Omikuji: Discovering Japan's Spiritual Fortune-Telling Tradition at Shrines and Temples

Will your fortune bring you great luck—or a twist of fate?

When you visit a Japanese shrine or temple, you may see slips of paper tied to trees or racks, gently swaying in the breeze. These are omikuji—traditional fortune slips that have guided people’s hopes and worries for centuries. With a single draw, you can discover predictions about love, health, travel, or even your destiny.

In this article, we’ll explore the origins of omikuji, how to draw one, what each fortune means, and the unique ways people in Japan enjoy this timeless tradition.

What Is Omikuji?

Omikuji (おみくじ) are traditional Japanese fortune slips drawn at shrines and temples to learn about one’s luck. They are used to predict not only overall fortune—good or bad—but also specific aspects of daily life such as money, love, travel, health, missing items, and even the chance of meeting someone special.

Many omikuji include a short waka poem or guiding words, offering wisdom to help shape one’s decisions. Each shrine or temple adds its own unique touch, so the experience can vary from place to place.

Beyond fortune-telling, omikuji reflect a deep layer of Japanese faith: before beginning something important, people would first seek the will of the gods. By drawing lots in a fair and impartial way, it was believed that divine intention would be revealed, guiding people to act with sincerity.

For modern visitors, omikuji is both a playful and meaningful tradition—an easy way to experience Japanese spirituality while discovering a personal message for your journey.

The Origins of Omikuji – A Glimpse into History

Ancient Beginnings

The roots of omikuji lie in ancient Japan, where drawing lots was used to seek the will of the gods in matters of national importance, such as government decisions or the selection of successors.

Heian Period – The First Prototypes

During the Heian period (794–1185), Buddhist monks created the prototype of today’s omikuji. These early lots were marked with numbers and verses written in Chinese-style poetry (kanshi), expressing fortunes. At first, they were not personal but used for official and religious guidance.

Kamakura and Sengoku Periods – Expanding Roles

By the Kamakura period (1185–1333), omikuji evolved into a practice for ordinary worshippers, allowing individuals to draw personal fortunes. Later, in the Sengoku period (15th–16th century), even samurai were said to consult omikuji to divine the outcome of battles.

Edo Period – A Popular Custom

With the rise of shrine and temple visits in the Edo period (1603–1868), omikuji became a familiar experience for common people. The custom of tying bad fortunes to a tree branch also began in this era, based on the wordplay of “musubu” (結ぶ, to tie), which also means to “tie bonds” in love and destiny. This tradition continues today, though many shrines now provide special racks to protect the trees.

Meiji Period – From Kanshi to Waka

In the Meiji period (1868–1912), the government’s separation of Shinto and Buddhism (Shinbutsu Bunri) brought another change. Since shrines could no longer use Buddhist-derived omikuji with Chinese poems, they began attaching waka poetry, giving birth to the Shinto-style omikuji seen today.

Modern Times – A Living Tradition

Even now, omikuji are not only personal fortune slips but also a sacred practice in some shrines, where they are still used during rituals to divine the gods’ will.

Types of Fortunes – From Great Blessings to Curses

When you draw an omikuji, the first thing you’ll notice is its rank of fortune. These range from the happiest outcome to the unluckiest:

Daikichi (大吉) – Great blessing, the rarest and most fortunate result
Chūkichi (中吉) – Middle blessing, still very positive
Shōkichi (小吉) – Small blessing, a modest but welcome fortune
Suekichi (末吉) – Future blessing, good luck may come later
Kichi (吉) – Blessing, though its position varies by tradition
Kyō (凶) – Curse, warning of misfortune ahead
Daikyō (大凶) – Great curse, the rarest but least welcome result

Beyond this overall rank, the omikuji goes into detail about different aspects of life, such as health, work, love, travel, studies, and even finding lost items. Each section offers a short piece of advice to guide you.

Two Ranking Systems of Omikuji

Interestingly, not all shrines and temples follow the same order of ranks. The biggest difference lies in how they treat “kichi” (吉):

Pattern 1: 大吉 → 吉 → 中吉 → 小吉 → 末吉 → 凶 → 大凶
Pattern 2: 大吉 → 中吉 → 小吉 → 吉 → 末吉 → 凶 → 大凶

In the first pattern, kichi is seen as a very good fortune, just below daikichi. In the second, it is ranked lower, after shōkichi.

What If You Draw a Bad Fortune?

And don’t worry—even if you get “kyō,” it’s not the end of the world! Many omikuji labeled as bad luck also include encouraging advice or lessons that help you move forward positively.

There is also a custom called “tying back” the bad luck (kyō-gaeshi). If you receive a bad fortune, you can tie the slip of paper to a designated rack or tree branch within the shrine grounds. This act symbolizes leaving misfortune behind and is believed to turn the bad luck around.

The idea of “tying” (musubu) also carries a deeper meaning in Japanese culture—tying bonds with the gods. By doing so, the act transforms into something hopeful, guiding your life toward a better direction.

What to Do with Your Omikuji – Tie or Keep?

After reading your omikuji, you have two common choices: tie it at the shrine or take it home.

Many visitors choose to tie their fortune to a rack or tree branch within the shrine grounds. This practice is not only for bad fortunes—it also symbolizes forming a bond with the gods and entrusting your future to them.
Others prefer to keep their omikuji and carry it with them, treating it like a small charm. A positive fortune can be a source of encouragement in daily life, while even a challenging message may serve as a reminder to stay mindful.

