A Shinto maiden presides a purification ceremony as people offer prayers on the first business day of the year at the Kanda Myojin shrine, which is known to be frequented by worshippers seeking good luck and prosperous business, in Tokyo, Japan, January 4, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

A Shinto maiden bows deeply during a ceremony for employees of companies wishing for prosperous business in front of an altar at the start of the new business year at Kanda Myojin Shrine, which is known to be frequented by worshippers seeking good luck and prosperous business, in Tokyo, Japan January 4, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Visitors and Shinto priests prepare for a ceremony for companies wishing for prosperous business in front of an altar at the start of the new business year at Kanda Myojin Shrine, which is known to be frequented by worshippers seeking good luck and prosperous business, in Tokyo, Japan January 4, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

A Shinto priest presides a purification ceremony as people offer prayers on the first business day of the year at the Kanda Myojin shrine, which is known to be frequented by worshippers seeking good luck and prosperous business, in Tokyo, Japan, January 4, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Visitors bow their heads to pray as the sun rises during a Shinto ritual celebrating the new year at the Shibuya Sky observation deck in Tokyo, Japan, January 1, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

A Shinto priest makes his way to attend the Ohara ceremony, the annual ritual to cleanse people of their sins and purify them, on the last day of the year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan December 31, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Shinto priests make their way after attending the Ohara ceremony, the annual ritual to cleanse people of their sins and purify them, on the last day of the year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan December 31, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Shinto priests make their way to attend the Ohara ceremony, the annual ritual to cleanse people of their sins and purify them, on the last day of the year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan December 31, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Shinto priests attend the Ohara ceremony, the annual ritual to cleanse people of their sins and purify them, on the last day of the year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan December 31, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Shinto priests attend the Ohara ceremony, the annual ritual to cleanse people of their sins and purify them, on the last day of the year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan December 31, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Shinto priests attend the Ohara ceremony, the annual ritual to cleanse people of their sins and purify them, on the last day of the year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan December 31, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

A Shinto priest makes his way to attend the Ohara ceremony, the annual ritual to cleanse people of their sins and purify them, on the last day of the year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan December 31, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Pope Francis greets a Shinto priest during the weekly general audience at the Vatican, November 16, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli 

A Shinto priest bows his head towards an altar with food offerings, before the katsuo matsuri festival in Nakatosa Town, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, May 14, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "KYUNG-HOON JAPAN SUSHI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A Shinto priest wearing a protective face mask presides a ceremony as visitors offer prayers on the first business day of the New Year at the Kanda Myojin shrine, frequented by worshippers seeking good fortune and prosperous business, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, January 4, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Visitors pray as the sun rises during a Shinto ritual celebrating the new year at the Shibuya Sky observation deck in Tokyo, Japan, January 1, 2022.​ REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Visitors pray with a Shinto priest at a ritual celebrating the new year at the Shibuya Sky observation deck in Tokyo, Japan, January 1, 2022.​ REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

A Shinto priest presides a ritual celebrating the new year after the sunrise at the Shibuya Sky observation deck in Tokyo, Japan, January 1, 2022.​ REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

A man wearing a protective mask, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, bows at a gate of a Shinto shrine after praying in Tokyo, Japan, July 29, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Shinto priests and shrine maidens guide a couple towards the wedding ceremony hall of Meijijingu shrine where the couple will get married in a traditional Japanese ceremony in Tokyo, Japan, June 5, 2021. REUTERS/Androniki Christodoulou SEARCH "TOKYO POSTCARDS" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Shinto priests participate in a monthly ritual at the Hie-Jinja Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan, June 1, 2021. Picture taken June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Shinto priests participate in a monthly ritual at the Hie-Jinja Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan, June 1, 2021. Picture taken June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Miniature fox figures bearing worshiper's wishes are placed next to a shrine building at the Hie-Jinja Shinto Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "TOKYO POSTCARDS" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Shouko Totsuka, a Miko also known as a shrine maiden, poses for a photograph as she stands inside the tunnel of Red Torii Gate at the Hie-Jinja Shinto Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "TOKYO POSTCARDS" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Shinto priests, shrine maiden and revellers attend a ritual during Sanja Matsuri, one of Tokyo's biggest traditional festivals, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, at Asakusa shrine, Japan May 15, 2021. REUTERS/Androniki Christodoulou 

Kimono-clad woman wearing a mask against COVID-19 looks at a Shinto ritual during Sanja Matsuri, one of Tokyo's biggest traditional festivals, at Asakusa shrine, Japan May 15, 2021. REUTERS/Androniki Christodoulou 

