When the power of Japanese protection amulets backfires
When visiting a temple in Japan, many visitors seek out omamori to take home with them and obtain good luck from. Often translated as “protection…
Shrines
A torii gate out of nowhere late at night has Japanese Twitter user feeling spirited away
While there are many famous large shrines in Japan that stand out as major emblems of their respective regions, some of the smaller more local…
Temple in Japan comes up with clever and colorful idea to revamp its purification basin
At temples in Japan, there’s usually a chozu (purifying water basin) to wash your mouth and hands as a way of cleansing prior to praying….
Personal hishaku ladles keep chōzu traditions alive as we enter a ‘new normal’
In normal times, when visiting a Japanese temple or shrine complex, the first thing you would be expected to do would be to wash your…
Photographer shows the healing nature of Japanese shrine’s purification pond in one shot
Located in Ibaraki prefecture, Kashima Jingu (Kashima Shrine) is one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines, and a well sought out spot for tourism and pilgrimages….
Photographer captures breathtaking shots of shrine in a swirling sea of fireflies
Early summer is the season for fireflies in Japan. The sight of fireflies floating in the air with their soft lights in the dark is…
Feline divinity receives daily offering at their personal cat shrine
Japanese Twitter user and cat owner (@maihimemoco) lives with her three cats. Apparently, she has a “power-spot” at home to bring in good luck. As…
“Fluffy cat shrine” turns your cat into a feline divinity
As any cat lover knows, our feline companions can sometimes (read: all the time) have sort of a god-complex and turn the tables on who…
Japanese photographer stumbles upon charming hidden “Totoro’s Forest” shrine
The forest of Sayama Hills in Tokorozawa, Japan is said to be the inspiration behind the setting of Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli classic, My Neighbor…
Local Senior Citizens Build Beautiful Straw “Year of The Rat” Guardian In Front Of Shrine
When Japanese Twitter user Yuta Yoshida (@yutatatatata recently visited the Tohashira Shrine located near their family home in Hyogo prefecture, they may have found the…
Want to win the lottery? The Best Shrines and Power Spots to Pray for Good Fortune before Buying Takarakuji
Who doesn’t want to win the lottery, right? In Japan, you can find Takarakuji (treasure) lottery tickets sold almost everywhere. Especially before New Year’s, they…
Gorgeous Cliff Top Bonsai Trees Show Off Marvelous Miniature Landscapes
Tokyo Bonsai Lifestyle offers a range of impressive and unique celebrations of the traditional Japanese art of bonsai, as we saw last year with their…
Nara’s Famous “Child Granting” Temple Reveals The Nature Of Japanese Power Spots
In Japan, some of the most celebrated sightseeing areas are not simply tourist attractions, but what are known as “power spots”. Power spots are believed…
This Photographer Shows Why Kyoto is One of The Most Beautiful Places on Earth
Stunningly gorgeous photography of Kyoto shows why it remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Often celebrated as a popular tourist spot…
Awesome 360° Panorama Tour Site Lets You Explore Some Of Japan’s Most Gorgeous Areas In Style
With the abundance of awesome sightseeing spots and natural splendor in Japan, it can sometimes be difficult to narrow down a list of “must-go-to” areas…