By ando 
Basic Information
Location: 1-2-37 Hamamachi, Wakamatsu Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Enshrined kami: Kotoshironushi no kami (Ebisu-sama), Okuninushi no kami (Daikoku-sama), Oyamakui no kami
Main Festivals: Toka Ebisu Taisai (January 9-11), Annual Grand Festival “Oebessan” (December 2-4)
Divine Blessings: Business prosperity, maritime safety, household safety, financial fortune
Mystery 1800 Years Ago: The Legend of the “Glowing Sacred Stone” that Appeared from the Seabed
Wakamatsu Ebisu Jinja has a truly dramatic founding legend. Approximately 1800 years ago, when Emperor Chuai and Empress Jingu were traveling to Chikushi no Kuni (present-day Fukuoka Prefecture), a strange phenomenon occurred in Dōkai Bay: the Empress’s ship became immobile.
Takeuchi no Sukune, who was accompanying them, had a fisherman investigate the seabed. There, he reportedly found a divine, glowing “sacred stone.” The enshrinement of this sacred stone as a guardian deity of the sea is said to be the beginning of the jinja. Amazingly, it is believed that this sacred stone still resides deep within the main hall’s innermost sanctuary as the goshintai, the sacred object embodying the kami.
The Secret Story of the Birth of the Place Name “Wakamatsu”
There is a theory that the place name “Wakamatsu” in Kitakyushu City itself originated from this jinja. A romantic episode recounts that when Takeuchi no Sukune enshrined the sacred stone, he planted “young pines” on the shore, giving the area its name. Alternatively, it is said that Empress Jingu admired the fresh green pines of the area and composed a poem, “My heart is also young,” leading to the name “Wakamatsu” (meaning “young pine”).
Did Ino Tadataka Also Visit? The Mystery of the “Direction Stone” Resting in the Shrine Grounds
History buffs won’t want to miss the “Direction Stone” located within the shrine grounds. This is a valuable historical relic said to have been donated by Ino Tadataka, a surveyor from the Edo period, during his survey of Kyushu. The stone pillar, about one meter tall, is engraved with the twelve zodiac signs and cardinal directions, and was once reportedly placed on the shoreline. What was the father of modern Japanese surveying thinking when he visited this place and dedicated this stone? Contemplating his survey route at the time evokes a sense of historical mystery.
Pilgrimage Site and Superb View: The Red “Wakato Ohashi Bridge” and Anime Scenery
The greatest feature of Wakamatsu Ebisu Jinja is its location. The vibrant red suspension bridge, Wakato Ohashi, a symbol of Kitakyushu, passes directly over the jinja.
This Wakato Ohashi Bridge is depicted as the background in a scene where the protagonist Suzume travels through Kyushu in director Makoto Shinkai’s anime film “Suzume no Tojimari.” From the shrine grounds, you can look up close at the gigantic bridge piers and the underside of the red bridge. This creates a unique and “insta-worthy” landscape where ancient shrine architecture merges with modern giant structures.
Hidden Highlights: The Child-Loving Komainu and Ceramic Lanterns
As you explore the shrine grounds, you’ll discover other interesting features.
Child-rearing Komainu: These komainu are unusual, depicted with small cubs at their feet. Affectionately known as “child-loving komainu” due to their adorable expressions, they are a hidden power spot for safe childbirth and child-rearing.
Ceramic Lanterns: Rare ceramic lanterns, said to have been donated in the Meiji era, remain here. These luxurious offerings tell the story of Wakamatsu’s prosperity as a coal shipping port during that period, when great wealth was amassed.
Wakamatsu Ebisu Jinja is not merely a shrine for business prosperity; it is a place full of mysterious charm where ancient mythology, modern surveying, and contemporary animation intersect. We invite you to experience the striking contrast woven by the red Wakato Ohashi Bridge and the serenity of the shrine grounds.
Related Links and References
[1] Kujirazuka – Wikipedia
[2] “Suzume no Tojimari” Sacred Site Pilgrimage! Tour the Locations Across Japan [Travelko]
[3] Ebisu Jinja | Taiji Town Tourism Association (Wakayama Prefecture)
[4] “Suzume no Tojimari” Sacred Site Pilgrimage! Recommended Spots from Kyushu to Tohoku – Mapple Web