I had a crush on someone for many years, but I never seemed to find a chance to see him. So I went to Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture — the shrine known throughout Japan for matchmaking.
Izumo Taisha lived up to its reputation. The enormous shimenawa rope was breathtaking, and the entire grounds felt majestic in a way photographs cannot convey.
I made my prayer for love and bought an enmusubi charm. The very next week, I unexpectedly ran into the man I had been longing for.
We had a meal together, went to karaoke, and there I sang a song whose lyrics carried all my feelings. After the song, I told him how I felt — and to my amazement, we started dating.
The journey from my home prefecture all the way to Shimane was worth every moment. Visiting a shrine, wearing an omamori — these small acts of effort really do bring new fortune into your life. I’m convinced.