Japan, like anywhere else, has its fair share of beliefs, myths, and urban legends. There are even some areas of the country regular people aren’t allowed to visit as they’re considered dangerous or downright cursed.
On the other hand, there are places you can go – but local legends urge couples to avoid them like the plague. Some are said to be bad luck. Others aren’t haunted or hexed – they’re just places you shouldn’t go until you and your partner have truly tested your relationship.
Japan’s infamous relationship black holes
“If you go there, your relationship is OVER!” Such urban legends aren’t uncommon around the world. Bali, for example, is home to the infamous “Bali curse,” which holds that any unmarried couple who visits is doomed to break up six months later. Legend has it the curse is the result of a jilted princess who doomed all lovers forever after her Prince Charming broke his promise of betrothment.
Japan is no stranger to haunted hotspots. Osoroshidokoro on the island of Tsushima is supposed to be so dangerous (osoroshidokoro literally means “the scary place”) that just seeing the stones marking the burial place of Tendo, the local leader of a religious tradition from China, inflicts a deathly curse.
Losing the love of your life can feel like a fate worse than death. If you include your relationship in that bucket, you’ll want to avoid some of the places below, as taking a date or significant other there is said to spell certain doom for your coupling.
The swan boats at Inokashira Park
Inokashira Park in Tokyo’s Kichijoji is a breathtaking park known for its scenic grounds and large pond. Founded in 1917, the grounds surround the 43,000 square meter Inokashira Pond, where couples can spend the afternoon together pedaling on swan-shaped boats.
But it’s these boats that are cause for concern. Much to the chagrin of whoever owns and operates them, urban legend has it that any couple who rides these boats isn’t long for this world.
Why all the hubbub, bub? Well, the pond is said to be the dwelling place of Benzaiten (弁財天), or Sarasvati. Benzaiten is a protector goddess of Buddhism and one of the seven gods of good fortune in Japan, who’s supposed to help those in economic need. However, Benzaiten is also said to be a jealous god, hence she’s hellbent on breaking up any couple who enters her domain.
Some people have more practical theories. According to Ooe Hideki writing for President Online, it may be because waiting in a long line for a public attraction causes couples to fight, leading to a break-up. “If you’re going to fight over that,” Ooe remarks, “the couple probably weren’t marriage material, and it wasn’t meant to be from the get-go.”
Despite the danger, there seems to be no lack of couples willing to take a boat ride in Inokashira together. Whether you decide to roll the dice is up to you.
The boats at Ueno Park
What is it with boats and cursed relationships in Japan? Or, more specifically, what’s the deal with all the cursed ponds? Because urban legend also holds that Shinobazu Pond at Tokyo’s Ueno Park will be the death of your union.
The reason appears to be the same as in the case of Inokashira: Benzaiten doesn’t like happy couples and wants you to herself. This “jealous goddess” theme is common and is also said to pertain to Sengen Shrine, a key entrance to Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Enoshima
Benzaiten once again gets a bad rap for visitors to Enoshima, where her curse is said to lead to couples who visit the location dissolving their union. That’s a tough one for geek couples, as Enoshima is famous as the backdrop for a slew of manga and anime, such as Slam Dunk. That makes it hard to avoid for otaku pairings.
(Besides that, Enoshima is just a beautiful spot that everyone should prioritize on their next Japan trip. I say go visit, curses be damned!)
Tokyo Disneyland
Finally – a relationship breakup spot that no one’s blaming on a goddess! Disneyland, which has operated in Tokyo successfully for over 40 years, also has a rep as a common spot where couples decide to call it quits.
No need to reach for the supernatural here, though. The site Castel lists some practical reasons why Disneyland might be a popular parting point:
- This could be the scene where a girl finds that her partner is a cheapskate at heart.
- You can discover that you and your partner like different things and don’t have much in common.
- The sheer exhaustion and stress of spending hours at a crowded theme park with long lines could be the last straw for a doomed couple.
My own suspicion is that Disneyland’s bad reputation here is also partly due to its storytelling power. If you break up at Disneyland, it becomes part of your personal legend, a story that you’re bound to repeat to friends. And that, ultimately, leads to the famous couple’s destination earning a bad rap.
Lake Mashuu
Boats once again figure into the urban legend swirling around this lake in Kawakamigun, Hokkaido. However, there’s a twist. If the lake is foggy when you get there and stays that way, then your relationship is destined to last a long time. However, if the fog clears while you’re on the boat, then it’s time to say “thank you, next.”
Kaiyukan
Some Japanese commentators say it’s odd for Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan to make the list. As home to a large ferris wheel, Kaiyukan should be an ideal spot for inducing what in Japanese is called 吊り橋効果 (tsuribashi-kouka), or the “rope-bridge effect,” where you take a date to someplace slightly dangerous in the hopes they’ll cling fiercely to you.
However, a popular date spot like Kaiyukan is also statistically likely to end up becoming a popular breakup spot. Hence it makes the list – not for any sort of curse, but because, like with Disneyland, a day at a crowded hangout is a crucible for any relationship.
Togetsu Bridge
Don’t look back in anger, Liam Gallagher advised us. But at Togetsu Bridge in Kyoto, it’s best not to look back at all if you want to stay together.
Togetsu is an ancient bridge, having first been constructed in Japan’s Jouwa era in 836 by the Buddhist monk Dosho. Its current support pillars date back to 1934. It’s a famous tourist attraction for obvious reasons.
However, it’s apparently a dangerous spot for couples to cross. If either of you looks back when crossing then it’s oshimai for your kankei.
Oh, also, don’t take a boat ride on the river or you’ll break up, too. In fact, at this point, just steer clear of all boats in Japan forever if you’re in a happy relationship. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Good spots for relationships?
If there are cursed relationship spots in Japan, then certainly, you might ask, there must be blessed spots as well? And indeed there are! These enmusubi (縁結び) spots are typically Shinto shrines that couples – either married or those with the intention of marrying – can go to fortify the bonds of their relationship via blessings from the gods.
The most well-known enmusubi shrine is perhaps the titanic Izumo Taisha in Izumo Shimane Prefecture. There’s also Kawagoe Hikawa in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture; Keta Taisha in Hakui, Ishikawa Prefecture; and Tokyo Daijingu, among others.
You can visit any of these relationship “power spots” as a way of resignifying your commitment to one another. Especially if there are boats in your foreseeable future.
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Sources
The Bali Break-Up Curse. Bali Now!
カップルでは行かないで！”行くと別れる”ジンクスがある観光地7選. ReTrip
都市伝説ってホント？ 別れると噂のデートスポット10選. Infoseek
【不忍池】カップルで行くと別れる？※弁天様が嫉妬？※上野恩賜公園※元々は琵琶湖の竹生島を指してた. Kokoro no Momihogushiya
なぜ恋人たちは井の頭公園のボートで別れるか. President Online
都市伝説ってホント？ 別れると噂のデートスポット10選. Koigaku
【必見】ディズニーでカップルは別れる？6つの理由＆5つの対策！ディズニーデートを楽しめ！Castel
