting is a must-visit for travelers seeking tranquility amidst... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

View all walking tours in Kyoto, Japan

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