⚡ 30-second answer: 15 shrines and temples including Senso-ji, Fushimi Inari and Meiji Jingu. Omikuji ¥100-300, English versions available, tying vs taking home means different things. Six ranks from Daikichi to Kyo are standard.
Quick reference
Value
Omikuji fee
¥100-300
English versions
Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, Fushimi and other majors
If you draw Kyo (bad luck)
Tie it at the designated rack
Ranks
Daikichi to Kyo (typically 7)
Last verified
June 2026
📖4 min read
Photo: Yen Finder Editorial
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Contents📖 ~4 min read
30-second answer
Omikuji (sacred lots) are paper fortunes drawn at shrines and temples for ¥100-300. You receive a rank — Daikichi (great blessing), Chukichi, Shokichi, Kichi, Suekichi, Kyo — along with advice on love, work, health and travel. If you draw Kyo, don't panic: tie the slip at the musubi-jo (tying rack) in the precinct to leave the bad luck with the shrine. Slips of Kichi or better are usually taken home in a wallet. Senso-ji is famous for a tough 30% Kyo rate, while Fushimi Inari and Meiji Jingu offer English versions for visitors.
🎴 Recommended Omikuji Spots Top 15
#
Shrine / Temple
Location
Fee
Feature
1
Senso-ji
Tokyo / Asakusa
¥100
30% Kyo rate, famously tough
2
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Kyoto / Fushimi
¥200
17 detailed ranks
3
Meiji Jingu
Tokyo / Harajuku
¥100
"Omigokoro" waka only, no Kyo
4
Kiyomizu-dera
Kyoto / Higashiyama
¥100
English and Chinese versions
5
Izumo Taisha
Shimane / Izumo
¥300
Famous for matchmaking
6
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Kanagawa / Kamakura
¥100
Cute dove omikuji
7
Kitano Tenmangu
Kyoto / Kamigyo
¥200
Academic success
8
Dazaifu Tenmangu
Fukuoka
¥200
God of learning
9
Yasaka Shrine
Kyoto / Gion
¥200
Matchmaking
10
Itsukushima Shrine
Hiroshima / Miyajima
¥200
World Heritage
11
Kanda Myojin
Tokyo / Kanda
¥300
Famous for IT protection
12
Heian Jingu
Kyoto
¥200
Love omikuji
13
Todai-ji
Nara
¥100
Inside the Great Buddha precinct
14
Kasuga Taisha
Nara
¥200
Cute deer omikuji
15
Kurama-dera
Kyoto / Kurama
¥300
Power spot
💰 Price breakdown
Omikuji and amulet pricing:
Standard omikuji: ¥100-200
English omikuji: ¥100-300
Animal omikuji (dove, deer, fox): ¥300-500
Love omikuji: ¥200-500
Water omikuji (text appears in water): ¥200-300
Omamori (amulet): ¥500-1,500
Ema (wooden wish plaque): ¥500-1,000
Goshuin (calligraphy stamp): ¥300-500
Omikuji + omamori set: ¥500-1,500
Admission (Kiyomizu, Todai-ji etc.): ¥400-1,000
🌐 Tourist support
Major sites such as Senso-ji, Fushimi Inari, Meiji Jingu, Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine offer omikuji in English, Chinese and Korean. The procedure is simple: (1) put ¥100 in the box, (2) shake the cylinder until a numbered stick falls out, (3) take the slip from the matching drawer. Ask staff "English version, please" and most major sites can help.
⏰ Hours
Open: 6:00-9:00 (varies by site)
Close: 17:00-19:00 (seasonal)
Omikuji availability: whenever the site is open
New Year: 24-hour access for hatsumode (Dec 31-Jan 1)
Peak times: New Year (Dec 31-Jan 3), Golden Week, Obon
Quiet times: early morning (7:00-9:00), weekday mornings
💳 Payment methods
Cash: all sites (¥100 coins are handy)
Credit card: a few large sites (Meiji Jingu charm counter etc.)
IC card: some (Suica / PASMO)
QR code: growing PayPay coverage
Foreign cards: mostly cash; offerings only with ¥10 / ¥100 coins
Have ¥1,000-2,000 in ¥100 and ¥10 coins ready. Some precincts have change machines.
⚠️ Things to watch out for
Don't be upset if you get Kyo: tying it resets your fortune
Tie or take home: Kyo is tied, Kichi or better is taken home (varies regionally)
Never tie to tree branches: only the designated rack (to protect trees)
Photos: inside halls and sacred areas often prohibited
Dress: avoid sleeveless tops and shorts (especially for formal worship)
Offerings: ¥5 coin (en = "connection") and ¥10 coin are traditional; some avoid ¥1 or ¥500
Stay quiet: no shouting or running
5 common tourist mistakes
Throwing away Kyo: tie it instead and leave the misfortune at the shrine
Tying to tree branches: only the designated rack
No ¥10 coins: prepare small change for offerings and omikuji
Tossing it without reading: ask for an English version
Reading aloud loudly in the hall: keep voices down
Pre-departure checklist
List 2-3 shrines or temples to visit
Bring ¥2,000 in ¥100 / ¥10 coins
Check English availability in advance
Dress code (no sleeveless or shorts)
Goshuincho stamp book (¥1,000-2,000)
Extra ¥1,000-3,000 for amulets
Transport (metro, bus)
Consider Klook shrine tours
Reduce FX costs with Wise / Revolut
Review quiet / no-photo etiquette
FAQ
Q1: What if I draw Kyo?
A: Tie it at the rack so the shrine takes the bad luck. No need to be scared.
Q2: Can I redraw?
A: Tradition says once a day. A different shrine on a different day is fine.
Q3: Where are English versions?
A: Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and other majors. Ask "English fortune, please".
Q4: What do I do with a good omikuji?
A: Keep it in your wallet or notebook. Return it on your next visit or at year-end.
Q5: Can children draw?
A: All ages welcome. Cute children's omikuji (dove, deer, fox) are common.
Editorial info: Yen Finder Editorial / Last verified June 2026.
