Hokkaido Jingu has become more popular as a sightseeing spot than ever before, attracting many tourists and local visitors even during winter. Starting from New Year’s Day, the shrine becomes bustling with people praying to succeed in their high school or university entrance exams. Many visitors purchase Ema (votive horse tablets) to write their wishes on them, and then hang them on the designated racks, hoping for their wishes to come true. Of course, they also make sure to draw an Omikuji (fortune) and tie it onto the Omikuji rack or tree. Japanese people love to visit shrines or temples … Continue reading Hokkaido Jingu in winter