MICE News

The Fukumusume shrine maidens visited our office to wish a Happy New Year!

On January 6, 2025, we received a visit at our office from the Fukumusume shrine maidens to provide good luck for 2025. To grant blessings for prosperous business in the new year, the Fukumusume performed the “kamigata-jime,” a hand-clapping ceremony unique to their shrine.

The Fukumusume (“daughters of fortune”) are the shrine maidens of Imamiya Ebisu shrine, one of Osaka’s oldest shrines and believed to be the home of Ebisu, the deity of trade and commerce. The Fukumusume are especially active during the Toka Ebisu Festival, held around the 10^th of January every year, where festival goers flock to receive blessings and good luck for the new year.

This year’s Toka Ebisu Festival begins on January 9th! See here for more information on Imamiya Ebisu Shrine:

• Imamiya Ebisu Shrine

Did you know that your meeting or event can also receive a visit from the Fukumusume shrine maidens? The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau provides a wide range of support and entertainment programs for qualifying meetings, events, and incentive tours, and one of the most popular programs we arrange is the appearance of the Fukumusume at dinners and receptions. Contact us to see if your event qualifies!

See more on how we can support your next meeting or event:

• Meeting & Event Support for Organizers