Japan - Shinto

"No luggage" - on a mystical journey in Japan!
Many Shinto shrines have a specific purpose. There are shrines for pregnant women who want a safe birth, there are sanctuaries for fishermen who pray to return safely from the sea, there are even ones for sexual gratification. Homes and offices also have small Shinto shrines to protect against evil spirits, fires, earthquakes and typhoons. Most are considered the homes of the sun goddess. They are constructed according to sacred principles. They are usually facing south, sometimes to the east, but never to the north or west, which according to the principles of feng shui are considered unfortunate.