If you try to draw an omikuji at Meiji Jingu, you will notice that the familiar characters for “dai-kichi” or “kyo” are nowhere to be found. Meiji Jingu’s omikuji is called “Omikokoro” (The Great Heart), and it is fundamentally different from standard omikuji. There are no fortune rankings at all — instead, one poem is bestowed from a collection of 30 waka poems composed by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. This article covers everything from how to draw Omikokoro, where to find it, and the hatsuhoryo, to how to interpret the poems and visiting hours.
御要旨
- Omikokoro Has No Fortune Rankings — It Offers Life Guidance Through Waka Poetry
- Standard Omikuji and Omikokoro Are Fundamentally Different
- Drawing Omikokoro Is Simple
- Omikokoro Is Available at the Distribution Office Near the Main Hall
- Hatsuhoryo Is 100 Yen — Very Reasonable by National Standards
- Tips for Interpreting the Waka Poems
- Visiting Hours Change by Season — From Opening to Closing
- The Historical Background of the Waka Format
- Taking Omikokoro Home Is Recommended
- Basic Visitor Information for Meiji Jingu
- In Closing
Omikokoro Has No Fortune Rankings — It Offers Life Guidance Through Waka Poetry
Meiji Jingu’s Omikokoro contains no labels like “dai-kichi,” “chu-kichi,” or “kyo.” Omikokoro consists of 15 gyosei (poems composed by Emperor Meiji) and 15 miuta (poems by Empress Shoken) — a total of 30 waka poems, from which one is selected for each visitor (Source: Meiji Jingu Official Website).
While standard omikuji aim to “tell your fortune,” Omikokoro aims to “receive the heart of the enshrined deities.” In other words, it does not judge whether your fortune is good or bad but rather bestows words that you need at this moment in your life. (Think of it less as “fortune-telling” and more as “guidance.”)
The Omikokoro slip includes the original waka in classical Japanese along with an explanatory note written in plain modern language. Even those unfamiliar with classical poetry can understand the meaning, so there is no need to worry about not grasping the content.
Note that Omikokoro is sometimes misread as “o-omikuji,” but the correct reading is “o-mi-go-ko-ro.” It means “the great heart (mikokoro) of the enshrined deity” — a name that perfectly encapsulates the essence of Omikokoro.
Standard Omikuji and Omikokoro Are Fundamentally Different
“An omikuji without fortune rankings?” Many visitors are surprised. Comparing standard omikuji and Omikokoro side by side makes it clear that the two are entirely different things.
| Comparison | Standard Omikuji | Meiji Jingu’s Omikokoro |
|---|---|---|
| Fortune ranking | Yes (dai-kichi through dai-kyo) | None |
| Content | Fortune and category-by-category rankings | One waka poem by Emperor Meiji or Empress Shoken + explanatory note |
| Purpose | To divine fortune and gain behavioral guidance | To receive the heart (Omikokoro) of the enshrined deities |
| Result types | 7–12 ranked tiers | 30 waka poems |
| Tie or take home | Either is fine | Taking home is recommended |
| Hatsuhoryo | Typically 100–300 yen | 100 yen |
The biggest difference is that “there is no hierarchy among the results.” With standard omikuji, drawing dai-kichi brings joy while drawing kyo brings disappointment, creating an emotional swing. With Omikokoro, there is no such emotional roller coaster. Whichever of the 30 poems you draw, it is “a message from the enshrined deity directed at you right now” — none is better or worse than another.
This system also prompts reflection on “what omikuji truly are.” In fact, the core of an omikuji is not the fortune ranking but the words written on it. People tend to focus only on the ranking, but Omikokoro brings us back to that original purpose of “savoring the words.” (Many people report that after drawing Omikokoro, they start reading the poems and advice on standard omikuji more carefully at other shrines.)
Drawing Omikokoro Is Simple
The process of drawing Omikokoro is very straightforward. There are no special rituals or complicated steps.
Step-by-Step Process
- Worship at the main hall (Gosyaden) of Meiji Jingu
- Head to the Kaguraden (to the right of the main hall) or the amulet distribution office
- Offer 100 yen as hatsuhoryo
- Draw one slip from the Omikokoro box
Folded slips of paper are inside the box, and you select one by hand. It is not a system where you state a number and receive a corresponding slip — rather, you draw directly with your own hand.
Before drawing, it is important to complete your worship at the main hall. Since Omikokoro means “receiving the heart of the enshrined deities,” it is natural to first greet Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken before drawing. (Drawing an omikuji without first worshipping is like accepting a gift from someone without saying hello.)
