In Saitama Prefecture, Japan there is an area that reminds strongly of the Edo Period. There are many intact old buildings and traditional shops in the neighborhood. It is called Kawagoe and it’s one of the most famous tourist spots in the prefecture. The Kumano Shrine is small but well-loved by the locals and worth a visit if you’re in the area. The activities you can do here are actually quite fun!
Health, Luck, and Love
The shrine is dedicated to the god of love and matchmaking. So many single people who are hoping to meet their match made in heaven soon come to this shrine to pray for their wish to come true. You will also see a large ring made of straw. It is said that if you walk through it 3 times while saying your wishes, they will come true.
If you are looking for better health, there is a very practical way to reach that goal. There is a path with embedded stones that stick out a bit that you have to walk over barefoot. If you are not used to this type of exercise it can be a bit painful to do this. But it is good to remember that doing this stimulates blood circulation greatly. You will also become used to it if you do it more often and at some point, it will stop hurting and even feel enjoyable.
Money Washing
Next to the front of the shrine, you will find another small shrine that is dedicated to Benzaiten, one of the 7 lucky gods and therefore goddess of prosperity. Anyone looking for monetary wealth should wash their coins and bills with the sacred water in this sanctuary. Legend has it that if money is washed with Benzaiten water, economic prosperity will come to the person’s life quickly and cleanly.
After balancing the body and laundering money, there is one more way to improve your luck at the Kumano shrine. You will be given a number of hoops (similar to a frisbee game) and you must point them at three sticks that the sanctuary has. Each stick represents an important aspect of life; love, money, and study/work. If you manage to throw the hoop into the desired area, then you will have very good luck in the corresponding aspect of your life. If it launches but fails to enter, then you must personally strive to get ahead in that regard.
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