Omikuji, Ema and Omamori: Shrine Fortunes and Charms

A friendly guide to omikuji fortunes, ema wish plaques and omamori charms at Japanese shrines and temples, with how to use each respectfully.

Published October 18, 2026 at 6:10 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Omikuji are paper fortunes drawn at shrines and temples, ema are wooden plaques for writing wishes, and omamori are protective charms carried for luck. All three are inexpensive and open to visitors of any background.

Almost every Japanese shrine has a small counter or wooden rack where visitors linger, reading slips of paper, scribbling on wooden plaques, or choosing a tiny silk pouch. These three items are omikuji, ema and omamori, and together they are some of the most charming parts of a shrine visit. They are inexpensive, easy to try, and full of meaning. In this guide you will learn what each one is, where it comes from, and how to enjoy it with confidence and respect.

What Is an Omikuji?

An omikuji (おみくじ) is a fortune written on a strip of paper, drawn at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The name literally means "sacred lot." You make a small offering, then pick one at random from a box or a container, and the slip tells you what kind of luck to expect. In some places the fortunes are dispensed by a machine, which is a fun sight in itself.

The results run along a scale. The best is dai-kichi (great blessing), followed by kichi (blessing), sho-kichi (small blessing), han-kichi (half blessing), sue-kichi (future blessing) and sue-sho-kichi (future small blessing). The unluckiest is kyo (misfortune), and some shrines add other levels, such as chu-kichi (middle blessing) or dai-kyo (great misfortune). Many slips also give short guidance on topics like health, travel, work and relationships, so they read like friendly advice more than a prediction.

Fortune slips have been part of temple life for a very long time. A container of lots dated 1409 survives at Tendai-ji in Iwate Prefecture, and in the Edo period the monk Tenkai helped popularize the standard set of verses. Because of this long history, many Japanese visitors treat a fortune as a thoughtful nudge, not a rigid prediction, and you are welcome to do the same.

What Should You Do With Your Omikuji?

A good fortune can be kept in your wallet or bag for luck, or tied at the shrine to strengthen its effect. A less happy result is traditionally folded and tied to a pine tree or a rack of wires set aside for the purpose. This custom is linked to a pun: the word for pine, matsu, sounds like the verb "to wait," so the bad luck is said to wait at the tree rather than follow you home. It is a gentle, optimistic idea that turns a poor result into a small ritual of release.

The practice has a long history. The system is thought to be modeled on Chinese divination lots, and the classic set of one hundred verses is traditionally linked to the monk Ryogen, though the verses draw on older sources. Over the centuries the sets became standard at many temples and shrines. Today the experience is a favorite for visitors, especially around New Year, when long lines form at popular shrines.

What Is an Ema and How Do You Use It?

An ema (絵馬) is a small wooden plaque on which worshippers write their wishes or prayers. The word means "picture horse," and the custom grew from an older practice of donating real horses to shrines to win the favor of the kami (the spirits or deities honored in Shinto). In time, wooden plaques painted with horses replaced the live animals, and those plaques later developed into the ema seen today. Many modern ema carry a picture on the reverse side, and designs vary from shrine to shrine. The Wikipedia entry on ema has more on their history.

Using one is simple. Buy an ema from the shrine office, write your wish on one side, and hang it on the rack provided. The kami are believed to receive the prayers there, and the plaques are later ritually burned at special ceremonies. Reading the wishes on a busy rack can be touching, because you can see the many hopes people bring: health, safe travel, success in studies, love and family happiness. As a visitor, keep your wish positive and respectful, and avoid removing or reading other people's plaques too closely.

What Is an Omamori Charm?

An omamori (お守り) is a small amulet sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples to bring luck and protection. Some are general blessings, while others are made for specific needs such as traffic safety, exams, business, marriage, pregnancy or family well-being. Modern omamori are usually wrapped in brocaded silk and contain a small piece of paper or wood inscribed with a prayer. They are sold to anyone, regardless of religious background, which makes them a popular souvenir for travelers.

There are a few customs worth knowing. Omamori are not meant to be opened, since opening one is thought to lose its protective power. They are usually carried in a bag or pocket, or attached to a backpack, phone strap or key chain. After about a year, the charm is returned to the shrine or temple where it was bought, often around New Year, where it is retired respectfully and traditionally burned. Many people then buy a fresh one to continue the cycle of thanks and protection.

Printed charms from shrines and temples became popular in the Tokugawa period or later, and wearing miniature charms is a more recent habit, particularly common in cities. Today you can find omamori for nearly every part of daily life, which makes them easy to match to your own plans. A small charm for safe travel, for example, is a popular gift to bring home for family and friends.

How Can Visitors Enjoy These Charms Respectfully?

Start at the main hall, where you make a small offering and a quiet prayer, then visit the shrine office to browse. The staff are accustomed to visitors from abroad, and many shrines have English signs or leaflets. Choose items that match your intentions, whether that is safe travel, good health or a bit of luck for the road ahead. As of autumn 2026, prices and available designs vary by shrine, so check the shrine's own information if you are planning a visit.

Treat each item as a meaningful object, not a mere trinket. Keep omamori clean and handle them with care, and tie your omikuji in the designated place instead of leaving it on the ground or on a tree branch. Take photos politely, avoid blocking the counters, and keep voices low near the main hall. If you are unsure of a custom, a polite question to shrine staff is welcome, and most people are happy to explain.

Quick Takeaways for Your Shrine Visit

Omikuji are paper fortunes you draw by chance, ema are wooden plaques where you write wishes, and omamori are protective charms you carry for the year. Good fortunes may be kept or tied at the shrine, bad ones are tied to the designated rack, and old charms are returned to where they came from. The whole experience is meant to be thoughtful, hopeful and fun.

Whether you walk away with a great blessing or a small one, the real gift is a moment of calm and curiosity at a place that has welcomed travelers for generations. Take your time at the counter, enjoy the artwork on the charms, and carry home a small memory that fits in your pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you do with a bad omikuji?

A bad fortune is traditionally folded and tied to a pine tree or a designated rack at the shrine. The custom is linked to a pun, since the word for pine, matsu, sounds like the verb for waiting, so the bad luck is said to wait there.

How long should you keep an omamori?

Omamori are usually replaced about once a year. Return the old charm to the shrine or temple where you bought it, often around New Year, where it is retired respectfully and traditionally burned. Avoid opening the pouch, since that is thought to lose its protective power.

What is an ema?

An ema is a small wooden plaque on which worshippers write a wish or prayer. The name means picture horse, from the old custom of donating horses to shrines. You hang it on the rack at the shrine, and the plaques are later ritually burned.