The Kyomizu Temple...
or the Golden Temple.
When I want to pass my exams.
This is Ask Japanese's Cathy Cat.
I am Natsuko Aso call me Natchan.
Let's work together today!
Cathy why are we here today?
I had some things happening to me this summer.
Quite a lot of bad things.
Wow that sounds ominous. Makes me want to know what happened.
Made me realize I need to boost my luck now to get back on track.
That's why we're here.
I see! We are here at Oofuna Kannon Temple right now.
And what you can see between us is...
A large Kannon god stature.
It's a Giant Kannon.
I already feel like I am getting lots of power in this place.
So today let's enjoy all the sights of Kamakura and boost our luck!
Let's check out all power spots of Kamakura!
Before checking out Kamakura, let's first check out what Japanese people on the streets
have said about visiting shrines and temples in Japan.
Japanese people go to shrines and temples
When do you actually go there?
During class trips really.
What do you do there during class trips?
We learn about the history.
Where did you last go?
Kyomizu Tera Temple in Kyoto
And the golden temple.
During school trips is there a "shrine or temple only" setting?
We can visit both shrines and temples.
We look up which ones we are interested in and go there.
In Japan we go to shrines and temples as first visit of the year.
There we pray that the new year will hold good things for us.
Do you buy things there?
Do you buy talismans? - I draw fortune slips.
Are you not scared of getting a bad result?
I am scared.
This year I pulled "great luck" so it was good.
The other time I pulled a fortune slip I got "worst luck" so...
"Worst luck" is actually quite good.d
- How so? - It's super rare.
Super rare, so that's kind of good.
That sounds interesting. I got the feeling you just cheered me up.
I go to them when I have a wish.
For example when I want to pass my exams.
During school exam period everyone goes to pray for success.
For exams or also for sport competition success.
Have you prayed for your school's sport club before?
Yes I have.
What sport club and what wish?
I prayed that our team will win the next basketball match.
I generally don't visit shrines and temples.
But I visit those near my house.
Do you have a favorite shrine or temple you can recommend?
Visit Konpira Shrine.
Where is it? - In Kagawa.
Konpira Shrine has large stairs.
Lots of stairs all the way up.
Wouldn't going up be quite tough? - Yes it is.
That's why locals don't go there much.
What place can you recommend?
If you go to Kyoto then the Golden Temple.
It's beautiful in winter and any season.
Go to the place in Kyoto that has thousands Torii gates.
Wouldn't that be the famous Fushimi Inari shrine?
That's the one!
It's said to be super popular as picture spot.
It's great for Instagram!
Those were our questions. Thank you.
Now back to Natchan and Cathy Cat.
There's actually a reason why we decided to visit Kamakura.
To be honest I have been VERY unlucky the month beforehand so
I definitely needed to boost my luck.
Together with Natchan I went to explore lots of special spots in Kamakura.
This place is close to Kamakura station, it's the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine.
- Have you visited this place before? - I think not yet.
Not yet? I come here a lot. - It's famous?
It's super super famous. - Let's go.
Now we are inside the shrine premises.
It has such a Japanese atmosphere.
- It feels like the air changed after entering. - Yes you got a point there.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the MOST famous shrine in Kamakura
It's a spot you must visit in Kamakura.
Thousands of people come here every year to pray
for the good fortune of their family, business, work even houses or vehicles
and to ward off back luck.
We went to the main part of the shrine and left our prayers.
The was amazing!
I prayed very strongly and it felt really good.
You grabbed some new power! - I did!
This place is for fighting success and work success!
I am glad I did this.
You look a bit happier now. - I feel happier too.
Good
Our next place is Kamakuragu Shrine.
A shrine!
There is an unusual experience here you can take part in.
Oh that got me wondering!
Let's see what it is!
Kamakuragu is about 15 minutes away from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
by foot.
The shrine is very famous for the unique technique
that is used in order to ward off bad luck.
Hello Shrine priest. Nice to meet you.
I heard there is a special experience you can take part in here...
This is the stone that breaks bad luck.
You take the bad things from you and break them on the stone.
Can I use it for when I have had bad luck?
Of course, that's fine.
Glad to hear that.
Could you explain to us how it's done?
Sure, pick one of these plates.
Whichever we like? - Yes you can.
Hold them in your hand.
Then breathe deeply onto the plate.
I did.
With this, all the bad from inside you is now on this plate.
- Oh it's on the plate now. - We got it right here.
We will break it from here.
We break it over this large rock here.
I see!
Get close to it. Look at it. Then throw.
This his how you do it.
It makes you feel refreshed. - Quite refreshing!
With this I shall also break my bad luck away!
There!
Wow it broke apart so well.
Wow how refreshing!
Cathy this feels great!
Ok let's do this.
I shall have my turn next.
This year really many things happened....
I REALLY need to raise my luck this year.
That means you haven't been well recently?
Yeah.
I really really NEED better luck these days.
Let's raise our stats!
Here we go!
IT DIDN'T BREAK AT ALL!!!
Wait, which one is the unbroken one? There!
Can I go one more time?
Cathy's plate didn't break at all.
Laugh or cry...
God is kind, so you can do it one more time.
That's kind.
Give it one more go.
Next, smash it to pieces!
There!
This DOES feel great!
I know what you mean now!
You both look different now.
It really feels like it took bad things away from me.
I feel a lot lighter.
Right, you feel lighter right!
Good to see that. - Thank you.
Thanks so so much.
What visitors do you get mainly?
Anyone from young to old.
People come from everywhere and go home feeling refreshed.
Please enjoy this place and have a good time.
Thank you so much.
Well done for today.
Well apparently I needed two goes at this before I could
totally get rid of all the bad luck.
I am glad I managed to do that.
It's actually quite good for releasing stress too.
Don't forget to leave a prayer to the gods before you leave the shrine
By now we are getting hungry and we decided to visit a place
that is popular for its Japanese lunch.
It's only 5 minutes away from Kamakura station.
Our lunch will be here at Kamakura Kamameshi KamaKama.
KamaKama!
Looks good.
Let's eat and get some energy.
Natchan ordered the triple color DON and I ordered the Chirasu fish eel don.
We couldn't wait to get our food. We were so hungry.
And wait!
You don't know what shirasu are?
Well, have a look!
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
Thank you!
There it is!
Who has the Shirasu?
AYes!
And your tripple don.
Thank you!
Tripple Color Don! Let's open it!
What's inside this one?
Salmon eggs, see urchin and shirasu fish.
It looks super rich.
Three two one... let's do this...
There we go. Wow this looks tasty.
Eel and little white shirasu fish.
I shall start eating first then.
That's how it looks.
Let's eat!
The mix of Salmon eggs, sea urchin and shirasu fish is the best.
This rice is super warm.
It has a really gentle flavor and is super tasty.
That looks good.
There we go.
It's super hot.
It's soft, warm, sweet a super mix.
So tasty.
We shall forget about the microphones now when we eat.
Sorry!
The Kamameishi is a must try food in Kamakura.
It's hot, full of flavor super filling and has been enjoyed for many years
in Japan.
Be sure to pick your favorite topping and try it when you come to Kamakura.
Wow we ate lots.
I am so full.
Thanks for the feast!
I got so much energy now.
And since I got more energy now, I wanna see more of Kamakura!
In Japan you can raise different aspects of luck.
Not just one. Like luck in love in particular and such.
I see. Love.
I think I would like to raise other lucky stats too.
In that case, let's have a further look at Kamakura.
Let's go.
Our journey will continue!
Feel free to share the video with other fellow travelers
and I'm looking forward to your comments!