【2026 New Year's Shrine Visits in Kyushu】Auspicious Names! 7 Top Shrines for Overflowing Happiness! Power Spots for Good Fortune, Wealth, and Love
Index
Start 2026 at the most powerful shrine whose very name brings good fortune!
2026 is a special "Hinoe Uma" year that comes only once every 60 years. It is said to be filled with passion and drive, bringing opportunities for great leaps forward. Why not start this vibrant year by visiting a shrine whose very name holds auspicious power—symbolizing "happiness," "wealth," and "treasure"—to summon the strongest possible fortune?
In Kyushu,You can feel happy even before you arrive.Unique shrines brimming with blessings are scattered throughout the area.
This article features seven carefully selected shrines for your 2026 New Year's visit—places whose very names radiate happiness and good fortune. Whether you seek love fulfillment or financial prosperity, these spots will bring you..."Wishes I Want to Fulfill"We propose a pilgrimage route to dramatically boost your fortune. From renowned shrines celebrated as power spots to secluded shrines nestled in hidden realms, we introduce highlights within the precincts along with information on exclusive lucky charms.
At the start of the new year, harness the power of your name to get off to the best possible start!
Kōfuku Shrine
Recommended for couples
The Ultimate Matchmaking Shrine Hidden in Miyazaki's City Center
A truly happy shrine, fittingly named "Happiness" and worthy of its top ranking.
Actually, it's a popular spot in Miyazaki that's trending right now, and the character for "happiness" comes from the enshrined deities Ugahitotamahiko-no-Mikoto and Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto.
Originally established during the Edo period as the guardian deity of the Tomitaka Jinya (an administrative office overseeing shogunate-controlled territories), it later merged with several other shrines to become what it is today.
It is said to be especially effective for matchmaking, and the original marriage registration forms and marriage votive plaques created to commemorate its 150th anniversary are a must-see for couples.
It's popular as a hidden gem where you can worship quietly despite being in the city center.
The couple of camphor trees, said to be over a hundred years old, exude a solemn atmosphere and warmly watch over the area, adding to its charm.
A truly “blessed” shrine where voices proclaiming "my wish came true" never cease. Why not visit to pray for happiness at the start of the new year?
■Road Stations around
Roadside Station Hyuga, ,Roadside Station, ,Roadside Station Tsuno
| name | Happiness Shrine |
|---|---|
| address (e.g. of house) | 10-20 Honmachi, Hyūga City, Miyazaki Prefecture 883-0045 |
| supplementary information |
▼For more information, please visit the official website. https://koufuku-jinja.jp/ |
Okadome Kumanoza Shrine
(Commonly known as: Happiness Shrine)
People who want to be happy
Take the "Happiness Bound" train to Happiness Shrine
Known locally as the “Happiness Shrine,” this is a popular spot for good fortune, revered as a shrine that wards off misfortune and brings happiness.
Founded in 1280 to ward off the Mongol invasions, this historic shrine enshrines Izanagi and Izanami, the ancestral deities of Japan.
As its name suggests, it is said to bring good fortune and ward off misfortune.
From the temple grounds perched atop a small hill, a tranquil pastoral landscape unfolds, soothing the hearts of visitors.
Just nearby is Okadome Kōfuku Station, Japan's only station named after happiness. A cheerful yellow postbox, a votive plaque offering area, and commemorative “bound for happiness” tickets all add color to your joyful journey.
As you leisurely pay your respects and let your thoughts drift toward happiness, your heart will naturally fill with contentment... Visiting this place itself feels like the very beginning of a journey to happiness.
■Road Stations around
Roadside Station Nishiki, ,Roadside Station Hitoyoshi
| name | Okadome Kumanoza Shrine |
|---|---|
| address (e.g. of house) | 1582 Menada Nishi Asagiri Town Kuma District Kumamoto Prefecture 868-0415 |
| supplementary information |
▼For more information, please visit the official website. https://okadomekumanoza.net/ |
Hogihogi Shrine
Will your financial luck improve? Will you win the lottery?
A shrine where you can receive "treasures"
Hōrai Hōrai Shrine, whose very name suggests good luck, is renowned as a shrine where lottery tickets are said to win.
The shrine's name originates from an employee working at this site who struck a large rock. In a dream, the rock told him to buy a lottery ticket, and he won the jackpot.
The divine blessing, of course, is improved financial fortune. The sacred rock, revered as the deity's embodiment, is still reverently enshrined as the ”Fortune-Bringing Rock.”
Additionally, a host of deities gather to bestow blessings of children, marriage, and other treasures meaningful to each person.
Every month on the first day at midnight, the first-day pilgrimage begins, drawing crowds of people praying for good fortune and happiness.
Deep in the mountains of Aso, before a crimson shrine that seems to radiate pure energy, chant "Hogi Hogi" with all your heart—and surely, wonderful treasures will come your way.
■Road Stations around
Roadside Station Asobo no Sato Kugini, ,Roadside Station Aso, ,Roadside Station Otsu
| name | Hōrai Hōrai Shrine |
|---|---|
| address (e.g. of house) | 2909-2 Kawakage, Minamiaso Village, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture 869-1411 |
| supplementary information |
▼For more information, please visit the official website. https://www.hogihogi.or.jp/ |
Tomikuji Shrine
Achieve the ultimate good fortune!
Beautiful sculptures designated as cultural properties are also a must-see.
