Toka Ebisu New Year Festival

At the core of Fukuoka's lively schedule unfolds the New Year Festival at Toka Ebisu Shrine—a vibrant celebration dedicated to the deity known for bestowing prosperity upon businesses. This grand event has woven itself into the very fabric of the city's merchant community, ranking as high in significance as their inaugural shrine visit during the New Year, symbolizing a flourishing start to their annual ventures. The festival's focal point, the "Fortune Draw," enthralls participants seeking good fortune for the upcoming year through an assortment of auspicious items.

A noteworthy occurrence is the 9th-day 'Kachi-Mairi,' where Hakata geigis (geisha), adorned in their graceful formal kimonos, bestow their presence upon the shrine, adding an extra layer of elegance. Enhancing the festival's allure are approximately 300 lively stalls that embellish the shrine's surroundings, offering an assortment of lucky charms tied to commerce, such as beckoning cats and daruma dolls. From the break of dawn until nightfall, the shrine transforms into a bustling hub, brimming with visitors immersed in the jubilant ambiance of hope and prosperity.