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ETIQUETTE
How to Draw Omikuji: Meanings from Daikichi to Kyo and Proper Etiquette
Omikuji are not mere fortune slips but messages from the deity. Learn the correct order of fortunes from Daikichi to Kyo, whether to tie or keep your slip, and how to respond when you draw a bad result.
暦
Author
Koyomi
| Seasons & Customs
Contents
MOKUJI
一
What Is Omikuji?
›
二
The Order of Fortunes
›
三
How to Draw Omikuji
›
四
Tie or Take Home?
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五
Drawing Kyo (Bad Luck): Don't Despair
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六
Unique Omikuji Experiences
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七
FAQ
›
What Is Omikuji?
Omikuji are fortune slips drawn at shrines and temples — not mere horoscopes, but messages from the enshrined deity. After completing worship, visitors shake a numbered cylinder, extract the corresponding slip, and receive divine guidance on the current period of their lives.
The Order of Fortunes
Fortunes range from Daikichi (great blessing) to Daikyo (great misfortune). The standard order from best to worst:
Rank
Fortune
Meaning
1
Daikichi (大吉)
Excellent fortune; move forward with confidence
2
Kichi (吉)
Good fortune; stay mindful
3
Chukichi (中吉)
Moderate good fortune; steady effort
4
Shokichi (小吉)
Slightly good; diligence pays off
5
Suekichi (末吉)
Future good fortune; patience now
6
Kyo (凶)
Caution advised; act with humility
7
Daikyo (大凶)
Greatest caution; maintain status quo
Note: the order of Kichi vs Chukichi varies by shrine.
How to Draw Omikuji
1.
Complete your main worship first
2.
Concentrate and mentally ask for guidance
3.
Draw once — redrawing until satisfied is discouraged
4.
Read the full content carefully — each slip has guidance on love, work, health, travel, and more
Cost: typically 100-200 yen.
Tie or Take Home?
Both options are acceptable:
•
Tie at the shrine: Especially recommended for unfavorable results — leaving the bad luck at the shrine
•
Take home: Keep as a daily reminder of the advice; return when the period passes or when a wish comes true
Tie only at designated racks or pine trees — tying to live trees damages them.
Drawing Kyo (Bad Luck): Don’t Despair
Kyo is not a prophecy of misfortune but a divine caution: “This is a time to act with care and humility.” Read the specific advice for each life area carefully — the real value is in these detailed messages, not just the headline result.
Unique Omikuji Experiences
•
Asakusa Jinja: Traditional numbered cylinder style; one of Tokyo’s most atmospheric omikuji experiences
•
Kawasaki Daishi: Combine with goma fire ritual for a full spiritual experience
•
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: Famously contains fewer kyo slips
•
Kanei-ji: Historic Tokugawa family temple; draw amid Upper Ueno Park greenery
FAQ
Can I draw omikuji multiple times?
Once per visit is the standard. Redrawing until satisfied is not recommended — accepting the first result with humility reflects the true spirit of omikuji.
How do I dispose of omikuji?
Return to the shrine’s designated box, or dispose respectfully as burnable waste. Never leave them in rivers or public spaces.
Are English omikuji available?
Many tourist-area shrines (Asakusa Jinja, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Fushimi Inari) offer English versions.
Last updated: May 2026
浅草神社, related to おみくじの引き方
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
川崎大師（平間寺）, related to おみくじの引き方
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
寿福寺, related to おみくじの引き方
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
鶴岡八幡宮, related to おみくじの引き方
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
東叡山 寛永寺, related to おみくじの引き方
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
── 了 ──
暦
Author
Koyomi（こよみ）
Seasons & Customs
Toku editorial team — seasons and customs. Former travel-magazine editor delivering bloom timings, annual rituals and visit etiquette in sense-laden prose accessible to first-timers.
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