I didn’t collect a lot of souvenirs when I was in Japan, mostly because I was worried about ho

I didn’t collect a lot of souvenirs when I was in Japan, mostly because I was worried about how to bring them all home later. Now that I am home, I wish I had given myself free rein to pick up things I liked during my travels, and just shipped an extra box back.  What I did collect are these omamori, small protective charms from shrines and temples. They make great souvenirs since they’re so small, and each design is unique. They can be kind of pricey for their size, so I usually only bought them at places I felt a connection to, or just if the design really caught my eye. But now of course I wish I had collected way more! I went to countless shrines and temples, but I only ended up with 8 omamori (unless some of them are still lost in my suitcase somewhere, which is very likely. I’m pretty sure I got one at Enoshima…) Documenting for my own reference, and anyone else who’s interested.Top row, left to right:Meiji Jingu, Tokyo, 11.23.2014. For victory.Kinkakuji, Kyoto, 03.30.2015. For good luck. Kobo Daishi Gobyo in Okunoin, Koyasan, 04.01.2015. For protection from bad luck.    Hokkaido Jingu, Sapporo, 04.29.2015, then replaced 01.12.2016. For good luck.Bottom row, left to right:Katsuoji, Osaka, 04.17.2016. For good health. Ujigami Jinja, Uji, 04.29.2016. For success in studying. Itsukushima Jinja, Hiroshima, 05.02.2016. General good luck/protection I guess, it doesn’t say. Probably meant for children and schoolgirls, but the deer were too cute to pass up.    Ishiura Jinja, Kanazawa, 08.12.2016. For breaking through challenges.  -- source link

More pics about