Honestly, Tokyo just felt like another concrete sprawl, so it was refreshing to find a tranquil forest park.
The sanctuary I sought was the Meiji Shrine.
The shrine lies amid Tokyo in an evergreen forest of 120,000 trees covering 365 different species, trees donated by devoted people from across the country when the shrine was completed in the 1920s.
Meiji is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.
Unfortunately, American air raids during World War Two destroyed the Meiji Shrine. But the Japanese rebuilt it in 1958.
I approached a souvenir stall, where the English-speaking saleswoman assured me the talisman would bring a traveler: ‘Good Luck’.
Great. I was flying to Central America in 2 days.
She gave advice on how to perform the customary prayers.
I followed a Shinto ritual at the Meiji Shrine
I wrote my wish on a piece of paper, tied it upon the wall, put some yen notes into the offering box, bowed my head twice, clapping twice, and bowing once more.
I prayed I’d find a girlfriend – a relationship, as I’d been single for some years.
That evening, I went with two foreigners from my capsule hotel to a rowdy bar and rounds of sake.
Woke the next morning in a Japanese babe’s apartment, on her sofa, still dressed.
She was mad.
And she’d taken all my remaining money; I had to beg her to release a few coins for a subway fare across Tokyo.
And also after asking, she returned my sunglasses.
I think I’d well-overstayed my hour, or whatever was agreed. Badly hung-over; no memory; zero boom boom.
Not exactly the love encounter I’d wished for…
Yet, 2 days later.
In Mexico City.
Someone’s compassionate god answered my plea.
Travels in Japan – 2009