Japan is famous for its numerous shrines that grant people their wishes. Whether it is prosperity, good health, or wealth, people have been visiting shrines to ask for many things. One popular wish, however, is love. Are you seeking blessings for your child’s safe delivery? Or perhaps, have you been searching for true love and want to settle down?
With Valentine’s Day coming up, shrines are flooded with young men and women seeking love. If you wish to find love before this Valentine’s, this article is for you! We have gathered 5 sacred shrines that are known to guarantee results for single souls!
Tokyo Daijingu
Tokyo Daijingu (東京大神宮) is one of the 5 major shrines of Tokyo. It enshrines various deities/gods, including historical figures like the ancestral deities of the Imperial Family or Gods like Izanagi, guardian of agriculture who commands creation and growth. As the deity of creation and growth also possess the divine power of togetherness, Tokyo Daijingu is also known for being the shrine for good marriage and successful love.
Tokyo Daijingu had its name changed 3 times since its establishment. In 1880, it was originally named Hibiya Daijingu, where it was built in the Hibiya area. However, in 1982, the shrine was moved to Iidabashi after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake struck central Tokyo and was renamed Iidabashi Daijingu. It then changed to its present name, “Tokyo Daijingu”, after the second world war. Tokyo Daijingu was the first shrine to publicly hold a Shinto wedding ceremony following the marriage between Emperor Taisho and Empress Teimei in 1900 at the Imperial Shinto Shrine.
Tokyo Daijingu not only grant wishes of love and romantic partners but it also grant smooth marriage and untroubled relationship. Therefore, it is popular not only to young men and women, but also married couples who wishes for the longevity of their relationship. Presently, the shrine offers a wide variety of charms related to love, including ones that promote long-lasting relationship and also ones that ensures success in finding lovers.
Among the 50+ charms of the shrine, one of the most popular charms from Tokyo Daijingu is the Enmusubi, which looks like 2 white lily flowers, and it’s magic? Finding your true love.
IIDABASHI STATION: 16 minutes from Ikebukuro by train on Yurakucho line
Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: 2 Chome-4-1 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tōkyō-to 102-007
Hie Shrine
Located in central Tokyo, Hie Shrine is another one of the 5 major shrines of Tokyo. The exact date the shrine was built is unknown but it is believed to have been protecting Edo( the old name of Tokyo) since 1603. The deity enshrined in Hie Shrine is the Japanese God of foundations with his messenger, a monkey. It is believed that the monkey, Masaru, brings safe child delivery and harmonious marriage, which is reflected by the visitations of females to the shrine.
Furthermore, because the God enshrined in Hie Shrine is the God of foundations, the shrine is believed to bring good luck for job prospects and career promotion, offer protection, and bring good fortune for love and relationship matters. Although most visitors usually come here wishing to tie their love knot, there are a few others who come to the shrine asking for job promotion As the shrine is easily accessible for those who work near Iidabashi, Hie Shrine is a popular place for them to visit.
The shrine’s prominent feature is its stairs of red torii gates in which visitors have to climb in order to reach the main shrine of Hie. Upon reaching the top, visitors would see the monkey statue, Masaru. It is recommended to rub the left side of the statue if you seek for luck in love!
KOKKAI GIJIDOMAE STATION: 23 minutes from Ikebukuro by train on Marunouchi line
Hours: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: 2 Chome-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0014
Imado Shrine
A 15 minute walk from the famous Asakusa Sensoji Temple is the Imado Shrine, and this shrine is believed to have a strong divine power for its matchmaking effect. The first thing you would notice when you first reach the shrine is that it is filled with cat sculptures. These cats are called the Maneki neko, literally meaning the beckoning cat, which is a cat figurine known for luck. It is believed that Imado Shrine is the origin of these Maneki neko. It is also believed that the gods who are enshrined in Imado Shrine, Izanami and Izanagi, were the first couple to marry in Japan’s history.
Visiting the shrine therefore is believed to help one meet their significant other. Anybody who wants to get married can visit the shrine and try their luck. Today, it is popular among women and couples who want to fulfill their love. Don’t forget to take pictures of the Maneki Neko for good luck on your love life!
ASAKUSA STATION: 40 minutes from Ikebukuro by train
Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: 1 Chome-5-22 Imado, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0024
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Kawagoe
The town of sweet potato, Kawagoe, holds one of the most famous love shrines that has been in existence for almost 1500 years. The Hikawa Shrine, located in Kawagoe, is known to help numerous lonely souls find their partner. The God enshrined in Hikawa Shrine is believed to be the family God, who grants wishes related to relationships, marriage, and family happiness.