receive blessings during 'Shichi-Go-San'

a traditional coming-of-age festival for children

Location: Zama, Japan

(Mamiko Yamaura, Dog owner)

"We celebrate Shichi-Go-San for human children in November. For me, this is my child, so I decided to come here (to pray) at the same time as the children's Shichi-Go-San is being celebrated."

Families visit shrines to receive blessings when

children turn three, five, and seven years old

Dogs and other pets are

traditionally not included

but times are changing as the

nation faces a plummeting birth rate

(Yoshinori Hiraga, Priest of Zama Shrine)

"The number of children is decreasing each year, and as a result, more and more people are pouring their love into their dogs and cats. We want to offer the pet owners a place at Zama Shrine for them to thank the gods when their dogs and cats reach the age of three, five and seven, and to receive blessings so that they will have a healthy and prosperous life together."

The shrine says about 120 pets will be

brought in for blessings this year