Parishioners working to hang shimenawa straw ropes around the sacred husband & wife camphor tree (夫婦楠) just inside the entrance to Owase Jinja Shrine (尾鷲神社) in Owase, Mie Prefecture during the Ōkusu Shimenawa-kake Shinji ritual (大楠注連縄掛神事) held on the fourth day of June and December
It’s February, so we suspect that love might be on your mind. Maybe you enjoy Valentine’s Day in all its hearts, cards, and candy glory. Or perhaps for you, romance is more of a year-around vibe. Either way, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that Japan has you covered. From sacred temples with love-inspired backstories, to otherworldly environments that you’ll have to see to believe, there are plenty of places scattered throughout the country that will leave you swooning. Whether you’re planning a special Valentine’s date with your significant other, or just looking to treat yourself right, read on to learn more about a few of our favorite romantic spots across Japan.