Mindset for Drawing
Since Omikokoro is not about fortune-telling, rather than wishing for “a good result,” the ideal approach is to draw with the mindset of “please bestow upon me the words I need right now.” If you have a concern or are facing a dilemma, holding that question in your mind as you draw may help the poem’s words resonate more deeply.
Also, Omikokoro is not meant to be drawn multiple times in a single visit. Draw one per visit and treasure it as a message directed at you at that moment.
Omikokoro Is Available at the Distribution Office Near the Main Hall
Omikokoro is distributed at the following locations within Meiji Jingu’s grounds.
Kaguraden and Distribution Office Locations
The primary location for drawing Omikokoro is the distribution office at the Kaguraden, to the right of the main hall (Gosyaden). This is also where amulets and other items are distributed, so it is in a natural flow for visitors.
Meiji Jingu is famous for its long approach paths. If you enter from the “South Approach” on the JR Harajuku Station side, it takes about 10–15 minutes to walk from the grand torii gate to the main hall. The distribution office is right near the main hall, so aim for the main hall first along the approach path.
Approach Paths and Nearest Stations
| Approach Path | Nearest Station | Walking Time to Main Hall |
|---|---|---|
| South Approach (Main Approach) | JR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station / Tokyo Metro Chiyoda & Fukutoshin Lines Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku) Station | About 10–15 min |
| North Approach | JR Yamanote Line Yoyogi Station / Toei Oedo Line Yoyogi Station / Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Kita-sando Station | About 10–15 min |
| West Approach | Odakyu Line Sangubashi Station | About 10 min |
You can draw Omikokoro from any approach path, but first-time visitors are recommended to use the South Approach from JR Harajuku Station. It is the best route for experiencing the grand torii and the forest atmosphere, and it helps you mentally prepare for entering the sacred grounds. (The West Approach is the least crowded, making it a hidden gem for those who want to avoid crowds.)
Hatsuhoryo Is 100 Yen — Very Reasonable by National Standards
The hatsuhoryo for Omikokoro is 100 yen.
Standard omikuji at major shrines nationwide range from 100 to 300 yen, with 200 yen becoming increasingly common. The fact that Meiji Jingu — one of Japan’s largest shrines with about 3 million New Year visitors — maintains a 100-yen hatsuhoryo is noteworthy.
| Shrine | Omikuji Name | Hatsuhoryo |
|---|---|---|
| Meiji Jingu | Omikokoro | 100 yen |
| Senso-ji | Omikuji | 100 yen |
| Fushimi Inari Taisha | Omikuji | 200 yen |
| Izumo Taisha | Omikuji | 100 yen |
| Sumiyoshi Taisha | Omikuji | 200 yen |
Having a 100-yen coin ready will make things smoother. During crowded times like New Year, making change can take time, so preparing small coins in advance is recommended.
Incidentally, the 100 yen for Omikokoro is “hatsuhoryo” — not a product “price.” Everything distributed at a shrine is “hanpu” (distribution), not buying and selling. This applies to standard omikuji as well, but for Omikokoro, the meaning of “an offering to receive the enshrined deity’s heart” is especially strong, making the act of offering 100 yen itself a part of worship.
Tips for Interpreting the Waka Poems
After drawing Omikokoro, many people feel “I don’t really understand the poem.” However, knowing a few interpretation tips can make the poem’s words remarkably personal.
Start with the Explanatory Note
The Omikokoro slip contains the original waka (in classical Japanese) and an explanatory note in modern language. If you are not confident with classical Japanese, reading the explanatory note first and then returning to the original poem is recommended. Once you grasp the general meaning from the explanation, you can then appreciate the rhythm and nuances of the waka form.
Interpret It in the Context of Your Own Situation
The waka poems in Omikokoro address universal themes such as sincerity, patience, the beauty of nature, and the importance of effort, all distilled into poetic form.
The key to interpretation is to apply the poem’s content to your current situation. If someone facing challenges at work draws a poem about patience, it can be received as a message from the deity saying “now is a time to endure.” If someone struggling with love draws a poem about sincerity, it can be read as guidance saying “face things honestly.”
The same poem can be received entirely differently depending on the drawer’s circumstances. This is the depth of Omikokoro, and it is why this fortune-ranking-free omikuji has been cherished for generations. (In fact, because it cannot be summed up in a single word like “dai-kichi” or “kyo,” there is room for personal reflection — and that is precisely the beauty of Omikokoro.)
