If you're in the bustling centre of Shizuoka city but looking for some peaceful, traditional spots, then there are three clustered together close to Cenova shopping centre. There are two Buddhist temples, compact Keyo-in and lovely Hodai-ji, then there's this Shinto shrine, dedicated to the god of luck, merchants and fishermen.
Oibessan apparently is one of the ancient names for this god; he's also been known through history as variously Webisu, Ebessan, Yebisu, and now Ebisu. Of the seven Japanese gods of fortune (the shichifukujin), he's the only one to originate wholly in Japan, with no Hindu or Chinese influence.
It's not a large place, but there are plenty of interesting, charming details. Look upwards and on one roof you'll see cute airborne guardian lions, on another an exquisite carved wooden crane. Under the eaves of the main hall there are carvings and tiles showing the shrine's heritage; a fisherman battling rough seas, a sea bream (tai in Japanese) which is a symbol of plenty, two old ceramic tiles showing Ebisu.
Getting there
Oibesan is on Tenma-dori, a few minutes' walk west of Cenova or Shizuoka station, close to Otowacho station on the local Shizutetsu train line.
Peter Sidell @peter.sidell
I came to Japan from Manchester, England in 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I'm not working, I write satire and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check YouTube for a taste.
