Shrine for Lovers (Izu Peninsula, Japan)

Kumano Shrine located at the furthermost end of Cape Irozaki on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture (Japan) is where a deity of marriage is enshrined.

Origins of this shrine are unclear, but is associated with a legend of a young couple who overcame challenges and lived happily ever after.

In this shot, you can see omikuji (random fortunes written on strips of paper) wooden ema boards are typically used to inscribe wishes or prayers to the deity of the shrine.

The omikuji were originally used to divine the gods’ opinion on important matters, such as choosing successors, determining battle strategy, etc. and was an extremely sacred occasion. In modern days, anyone can freely purchase an omikuji in hopes of getting a good fortune.

At Kumano Shrine, especially, people write wishes or prayers for good matchmaking.