Re-reading Days Later Deepens the Experience
Omikokoro is not only meaningful at the moment of drawing — re-reading it days or weeks later can bring new insights. Many people experience a poem that “didn’t click at first” suddenly making perfect sense later, as if it was about something happening in their life.
This is an experience that standard omikuji with fortune rankings cannot provide. Fortune rankings are finalized the moment you draw, but guidance through poetry deepens in meaning over time. This is exactly why Omikokoro is worth keeping and re-reading.
Visiting Hours Change by Season — From Opening to Closing
Meiji Jingu’s opening and closing times change monthly in accordance with sunrise and sunset. Omikokoro distribution is generally available from opening to closing.
| Month | Opening Time | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6:40 | 16:20 |
| February | 6:20 | 16:50 |
| March | 5:40 | 17:20 |
| April | 5:10 | 17:50 |
| May | 5:00 | 18:10 |
| June | 5:00 | 18:30 |
| July | 5:00 | 18:20 |
| August | 5:00 | 18:00 |
| September | 5:20 | 17:20 |
| October | 5:40 | 16:40 |
| November | 6:10 | 16:10 |
| December | 6:40 | 16:00 |
Since the shrine closes as early as 4 PM in winter, visitors arriving in the afternoon should take note. Including the time needed to walk the approach path, plan to enter the grounds at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before closing. This is especially important in December and January when closing time is around 4 PM.
During the first three days of the New Year, opening hours are extended. The shrine is open all night from New Year’s Eve through New Year’s Day, with closing time on January 1 typically around 6:30 PM. However, the shrine is extremely crowded during the New Year period, and access restrictions on the approach paths may apply. If you want to draw Omikokoro at a leisurely pace, visiting outside the New Year period is recommended. (From mid-January onward, there is virtually no waiting, and you can contemplate the poetry in the quiet forest.)
The Historical Background of the Waka Format
Why does Meiji Jingu’s omikuji use waka poetry instead of fortune rankings? Understanding this requires knowledge of Meiji Jingu’s origins and the people it enshrines.
Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken Left a Vast Legacy of Waka
Emperor Meiji is said to have composed approximately 100,000 waka poems over his lifetime. Empress Shoken also left about 30,000. For both enshrined deities, waka were not mere literary works but the very medium through which they expressed their daily observations and concern for the nation.
When Meiji Jingu was established in 1920 (Taisho 9), choosing waka as the most apt expression of the deities’ character was a natural decision. From the vast collection of imperial poems, 15 were carefully selected from each, totaling 30, and adopted as Omikokoro — a tradition that has been preserved to this day.
The Decision Not to Assign Fortune Rankings
The origin of standard omikuji is generally traced to the “Ganzan Daishi Hyakusen” (100 lots) created by Ganzan Daishi (Ryogen, a Tendai Buddhist monk) during the Heian period, which included the concept of fortune rankings.
However, Meiji Jingu deliberately eliminated fortune rankings based on the belief that “assigning rankings to the poems of the enshrined deities would be disrespectful.” Both Emperor Meiji’s gyosei and Empress Shoken’s miuta are equally precious expressions of their hearts. Ranking them as “this poem is dai-kichi, that poem is kyo” would contradict the deities’ intentions.
As a result, Omikokoro became one of the rare omikuji in Japan that is free from the binary of “hit or miss” and “good or bad.” (This approach is unique to Meiji Jingu and does not mean that other shrines are wrong for including fortune rankings.)
Other Shrines That Offer Omikuji Without Fortune Rankings
Meiji Jingu is not the only shrine without fortune rankings on its omikuji. For example, Ise Jingu (Mie Prefecture) does not have omikuji at all, based on the philosophy that “visiting Ise Jingu is itself the ultimate blessing.” Atsuta Jingu (Aichi Prefecture) also offers waka-format omikuji similar to Omikokoro.
However, omikuji without fortune rankings are a minority nationwide. The vast majority of the approximately 80,000 shrines in Japan that offer omikuji use the fortune-ranking format. Part of what makes Meiji Jingu’s Omikokoro feel special is this rarity.
Taking Omikokoro Home Is Recommended
While many people wonder whether to tie their omikuji or take it home, for Omikokoro, taking it home is recommended.
Why Taking It Home Is Encouraged
Omikokoro bestows the enshrined deity’s message in the form of a waka poem. Rather than reading it once and leaving it behind, its true value lies in re-reading it throughout your daily life. Carry it in your planner or wallet, and read it again when you feel lost or stuck. That is the most effective way to use Omikokoro.
