Lucky Star shrine (Washinomiya) (Patreon)

Fun fact! The shrine in the Lucky Star OP is in Saitama, right outside of Tokyo. The town is called Washinomiya.

Some of my friends from California are also visiting Japan right now, so I took them along.

The shrine is really easy to get to, it’s maybe a 5 minute walk from the station. There’s lucky star stuff everywhere!!! The Hiiragi twins are especially popular it seems.

We went to the shrine and prayed, then we toured the little compound. I bought an ofuda to take back to America. Ofuda are paper or wood talismans you hang in your home for good luck.

Right outside of Washinomiya Station is the cutest little snack shop!!! It’s decorated with Lucky Star stuff!! The shop is run by the sweetest old couple. I told them we were Lucky Star fans from America and they thought it was really sweet that we’d pay them a visit. They happened to be baking sweet potatoes and they gave us some along with our snacks as an extra treat! They were incredible, especially on a cold day.

I would HIGHLY recommend visiting Washinomiya. And please, if you do, spend some money at the snack shop!!!!