Much has been written and discussed about the cultural etiquette of Japan, often seen as opaque and difficult to understand. However, for foreign tourists visiting Japan, common sense can go a long way. Simple gestures like saying please and thank you or moving aside on the walkway can make a difference. It should also be obvious not to engage in inappropriate behavior at religious sites.
Unfortunately, a 61-year-old Austrian tourist failed to adhere to this basic rule during his visit. On August 23 at 11:35 in the morning, the police in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture received a call reporting that two individuals were having sex on the grounds of a shrine. The witness stated that despite not being located in a heavily populated area, the couple was engaged in their act openly and could easily be seen.
It is worth noting that determining the exact boundaries of shrines’ grounds can sometimes be challenging outside of major cities. Shrines are often situated within forests or mountainsides with minimal structures designating their territory. In some cases, it is possible for individuals to unknowingly engage in such activities within shrine boundaries without realizing it.
However, this was not the case with this incident in Kesennuma as witnesses reported seeing the Austrian man leaning against the shrine building while involved in his act.
Interestingly enough, Japan acknowledges that people may have sudden needs for private spaces and has an entire industry catering to such demands through “love hotels” offering hourly rates. A quick search reveals at least two love hotels available in Kesennuma.
Both individuals involved now face charges for disrespecting a place of worship. The woman from Kesennuma has already admitted guilt while the man has chosen not to make any statements until he consults with his lawyer. Due to concerns about him fleeing before trial, he has been arrested and taken into custody.
Sources: Miya Tele,Yahoo! Japan News/Sendai Housou,FNN Prime Online,TBS News Dig