In fact, while there is a designated place (omikuji rack) at Meiji Jingu for tying omikuji, the overwhelming majority of visitors choose to take their Omikokoro home.
Storage Tips
- Carry it in your planner or wallet for daily access
- If you have a kamidana (home shrine), placing it there is also appropriate
- Using a clear case or card case prevents it from bending and helps it last longer
- Return it at year-end cleaning through otakiage (sacred burning), or bring it back to the old-charm collection box on your next visit
The Omikokoro slip is not very large, so some people use it as a bookmark for paperback books. Placing it somewhere it naturally catches your eye in daily life allows the poem’s words to resonate with you at just the right moment. (Unlike the “sense of security from carrying an amulet,” the value lies in “repeatedly receiving the words.”)
Basic Visitor Information for Meiji Jingu
For those planning to visit Meiji Jingu to draw Omikokoro, here is essential visitor information.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Meiji Jingu |
| Enshrined Deities | Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken |
| Founded | November 1, 1920 (Taisho 9) |
| Address | 1-1 Yoyogi Kamizono-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
| Phone | 03-3379-5511 (Main) |
| Visiting Hours | Change monthly with sunrise/sunset (see table above) |
| Admission Fee | Free |
| Omikokoro Hatsuhoryo | 100 yen |
| Annual Visitors | Approx. 10 million (about 3 million during New Year) |
Etiquette and Dress Code
Meiji Jingu is a prestigious shrine, but there are no strict dress code requirements. Casual attire is perfectly fine. However, basic manners such as removing your hat in front of the main hall and refraining from loud talking should be observed.
The worship procedure is as follows:
- Bow lightly before passing through the torii gate
- Walk along the sides of the approach path, avoiding the center (the center is considered the deity’s pathway)
- Purify your hands and mouth at the temizusha (water purification fountain)
- Worship at the main hall with the “ni-hai ni-hakushu ichi-hai” ritual (two bows, two claps, one bow)
- After worship, draw Omikokoro at the distribution office
Meiji Jingu’s approach paths are surrounded by a deep forest that feels remarkably unlike the heart of Tokyo. The approximately 700,000-square-meter “Chinju no Mori” (sacred forest) was artificially created from about 100,000 trees donated from across the nation, but after over 100 years, it has grown into a near-natural forest (Source: Meiji Jingu Official Website). Walking through this forest alone can calm the mind, making the approach walk an ideal way to prepare yourself before drawing Omikokoro.
Weekday Mornings Are Best for Avoiding Crowds
Meiji Jingu is one of Tokyo’s top tourist destinations, so weekends, holidays, and the first three days of the New Year are extremely crowded. For a relaxed Omikokoro experience, weekday mornings are the most comfortable. The early hours right after opening are even quieter, allowing you to worship in the crisp forest air.
With many international tourists visiting as well, the area around the distribution office tends to get busy around midday. Arriving between 9 and 10 AM allows for a leisurely experience including the approach walk.
Nearby Attractions
After visiting Meiji Jingu, the surrounding area offers plenty to explore. Within the grounds is the “Meiji Jingu Museum,” which displays items related to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Visiting after experiencing waka through Omikokoro adds another dimension to understanding the enshrined deities.
The entrance to the South Approach is directly connected to the Harajuku/Omotesando area, making it easy to combine worship with shopping and dining. On the North Approach side, Shinjuku Gyoen is within walking distance, offering an excellent nature walk. (Being able to enjoy forest bathing while in the city center is a luxury unique to Meiji Jingu.)
In Closing
Meiji Jingu’s Omikokoro is a one-of-a-kind omikuji that conveys the enshrined deities’ hearts not through fortune “rankings” but through the “words” of waka poetry. For a hatsuhoryo of 100 yen, you receive one poem from 30 waka composed by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Interpreting that poem in light of your own circumstances and using it as daily guidance — that is the proper way to enjoy Omikokoro.
Without fortune rankings, there is no evaluation of “hit or miss.” Instead, what you gain is the power of poetry that offers new insights every time you re-read it. On your next visit to Meiji Jingu, be sure to draw an Omikokoro and carry the deity’s words home with you.
Even on days when you cannot visit a shrine, you can enjoy a daily omikuji experience at “Omikuji Sando.” Draw your personalized fortune based on your date of birth, with 12 fortune levels available for free every day. Why not try a different approach to daily guidance alongside Meiji Jingu’s Omikokoro?