For travelers, this moment becomes part of the fun. Whether tied to the shrine or tucked into your bag, your omikuji serves as a small but meaningful souvenir of your journey in Japan.

Omikuji in Modern Japan – Fun and Creativity

Modern Variations

While omikuji has a long history, today it has also taken on playful and creative forms that go beyond the traditional.

Vending machine omikuji: Some shrines and tourist spots offer fortune slips from machines, making the experience quick, convenient, and even surprising.
English and multilingual versions: To welcome international visitors, many shrines now provide omikuji with translations, so you can fully understand your fortune.
Love omikuji: Special slips focused only on romance, offering advice about love, marriage, or meeting someone new.
Character collaborations: In recent years, you can even find omikuji decorated with popular anime or mascot characters, blending tradition with pop culture.

Unique Styles of Omikuji

Beyond these, there are also unique types of omikuji that add extra charm to the experience:

Mizu-omikuji: A fortune that appears only when the paper is placed in water, creating a magical reveal.
Ema-style omikuji: Fortune slips designed like small wooden plaques. After reading your fortune, you can write your wish on the plaque and hang it at the shrine’s ema rack, just like a traditional ema.
Charm omikuji: A small omikuji slip hidden inside a lucky charm or pouch. After drawing your fortune, you can keep the charm as a souvenir and protective amulet, making it both a reading and a keepsake at the same time.
Tai-mikuji: Fortunes are hidden inside colorful red sea bream figures (tai), which visitors “fish” out with a small rod. The act of catching a lucky fish makes the experience playful and memorable.

Omikuji as Entertainment

You can now encounter omikuji not only at shrines and temples, but also in tourist attractions and theme parks, where they are enjoyed as part of cultural entertainment. This mix of tradition and fun makes omikuji an experience that continues to evolve with the times.

In fact, omikuji sometimes appear in everyday life as well—for example, attached to New Year’s “otoshidama” envelopes given to children. Even without visiting a shrine, people can enjoy a light-hearted fortune-telling experience at home during the holiday season.

How to Draw an Omikuji – Step by Step

Drawing an omikuji is simple, and anyone can try it when visiting a shrine or temple. The exact method can vary slightly depending on the place, but the flow is usually like this:

1. Make a small payment

The fee is usually around 100–300 yen. At some shrines, you place a coin in a small offering box before drawing. In others, you first draw a slip and then pay at a counter, or pay in advance at a booth before receiving the omikuji.

2. Draw a stick or slip

Shake a wooden box until a numbered stick comes out, or pull a folded slip directly, depending on the shrine’s style.

3. Receive your fortune

If you drew a numbered stick, match the number with the corresponding drawer or ask the shrine staff to hand you the omikuji paper. In other cases, the slip you draw is the fortune itself—simply open it and read what’s written inside.

4. Read your fortune

Check the overall rank (like daikichi or kyō) and the specific advice for areas such as love, health, or travel.
Many omikuji are written in Japanese, so it might be difficult to understand every detail. Don’t worry—shrines often include simple English explanations, or you can ask staff or use a translation app. Even just recognizing the fortune rank (大吉, 吉, 凶, etc.) can make the experience enjoyable.

5. Tie or keep

If you wish, tie the slip at the shrine to leave your fortune with the gods, or carry it home as a personal charm.

Each shrine may have its own variation, but the process is always easy and welcoming—even for first-time visitors.

Where You Can Draw Omikuji in English (and Other Languages)

For international visitors, language can sometimes be a barrier—but many famous shrines and temples now offer English or multilingual omikuji, so you can fully enjoy the experience:

Sensō-ji (Tokyo, Asakusa) – One of Japan’s most visited temples. Thousands of visitors draw fortunes here every day, and English omikuji are available for travelers.
Official website
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū (Kamakura) – Offers omikuji in English, making it easy for non-Japanese speakers to understand their results.
Official website
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (Saitama) – Famous for its playful tai-mikuji (sea bream fortunes). Here, omikuji are available in English, Chinese, and Korean.
Official website (Japanese only)
Kifune Shrine (Kyoto) – Known for mizu-omikuji (water fortunes). By scanning a QR code, visitors can view translations in English, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Korean.
Official website
Tōdai-ji (Nara) – Offers English omikuji at one of Japan’s most iconic temples.
Official website
Kinkaku-ji (Kyoto) – Provides omikuji in English, Chinese, and Korean at the famous Golden Pavilion.
Official website

With these multilingual options, omikuji has become an accessible and enjoyable experience for travelers from around the world.

Conclusion – More Than Just Fortune

Omikuji is more than a simple fortune slip—it is a window into Japan’s unique blend of faith, culture, and everyday joy. From its ancient role in seeking the will of the gods, to today’s playful and creative versions, omikuji has always carried messages that guide, comfort, and inspire.

Whether you draw a daikichi (great blessing) or a kyō (curse), remember: every omikuji is an invitation to reflect, learn, and move forward with hope. Tying it at the shrine or keeping it as a charm, the choice is yours—but either way, it becomes a personal connection with Japan’s traditions.

So on your next visit to a shrine or temple, why not try an omikuji? It may not only reveal your fortune but also leave you with a meaningful memory of Japan to carry in your heart.