Hidden among the gleaming skyscrapers of Tokyo's busy Nihonbashi district is a tiny Shinto shrine where prayers have taken on an unusual modern meaning. Instead of asking for good health, academic success or prosperity, thousands of music lovers visit Fukutoku Shrine hoping to secure something that has become incredibly difficult to obtain in Japan: concert tickets. As major performances increasingly use lottery-based ticketing systems, fans believe the shrine's centuries-old reputation for bringing good fortune could improve their chances of seeing their favourite artists live. The result is a fascinating blend of ancient religious tradition and contemporary pop culture.
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