Students visit Yushima Tenjin shrine in Tokyo’s Bunkyo district and write their wishes on a wooden plaque, called an ema. /CFP Photo

The Yushima Tenjin shrine is a well-known location for students to offer prayers for the coming school year, especially for those preparing for college entrance exams in April. /CFP Photo

Those praying purchase an ema, upon which they write their wishes and then hang up around the shrine. /CFP Photo