What is omikuji and how do you read a fortune slip?

Omikuji are paper fortunes drawn at shrines and temples, and this guide explains the ranks, the cost, how to read the slip and what to do with it afterward.

Published October 20, 2026 at 8:51 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Omikuji are paper fortune slips drawn at Japanese shrines and temples, usually for about 100 to 200 yen. The slip gives an overall rank, from great blessing (daikichi) down to misfortune (kyo), plus advice on topics such as health, travel, work and love. Many people take a good slip home and tie a poor one to a designated rack or tree on the grounds.

What omikuji are and where they come from

Omikuji are fortunes written on narrow strips of paper and offered at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The practice is often described as about a thousand years old, with origins linked to a Heian-period monk and to older forms of seeking divine guidance. Today the slips are a light, popular part of a visit, especially around New Year and at busy sightseeing sites.

Unlike a horoscope, an omikuji is drawn on the spot and is meant for the moment. The slip includes a short poem or message and a list of topics, such as health, study, business, travel, relationships and lost items. Many visitors treat it as a small ritual and a keepsake rather than a prediction to be taken too seriously.

Most slips are small enough to fold into a wallet, and the paper is often decorated with simple printing or a shrine crest. Some temples follow a traditional numbered sequence, while others write their own verses, so two slips from different places can feel quite different even when the rank is the same.

How to draw one, step by step

Look for the omikuji stand, usually near the main hall or the amulet counter. A sign states the price, and the offering is placed in a small box or paid to staff. In the traditional method you shake a metal or wooden container until a numbered stick falls out, then give the number to staff or take the matching slip from a drawer.

Other sites use simple self-service boxes, vending machines or novelty containers shaped like animals. At some places, shrine maidens hand the slip to you directly. Open it slowly and read it all, since the advice is often more useful than the headline rank. Some sites provide slips with English translations, so look for signs or ask at the counter.

If the line is long, stand back from the stand while reading your slip so others can reach it. Take a moment to note the overall rank and the topic list, then decide whether to keep the slip or tie it up, since practice differs from site to site. Many visitors photograph the slip as a record before tying or storing it.

Fortune ranks and what they mean

One widely cited ranking runs from dai-kichi (great blessing), kichi (blessing) and sho-kichi (small blessing) through han-kichi (half blessing), sue-kichi (future blessing) and sue-sho-kichi (small future blessing), down to kyo (misfortune). Some sites add chu-kichi (middle blessing) or dai-kyo (great misfortune), and the exact order and set vary by shrine or temple.

Do not worry if your rank is lower than you hoped. Even a poor slip normally contains advice on how to improve things, and many people regard it as a gentle reminder to be careful rather than a bad omen. A good fortune such as daikichi is celebrated, though a middle rank is often considered balanced and perfectly pleasant.

The topic list is where the practical detail lives. Typical headings cover wishes, illness, travel, business, study, marriage and moving house, each with a one-line comment, such as to proceed with care or to wait patiently. Reading these lines slowly, perhaps with a translation tool, is the most rewarding part of the activity.

Costs, timing and where you will find them

The Japan National Tourism Organization notes that omikuji usually cost about 100 to 200 yen, though the amount varies by site. Carry small coins so that paying is quick. Omikuji are available throughout the year at many shrines and temples, and New Year is the busiest time, when lines can form at famous sites.

Opening hours follow the shrine or temple office, so a late-afternoon visit may find the stand closed. Special seasonal or themed slips are sold at some sites, and they may cost more. Because details differ from place to place, check the official page of the shrine or temple for current prices, language options and hours before you go.

Who enjoys fortune slips

Omikuji suit nearly every visitor: couples, families, solo travelers and older travelers all enjoy them. Children often like the shaking and the surprise, and parents can read the advice aloud. Travelers who do not read Japanese should look for English-language versions, which are offered at a number of well-known sites, or use a translation tool for the key lines.

A few places use unusual forms, such as vending machines, mascot-shaped containers or even a mechanical figure that hands out the slip. These can be fun, but their rules and prices vary. If a site has no omikuji at all, that is not unusual; not every temple or shrine offers them.

Tying, keeping and common mistakes

A widely known custom is to tie a poor fortune to a pine tree or a rack of wires on the grounds. The idea is linked to a pun: the word for pine, matsu, sounds like the verb "to wait," so the bad luck is thought to stay behind. A good fortune can be kept in a wallet or book, or tied up as well, depending on personal preference.

Common mistakes include tying the slip to the wrong place, such as a tree or fence not meant for it, and drawing again right away because the result was disappointing. Look for a clearly marked rack, and follow any posted instructions. Avoid leaving the slip on the ground or throwing it away on the grounds, since a rack is provided for that purpose.

Adding omikuji to your visit

Add omikuji to a shrine or temple visit after praying, with a few 100 yen coins ready. If you want to keep the slip, bring a small envelope or notebook to protect it. If you want an English version, check the site's official page or ask at the counter before drawing.

Treat the experience as light-hearted. The advice may be general, and ranks are not an official forecast. Practices vary by site, so use the tips here as typical guidance, and check the shrine or temple's own information for current details such as hours, prices and where to tie a slip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it bad luck to draw omikuji twice?

There is no single rule. An omikuji is usually thought of as a message for that moment, so many visitors draw just once per visit, while others draw at each different shrine or temple they visit. If you are unsure, ask staff or follow signs at the stand.

Should a good omikuji be tied to the rack too?

Tradition says to keep a good fortune, but practice varies. Some people tie any slip, including a good one, in the belief that it strengthens the blessing. Others take it home. Either choice is acceptable, so follow local signs and your own preference.

Can non-Japanese speakers read omikuji?

Often yes. A number of well-known shrines and temples offer slips in English and other languages, and signs usually mark where to find them. If a slip is only in Japanese, a translation tool can help with the main advice lines, though poetry can lose meaning in translation.

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

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