Biei Shrine

Located in the nature-rich town of Biei in Hokkaido, it is known for blessings for fulfilled love and good matches. It’s also a popular “Top 3 energy spot in Biei,” alongside the rare Shirahige Falls, where water pours down through cracks in the rocks, and the dreamy Blue Pond, known for its standing dead trees and blue water surface.

One of the main highlights is the heart-shaped decorations scattered throughout the shrine buildings. This design is said to date back over 2,000 years to the Yayoi period, and it carries meanings such as “charging straight ahead,” “keeping bad things away,” and “protection from evil.” It has long been used at shrines and temples as a lucky motif. Today, the more of these heart-shaped decorations you find, the more it’s believed to boost your luck in love, drawing couples and people troubled by romance.

Every year on July 24, the “Nachi, Biei Fire Festival” is held. It’s a Shinto ritual praying for peace at Mt. Tokachi and for the town’s prosperity. The sight of carriers in white robes parading through the night streets while holding 12 large torches is dignified and mysterious. If you get the chance, be sure to check it out.