Must Buy Unique Lucky Charms and Fortune Items in Hiroshima!

• Table of Contents
• Manners and Rules to Learn Before Visiting a Shrine 
• 1. The Sea Bream-shaped Fortune Slip 
• 2. Recommended for Baseball Fans! Praying for Victory 
• 3. Soccer Uniform Shaped Charms
• 4. A Perfect Souvenir for Shimanami Cycling Experience
• 5. Biker's Mecca: Nagasasa Rakuzan Motorcycle Shrine

Manners and Rules to Learn Before Visiting a Shrine 

1. Bow before passing through the torii gate and walk on the side of the path

Torii gates separate the inside and outside of a shrine, and indicate that what lies beyond is the domain of the gods. When you finish praying and leave, face the torii gate and bow.

Also, the center of the approach to the shrine is said to be the path used by gods, so it is best to avoid the center and walk slightly to the left or right.

2. Cleanse your hands and mouth at the Chozuya

The temizuya is a place where you purify yourself with water and purify your mind and body. Let's try using the temizuya skillfully.

1. Hold the ladle in your right hand, scoop up water, and wash your left hand.

2. Switch the ladle to your left hand and wash your right hand.

3. Switch the ladle to your right hand again and pour some water into the palm of your left hand to rinse your mouth.

*Do not put your mouth directly on the ladle. If your child is reluctant to put water in their mouth, there is no need to force them to do so.

4. Hold the dipper upright and allow the remaining water to flow down the handle to wash it.

5. Place the ladle back in its original place, upside down.

It's a beautiful gesture to complete the above steps with just one glass of water. Please give it a try.

3. How to make an offering at the shrine

If there is a bell on the offering box, you may ring it. The sound of the bell is said to purify the worshipper.

After that, put your offering into the shrine with care and sincerity. The act of putting offerings into the shrine is said to have the effect of warding off impurities.

4. "Two bows, two claps, one bow"

1. First, straighten your posture and bow deeply twice.

2. Clap your hands twice.

3. Put your hands together and pray sincerely.

4. Bow deeply again.

The number of times to clap may vary depending on the shrine, so if there are signs showing you how to pray, it's best to follow them.

There is no strict etiquette for visiting a shrine, and the way you show respect varies from person to person. The most important thing to remember is to pray with all your heart!

1. The Sea Bream-shaped Fortune Slip 

At Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine, located within the grounds of Hiroshima Castle, you can draw a "carp fortune slip," a symbol of Hiroshima. The adorable figure of a carp munching the fortune slip in its mouth is a popular New Year's shrine visit. The red and white colors are considered auspicious, and you can take it home as an ornament. Hiroshima Castle is also known as "carp castle," and the shrine's worship hall features statues of twin carp and a rising carp, making it a spot closely associated with carp. It is also known as the place where the Hiroshima Toyo Carp visit to pray for victory before the start of the pennant race.

Official website here

2. Recommended for Baseball Fans! Praying for Victory 

Atago Shrine is located near the Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium and is a familiar shrine for Hiroshima Toyo Carp fans. In addition to baseball-shaped charms, it is famous for its votive plaques for praying for victory, and the shrine grounds are lined with rows of "No. 1 in Japan" signs written by Carp fans. Before the start of the pennant race, a Carp victory prayer festival is held, bringing together local residents and fans. Why not stop by to pray for victory on your way to a baseball game?

3. Soccer Uniform Shaped Charms

Sumiyoshi Shrine is the only place in Hiroshima Prefecture where you can get a FIFA-approved World Cup soccer charm. The shrine is based on the motif of the Yatagarasu, a god's messenger and the emblem of the Japanese national soccer team, and the samurai blue color that matches the uniform of the Japanese national team is impressive. With the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the number of visitors from outside the prefecture who come to buy the charms has increased.

Official website here

4. A Perfect Souvenir for Shimanami Cycling Experience

Watashi Shrine is located on Innoshima Island on the Shimanami Kaido, a sacred place for cyclists, and is also known as the Bicycle Shrine. The shrine enshrines Watashi Okami, the god of road safety, and everything from omamori (lucky charms) to votive plaques and fortune slips is bicycle-themed. Of these, the most popular are the omamori that can be attached directly to the handlebars of a bicycle. There are numerous bicycle racks available within the grounds, making this a rare cyclist-first shrine that is becoming a hot topic on social media.

Official website here

5. Biker's Mecca: Nagasasa Rakuzan Motorcycle Shrine

Within the facilities of Nagasasarakusan, a touring spot in Kitahiroshima Town, you will find the second motorcycle shrine built in the country. There are votive plaques and amulets with pictures of motorcycles on them, and people come to pray for daily road safety, as well as when they receive their new motorcycle. There are also lodging facilities and a French restaurant on the premises, making it a mecca for bikers that is known only to those in the know.