What do People Pray for in Japan’s Love Shrines?

January 2, 2022

Have you ever wondered, “What do people pray for in love shrines?” The obvious answer is to find love, of course, but, what qualifies as love? How do people interpret “finding love” when given the opportunity to put their desires into words? Imado Shrine gives us a peek into people’s hearts.

Located in Asakusa, Imado Shrine is among Tokyo’s most popular enmusubi or matchmaking shrines. It’s usually packed with people trying to buy lucky charms and/or write earnest prayers on wooden plaques. These prayer plaques are displayed for everyone to see, and as with other Shinto shrines, it’s always amusing to pause and take a look at what people wish for. Below are some of what I found.

Prayers Plaques at Imado Shrine

Some people wish for destiny… or perhaps are trying to manifest it with strong words.

Imado Shrine prayer plaque saying, "This year, I'll most definitely meet The One that I've been praying for all this time." — “This year I’ll most definitely meet The One that I’ve been praying for all this time.”

Some people are very specific about deadlines.

Imado Shrine prayer plaque saying, "May I meet someone I'd love in 2021 and get married by the time I'm 28." — “May I meet someone I’d love in 2021 and get married by the time I’m 28.”

Imado Shrine prayer plaque saying, "May I meet someone who likes kids by the time I'm 35. I hope the three of us get along." — “May I meet someone who likes kids by the time I’m 35. I hope the three of us get along.”

Some people pray for specific traits.

Imado Shrine prayer plaque saying, "May I find someone warm and kind." — “May I find someone warm and kind.”

Imado Shrine prayer plaque saying, "This year, may I find someone wonderful who treats me right." — “This year, may I find someone wonderful who treats me right.”

Some people already have a specific person in mind.

Imado Shrine prayer plaque saying, "I wish to marry Sugi." — “I wish to marry Sugi.”

Some are couples wishing for a happy life.

Imado Shrine prayer plaque saying, "May we live happily together." — “May we live *happily* together.”

Some people wish for a second chance at married life.

Imado Shrine prayer plaque saying, "...May my next marriage be wonderful." — “…May my next marriage be wonderful.”

Some people thank the shrine for hitting the jackpot.

Imado Shrine prayer plaque saying, "I have found someone handsome, kind, rich, dotes on me, loves me, and doesn't smoke. Thank you so much!" — “I have found someone handsome, kind, rich, dotes on me, loves me, and doesn’t smoke. Thank you so much!”

And still some, though fewer in number, don’t wish for love at all.

Imado Shrine prayer plaque saying, "May I earn ¥500,000 monthly through Mercari in 2020." — “May I earn ¥500,000 monthly through Mercari in 2020.”

Love takes form in different shapes and sizes. At least that’s what these prayer plaques seem to suggest. One’s idea of love may be different from another, and what matters to one may be unimportant to another. Whatever it is you are looking for, a little help from the divine doesn’t hurt, and Imado Shrine is always open to your prayers of love.