Mainichi Shrine sits on the roof of Palaceside Building in Takebashi, Tokyo. It was founded to enshrine charms readers sent to pray for the safe round-the-world flight of The Mainichi Newspapers' aircraft "Nippon-go." After Nippon-go's success, "the plane won't fall" became "won't fall" — so students pray not to "fall" in exams or grades, and business owners that "performance won't fall." Visits from exam takers, students, and corporate managers have grown.
That Mainichi Shrine begins offering fortune slips today, the 13th.
That is, as virtual fortune-telling on a smartphone screen. iPhone or Android — any smartphone lets you draw a slip easily.
First, download the app "Smart Machi Ginza Shopping Street" from the download site.
The Mainichi Newspapers launched this app last March to interest young people in news through manga. Among 15 corners of latest news, current-affairs commentary, and features, touch the fortune corner to reach the page of Smart Machi's mother, Kiku Matsudo. One of seven corners featuring Smart Machi characters such as fortune-teller "Nonoka" and "Montgomery" is "Mainichi Shrine Fortune Slips."
Before an illustration of Mainichi Shrine, a fortune-slip cylinder appears; touch "Draw a fortune slip" below and fortunes from great blessing to curse appear with brief oracles.
Unlike shrine and temple slips, these are free — draw as many times as you like. Even if you get "curse," draw again at once and your luck may change. Turn misfortune into fortune.