This happened about five years ago, when I was 23. A friend and I decided to take a grown-up version of a school trip — vacation days arranged, Kyoto on the itinerary.
As we went around the temples and historic sites, my friend suddenly said, “Let’s go to Shimogamo Shrine!” Kamomioya Shrine, popularly known as Shimogamo, is a famous matchmaking shrine. A coworker of hers had found a wonderful relationship after visiting.
It was a weekday afternoon, but the shrine was still surprisingly busy. Most of the visitors were women a little older than us. Some elderly women had even been brought by their parents. Watching the way people prayed, I felt the shrine’s reputation was very real.
Neither of us had a boyfriend at the time, and we weren’t anxious about it. We bought a Hime-mamori (Princess Charm) as a souvenir, thinking “well, if something good happens someday…”
Three days later, my friend had a new boyfriend. Two weeks later, so did I. We are both now engaged. Whenever someone mentions going to Kyoto, I recommend Shimogamo Shrine — just as my friend once recommended it to me.