Shinto priests wearing protective masks attend a ritual during Sanja Matsuri, one of Tokyo's biggest traditional festivals, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, at Asakusa shrine, Japan May 15, 2021. REUTERS/Androniki Christodoulou 

The bride and groom are led by Shinto priests during a wedding ceremony at Meiji shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Tokyo, Japan April 3, 2021. Picture taken April 3, 2021. REUTERS/Androniki Christodoulou 

Residents of Hisanohama change Gohei, paper offering to a god in the Shinto ritual, on a torii gate in front of a memorial monument for the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami at Akiba shrine ahead of its ten years anniversary in Iwaki, Japan, March 10, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Staff members of a Shinto shrine, wearing protective face masks and shields, prepare to sell lucky charms on the first business day of the New Year at the Kanda Myojin shrine, which is known to be frequented by worshippers seeking good luck and prosperous business, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Tokyo, Japan, January 4, 2021. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Visitors and a Shinto maiden prepare for a ceremony for companies wishing for prosperous business in front of an altar on the first business day of the New Year at the Kanda Myojin shrine, which is known to be frequented by worshippers seeking good luck and prosperous business, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Tokyo, Japan, January 4, 2021. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

A Shinto priest wearing a protective face mask prepares for a ceremony for companies wishing for prosperous business on the first business day of the New Year at the Kanda Myojin shrine, which is known to be frequented by worshippers seeking good luck and prosperous business, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Tokyo, Japan, January 4, 2021. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

A Shinto priest wearing protective face mask prepares for a ceremony for companies wishing for prosperous business on the first business day of the New Year at the Kanda Myojin shrine, which is known to be frequented by worshippers seeking good luck and prosperous business, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Tokyo, Japan, January 4, 2021. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Visitors and a Shinto maiden prepare for a ceremony for companies wishing for prosperous business in front of an altar on the first business day of the New Year at the Kanda Myojin shrine, which is known to be frequented by worshippers seeking good luck and prosperous business, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Tokyo, Japan, January 4, 2021. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto priests wearing protective masks amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, stand behind a plastic curtain, installed in order to prevent infections on the first day of the new year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, January 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Staff members of Shinto shrine wearing protective face masks attend a ritual to usher in the upcoming New Year at Meiji Shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto priests walk near orange-colored markers indicating social distancing, ahead of a ritual to usher in the upcoming New Year at Meiji Shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto priests walk near orange-colored markers indicating social distancing, ahead of a ritual to usher in the upcoming New Year at Meiji Shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto priests walk ahead of a ritual to usher in the upcoming New Year at Meiji Shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Staff members of Shinto shrine wearing protective face masks attend a ritual to usher in the upcoming New Year at Meiji Shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto priests attend a ritual to usher in the upcoming New Year at Meiji Shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto priests attend a ritual to usher in the upcoming New Year at Meiji Shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto priests walk ahead of a ritual to usher in the upcoming New Year at Meiji Shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto priests attend a ritual to usher in the upcoming New Year at Meiji Shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto priests walk during a ritual to usher in the upcoming New Year at Meiji Shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

A boy wearing a protective masks sits on the decorations for the year-end and New Year's Shinto rituals at a shrine, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan December 22, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto priests wearing protective face masks prepares for a pray during Sanja Matsuri, one of the Tokyo's biggest traditional festivals, taking place after months of delay caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at Asakusa shrine in Tokyo, Japan October 18, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto maidens wearing protective face masks and face shields are seen at Yasukuni Shrine for the war dead, ahead of the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Tokyo, Japan, August 14, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

A Shinto priest walks on social distancing markers for visitors on the approach to the main shrine of Yasukuni Shrine for the war dead, ahead of the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Tokyo, Japan, August 14, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

A Shinto maiden wearing a protective face mask walks at a shrine amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan July 15, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Shinto maiden wearing protective face masks are seen at a shrine amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan July 15, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

A Shinto maiden wearing a protective face mask walks at a shrine amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan July 15, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Visitors, wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), are seen at Fushimi Inari shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan, March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido 

A visitor, wearing protective mask following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), poses for a photo at Fushimi Inari Taisha shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido 

Visitors, wearing protective masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), are seen at Fushimi Inari Taisha shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido 

A visitor, wearing protective mask following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is pictured at Fushimi Inari Taisha shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido 

A visitor, wearing protective face mask following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), walks at Fushimi Inari Taisha shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido 

Visitors, wearing protective masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), explore the wooden torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido 

Visitors, wearing protective masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), walk through wooden torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido 

Shinto maidens take a break at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan January 7, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato