Yasui Kompira-gu Shrine, Kyoto

Yasui Konpira-gu is a quirky shrine at the end of Hanami-koji lane in Gion whose entrance is marked by a stone toori gate. But the true highlight of this place is, undoubtedly, the unusual large ema-shaped “power stone”, known as “enkiri” or “enmusubi”, with a hole in its center. Reputedly, this megalith helps people break bad relationships, end a disease or other harmful habits like smoking, drinking or gambling, plus initiates some good connections in return. Yasui Konpira-gu is especially popular with young women who flock here in numbers to perform a ritual of symbolical “rebirth” by crawling through the hole in the stone.

It is said that, in order to harness the stone’s power, you should first pray at the main sanctuary and then write your wish on a special white strip of paper, called “katashiro”, purchased at the shrine. With that wish in hand (as well as in mind!) you should then pass through the hole twice, back and forth, before pinning your paper onto the stone alongside thousands of others. Older paper amulets are gradually removed and burned.

The stone obviously does it work very well, given the long lines of singletons gathering here at weekends, all hoping to work some magic on their love life and more.