Break Up With Bad Habits At One Of Kyoto's Most Obscure Shrines

Tucked away at the end of a twisting cobblestone path and hidden from the main streets of a city known for its 1600+ shrines and monuments, Yasui Konpira is one of Kyoto’s most eccentric and intriguing landmarks. Commonly referred to as the “Break Up Shrine,” the small Shinto shrine allows visitors to pray for assistance in breaking up with all kinds of situations – bad habits, poor work conditions, or even an overbearing mistress. In the center of the shrine is a large white sculpture covered in a mass of papers. Each patron says a prayer on each side of the monument before crawling on their hands and knees through a small opening of the stone sculpture, anxiously writing their wish and gluing it onto the structure itself.

Landmarks like these are often overshadowed by those with more expansive and breathtaking views such as the Bamboo Forest in Arishiyama or the Imperial Palace. However, as tourism continues to grow in Japan, local curators like Sara Aiko Coe of Curated Kyoto are doing their part in revealing some of the more offbeat destinations for those looking to avoid the tourist traps that overwhelm our social media feeds.

“I love New York,” Sara explained, “but what makes me love the city and makes me continually go back isn’t the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, but rather the communities you find at the neighborhood bars and out of the way restaurants and spaces.” Sara speaks to a larger growing trend of travelers who want to live like a local. As far off foreign destinations continue to become more accessible through cheaper international routes, those looking to visit a new city are seeking more than just a pretty photograph – they’re seeking unique experiences.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.