Omikuji hang on a cherry blossom tree branch at Sendai Castle, Japan

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Aoba Castle (青葉城), also known as Sendai Castle (仙台城), was the castle of the Date family. Built by Date Masamune atop Mount Aoba, it commanded a highly defensible strategic position overlooking the city of Sendai. The castle site also contains a Gokoku Shrine (護国神社), as well as a large equestrian statue of Date Masamune. The shrine is a prefectural branch of the Tokyo Yasukuni Shrine, honouring Japan's militaristic past. Come spring, the castle ground is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot. Many Japanese and tourists visit the shrine and would ask for their fortune by drawing a Omikuji. When the divination is bad, they will tie the slip to a tree or pole at the shrine, hoping to advert the bad luck.

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Size: 4000px × 2672px
Location: Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
Photo credit: © Moonie's World Photography / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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