What is an ema at a Japanese shrine?

Ema are small wooden plaques on which visitors write wishes for the kami, and this guide explains their history, how to fill one in and where to hang it.

Published October 20, 2026 at 8:54 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: An ema is a small wooden plaque sold at a Japanese shrine or temple, on which visitors write a wish or a word of thanks and then hang it on a rack for the kami to receive. One side usually carries a picture, often an animal or the site's emblem, and the other side is left blank for your message.

What an ema is and where the custom began

Ema are small wooden plaques used at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples as a way to put a prayer or wish in writing. Visitors hang them on a rack or board near the main hall, where the kami are believed to receive them. The word is often explained as "picture horse," and the origin is horses.

In early Shinto and folk traditions, horses were thought to carry messages between people and the kami, and real horses were offered at times of drought or hardship. Because a living horse was costly, clay and wooden horse figures came to stand in for the real thing. Over time, the offering became a painted wooden plaque, and the custom later spread into Buddhist temples as well.

Painted plaques also grew into a folk-art tradition of their own, and old ones can still be seen in shrine halls and museums. A modern visitor writing a wish on a simple plaque is taking part in a custom with a very long history.

How to buy, fill in and hang one

Ema are sold at the shrine or temple office, often the same counter that sells charms and fortune slips. Choose a design, pay the posted price and ask for a pen if none is provided at the writing table. Many sites keep pens and a small table nearby. Take your time and write clearly, since the plaque will hang in public view.

One side holds a picture, and the other side is blank for your message. There is no fixed format. A typical note includes a short wish, the date and your name, sometimes your address or age, though many visitors leave the name off. Hang the plaque on the designated rack, not on a fence or tree, and say a brief prayer.

Costs, timing and designs

Ema are usually sold for a modest fee that is posted at the counter, and prices vary by shrine, temple and design. Prices commonly start at a few hundred yen, though special or large designs may cost more. Check the official page of the site for current prices, and carry small coins.

Designs range widely. Common images include the animal of the zodiac year, the shrine's emblem, local scenery, deities and seasonal motifs such as cherry blossoms or autumn leaves. Typical plaques are small enough to hold in one hand, about 15 centimeters wide. Some sites change their designs each year, so a plaque can double as a keepsake if you choose to take a blank one home and fill it in later.

Opening hours follow the shrine or temple office, and a rack may be full at New Year, exam season and popular festivals. At those times, staff may collect plaques more often. Visiting on a quieter day often gives more time to read the designs and choose one that feels right.

What people wish for and how to write it

People write wishes about school exams, health, safe childbirth, finding a partner, a successful business, travel safety and thanks for good fortune received. Because the plaque hangs in public, many writers keep the message short and positive. Simple lines such as a hope to pass an exam or to stay healthy are common in Japanese; visitors can write in English, in their own language or in Japanese with help.

Visitors from overseas are welcome to write in any language, and many shrines have racks full of messages in English, Chinese, Korean and other languages. If you prefer privacy, you can write a general wish rather than a personal detail. Writing in your own words is more important than using the exact phrasing of other plaques.

Who writes ema, and unusual designs

Ema suit anyone who wants a quiet moment of reflection or a small souvenir with a personal message. Students, families, couples and solo travelers all use them. Children enjoy choosing a design, and an older traveler might appreciate the unhurried pace of writing a few sentences.

Some shrines specialize in a particular theme, such as study, matchmaking or safe driving, and their ema reflect that focus. A few sites sell ema with anime or themed art. Practices differ between Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and not every site sells them, so check signs or ask staff before you plan on writing one.

Because ema carry a picture and a message, they also make unusual keepsakes for people who like art or calligraphy. Collectors sometimes choose a plaque at each major shrine they visit, treating the pictures as a small record of places seen.

What happens to ema afterward, and common mistakes

Plaques remain on the rack for a period, and then they are ritually burned at special ceremonies, which is a way of releasing the wish respectfully. Because of this, ema are not meant to be taken down by visitors, and they should not be removed or read aloud for fun. Some people take their plaque home after hanging it, but it is simply not the usual practice.

Common mistakes include writing on the picture side, hanging the plaque on a railing not meant for it, or leaving a negative wish about another person. Kind, positive wishes are the usual spirit of the custom. It is also considered polite to avoid photographing other people's messages in detail, since those words may be personal.

Preparing your own ema

Decide your wish before you arrive and bring a pen with permanent ink if you prefer your own. Many sites provide pens, but a pen in your bag saves time. Allow a few minutes at the rack, and avoid blocking the walkway when you write.

Pair ema with other shrine activities, such as a charm, a fortune slip or a goshuin stamp, but treat each as a separate gesture. The Japan National Tourism Organization's guide to shrine and temple stamps also describes ema as votive tablets on which a wish is written and hung at the site. Details differ between sites, so check the shrine's official page for current prices, designs and rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to write in Japanese on an ema?

No. Shrines welcome messages in any language, and racks often include English and other languages. Keep it short and positive. If you want to include a Japanese word, ask staff or use a translation tool, and double-check the characters before writing them in ink.

Can visitors take an ema home?

Ema are normally bought to be hung at the shrine or temple, and plaques are later burned in a ceremony. If you simply want a souvenir, you can often buy a plaque and keep it unwritten, but ask staff to be sure. Some visitors take a photo of their plaque instead.

Are ema only found at Shinto shrines?

No. They began in Shinto traditions and later spread into Buddhist practice, so many temples also sell them. The designs may differ, with temples showing Buddhist figures and shrines showing the kami, animals or emblems. Both usually have a rack nearby for hanging.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japanese Culture and Customs is available on Amazon.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: What is a goshuin and how do you get one?, What is hatsumode and how do visitors take part? and Tanabata Wishes: Writing on Tanzaku Strips.