Summary
Omamori (お守り) are small Japanese amulets for protection and good luck, usually from a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple. This guide explains the common types, how to use them with respect, and simple tips for visitors.
Key Facts
- Meaning: Personal omamori carrying a blessing for daily life.
- Common types: Pouch type, card type, and small body omamori.
- Price: Usually ¥500–¥2,000 (average around ¥1,000).
- How to carry: Keep them close to you in a bag, wallet, or pocket, or place it in a high, clean space at home.
- Do not open: The inner blessing is sacred and should stay sealed. Opening it is believed to release its power.
- Replace: Many people renew their omamori after about one year, but keeping it longer is also fine.
- Return: When you visit Japan again, you can return it to a shrine where it will be respectfully purified before renewal.
Tip: Most shrine offices (juyosho 授与所) accept only cash (yen). Credit cards and digital payments are usually not available, so please prepare small bills and coins.
What is an Omamori?
Omamori are small cloth or card amulets that hold a sacred blessing (a type of ofuda) from a shrine or temple. They support areas like health (健康), study (学業成就), safe travel (交通安全), business, and general luck (開運). You can receive an omamori at the shrine office (juyosho 授与所).
At Ichinomiya shrines and many others across Japan, the basic idea is the same: carry it with gratitude, treat it kindly, and let it remind you of your wish or prayer.
Common Types
- Pouch type (袋型): The classic cloth pouch with a blessing inside. You can tie the string to your bag or keep it at home.
- Card type (カード型): A flat omamori that fits in a wallet or card case. Good for daily carry.
- Body omamori (肌守り, hadamamori): A very small omamori meant to be kept close to the body (hadami hanasazu, “never apart from you”) in a pocket or pouch. Some shrines offer very small ones, while others use regular designs.
Designs vary by shrine, with some seasonal variations. Each shrine has its own unique designs.
In addition to traditional designs, many shrines also offer modern omamori — such as omamori shaped like accessories or featuring popular characters. These are especially popular among young visitors, and they carry the same spirit of blessing as traditional ones.
How to Use
- Receive the omamori at the shrine office by giving an offering fee (hatsuhoryo 初穂料).
- Keep it close to you (in your bag, wallet, or pocket) or place it in a quiet, clean spot at home.
- Do not open the pouch. Treat it gently and keep it dry.
- If you change bags often, move the omamori with care so it stays with you.
How Long to Keep It
Many shrines suggest renewing your omamori about one year after you received it, as a way to show gratitude and receive a new blessing. However, there is no strict rule — some people keep it longer until their wish is fulfilled, and then return it with thanks. When you visit Japan again, you may return it to a shrine and receive a new one.
Where to Return
Ideally, return an omamori to the shrine where you received it. If that is difficult, you may ask another shrine if they can accept it for disposal. Policies differ, so please ask the staff politely.
Etiquette
- Keep omamori clean and treat them with respect.
- Never open the inner pouch of an omamori.
- If you wish to take photos at the shrine office, please ask for permission first.
- Do not resell or trade omamori. They are sacred items and should be treated with respect.
Support this Guide
Your support helps me share shrine culture, and will be offered as osaisen (offerings) at Ichinomiya shrines.