Fukui Shrine, founded in 959 and boasting over 1,000 years of history, has long been cherished as a fortune-bringing spot known as the "shrine that attracts wealth."
The main hall is adorned with exquisite carvings throughout, and its artistic merit is still highly regarded today. It is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Kunisaki City.
The Fortune-Bringing Lion Statue holding a "lucky ball" grants blessings for prosperous descendants and fulfilled wishes when stroked.
Near the shrine is the "Tomikuji Souvenir Shop," stocked with the most powerful good luck charms. The shelves are lined with items that seem to boost your fortune just by owning them. ※Open only on weekends and holidays.
This shrine has seen an increase in visitors in recent years as a place to boost lottery luck. Surrounding it are auspicious spots like the Good Fortune Bridge and Money Cat Park. It's the perfect area for a New Year's “luck-seeking stroll.”
■Road Stations around
Kunisaki Roadside Station, ,Roadside Station Kunimi
| name | Fukui Shrine |
|---|---|
| address (e.g. of house) | 892 Tomirai, Kunisaki-cho, Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture 873-0645 |
| supplementary information |
▼For more information, please visit the official website. https://www.tomikujinjya.com/ |
Fukura Tenmangu Shrine
Cat lovers, gather round!
The Shrine with the Adorable Red Cat That's Trending on Social Media
This shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning, and is known for its blessings in academic success and warding off misfortune.
The shrine is located atop a small hill, and its excellent location offering a panoramic view of Usuki city made it a filming location for the movie "It's Tough Being a Man."
Among these shrines, the one currently drawing attention is the "Spirit-Summoning Red Cat Shrine (Ogatama Akaneko-sha)." True to its name, it enshrines a red cat, and its red cat goshuin stamp books and ema votive plaques are all the rage for their cuteness."Akaneko" refers to the once-thriving merchants of Usuki. The current shrine building was constructed by enshrining the spirit of Otsuka Kōbei, a particularly prominent figure among them, within a red cat.Everything here is red and cat-themed—from the torii gate and shrines to the lucky charms! It's said to grant various blessings, including improved fortune and business prosperity. It's the perfect first shrine visit spot for those seeking both cuteness and a boost in luck.
■Road Stations around
Roadside Station Saganoseki, ,Roadside Station Mie, ,Roadside Station Yayoi
| name | Fukura Tenmangu Shrine |
|---|---|
| address (e.g. of house) | 211 Fukura, Usuki City, Oita Prefecture 875-0053 |
| supplementary information |
▼For more information, please visit the official website. https://www.fukuragu.jp/ |
Shichifuku Shrine
（宮地嶽神社 奥の宮 一番社）
Suddenly became a hot topic thanks to Arashi's commercial
A quiet power spot where you can pray for blessings
Miyajidake Shrine, famous for its "Path of Light" featured in an Arashi commercial. The sunset shining brightly along the approach path stretching toward the sea is a breathtaking view only visible during the limited periods of February and October.
そんな神社の一角にひっそり佇むのが「奥の宮八社」。8つの異なる神社が建立しており、すべて巡ると大願が叶うと言われています。その一番社である「七福神社」はその名の通り7つの福の神が鎮座するおめでたい神社。恵比寿・大黒天・毘沙門天・弁財天・福禄寿・寿老人・布袋の七福神が祀られており、様々なご利益を受けることができます。
Located behind the main hall, it tends to be less crowded, making it an appealing spot for a peaceful visit. For those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle and quietly pray for good fortune, it's an ideal place to worship.
■Road Stations around
Roadside Station Munakata
| name | 七福神社（宮地嶽神社 奥の宮 一番社） |
|---|---|
| address (e.g. of house) | 〒811-3309 福岡県福津市宮司元町7-1 |
| supplementary information |
▼For more information, please visit the official website. https://www.miyajidake.or.jp/okunomiya/shichifukujinjya |
Koi no Ki Shrine (Mizuta Tenmangu)
The only shrine in Japan where the "God of Love" resides
If you wish for love to blossom, this is the place.
Koigami Shrine, the only shrine in Japan dedicated to Koi-no-Mikoto, the deity of love.
It is said that its origin lies in enshrining the heartfelt devotion of Lord Sugawara no Michizane, the enshrined deity, who thought of the family he left behind in the capital.
From the approach to the shrine and temple emblems, to amulets and fortune slips—everywhere you look, it's all hearts! Somehow, it feels like your love wishes might just come true.
The temple grounds are dotted with power spots related to love! Among them, the "Tree of Happiness"—where happiness is said to come if you circle it left, right, left—and the "Love-Binding Couple Dolls," which grant blessings when stroked, are must-sees. If you pay careful attention to each one, your love wishes might just come true!?
The shrine hosts numerous annual events, such as the Valentine's Ema Dedication Festival and the Tanabata Love Match Festival. Among these, the twice-yearly "Good Matchmaking Festival" draws large crowds of women.
Heart-shaped charms and temple stamps, believed to attract good relationships, are also popular. If you wish for love to blossom, this is a power spot you'll want to visit at least once.
■Road Stations around
Roadside Station Oki, ,Roadside Station Miyama, ,Roadside Station Tachibana
| name | Koi no Ki Shrine |
|---|---|
| address (e.g. of house) | 62-1 Mizuta, Chikugo City, Fukuoka Prefecture 833-0027 |
| supplementary information |
▼For more information, please visit the official website. https://www.mizuta-koinoki.jp/koinoki/ |
