Omikuji in Japan: Fortune Slips You Can Actually Draw at Temples and Shrines

If you’ve ever visited a shrine in Japan and noticed paper strips tied to trees or wires, chances are you saw omikuji (おみくじ) traditional Japanese fortune slips.

But what exactly are omikuji, how do you use them, and what do they mean?

Let’s break it down simply.

🧧 What is Omikuji?

Omikuji are fortune-telling papers that you can draw at most Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples across Japan.

The word itself means “sacred lottery” (御神籤), and it’s exactly that: a random draw of predictions about your life—love, health, work, studies, and more.

Each slip includes:

• A general fortune level

• Specific predictions for different areas (love, travel, business, health, exams, etc.)

• Sometimes advice or warnings

Whether it’s good or bad, omikuji are seen as guidance—not fate.

✨ Omikuji Fortune Rankings

The overall fortune on your slip will usually fall into one of these categories:

• 大吉 (Daikichi) – Excellent luck (The dream draw!)

• 中吉 (Chūkichi) – Good luck

• 小吉 (Shōkichi) – Small luck

• 吉 (Kichi) – Luck

• 半吉 (Hankichi) – Half luck

• 末吉 (Suekichi) – Uncertain / future luck

• 凶 (Kyō) – Bad luck

• 大凶 (Daikyō) – Very bad luck (Rare, but it exists!)

Even a bad fortune can be seen as a chance to reflect and improve—nothing is fixed, and omikuji are more about insight than prediction.

🧾 How to Use Omikuji (Step by Step)

Here’s how to try omikuji during your trip:

1. Go to a shrine or temple

Most major ones offer omikuji, and even some smaller spots have them.

2. Make a small offering

Usually between 100–300 yen. You’ll either use:

• A box and numbered sticks

• A vending machine (modern style)

3. Draw your fortune

If it’s a box:

• Shake until a stick comes out

• Match the number to the right drawer

• Take your omikuji

4. Read it

You'll find your overall fortune + sections for love, business, travel, studies, etc.

5. Keep it or tie it

• Good luck? Keep it in your wallet or notebook

• Bad luck? Tie it to a designated rack/tree at the shrine to “leave” the bad luck behind

🗺️ Where to Try Omikuji in Japan

You can find omikuji almost anywhere—but here are a few cool and popular spots:

• Senso-ji (Tokyo) – One of the most visited temples… and known for giving a lot of bad luck slips 😅

• Meiji Jingu (Tokyo) – Offers poetic omikuji (no ranking), more like spiritual messages

• Fushimi Inari (Kyoto) – Famous for red torii, also great for a classic omikuji experience

• Kiyomizu-dera (Kyoto) – Traditional + love-specific omikuji available

• Osaka Tenmangu (Osaka) – Popular with students drawing omikuji for exam success

Omikuji are more than just fun fortune slips—they’re a simple, meaningful way to connect with Japanese culture and spirituality.

Whether you pull a 大吉 or a 大凶, it’s a reminder that life is unpredictable and that’s part of what makes it beautiful.

So next time you visit a shrine in Japan… draw an omikuji and see what the universe wants to tell you ✨