Shirahige Shrine, located in Kawaminami Town in central Miyazaki Prefecture, is a historic shrine founded in 825 AD. While the shrine boasts many adorable ceramic fortune slips shaped like the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, flowers such as plums and camellias, beckoning cats, and kappa (water imps), this particular fortune slip is a bright red鯛 (sea bream), a play on words meaning "auspicious." Pulling the red string at the bottom reveals a scroll-like fortune slip. After receiving your message from the gods, place it in your room or elsewhere. The sea bream is also known for its association with longevity, making it a recommended item for those praying for long life. "It is said that Japan has 'eight million gods,' but there are also gods in the mountains and the sea. This cute, palm-sized fortune slip evokes that idea," (Tokio Takizawa）

• Size: W4 × D2.5 × H5 cm
• Contact: Shirahige Shrine

*Prices may vary, so please check with each shop.

Select: Tokio Takizawa Photo: Kohei Yamamoto Text: Shiyo Yamashita