Sensō-ji Temple is famous for its high proportion of "凶" (bad fortune) omikuji. There are seven types of omikuji in total: 大吉 (great fortune), 吉 (good fortune), 半吉 (half good fortune), 小吉 (small good fortune), 末吉 (end good fortune), 末小吉 (end small good fortune), and 凶 (bad fortune). If you draw an omikuji you don't like, you can tie it to a specific tree in the temple, hoping to turn bad fortune into good. If you draw a good omikuji, you can take it home with you. Drawing omikuji usually requires paying an offering fee, then shaking the omikuji box and finding the corresponding omikuji based on the number that comes out.

Types of Omikuji

• Ranking from high to low: 大吉 (great fortune), 吉 (good fortune), 半吉 (half good fortune), 小吉 (small good fortune), 末小吉 (end small good fortune), 末吉 (end good fortune), 凶 (bad fortune).
• High proportion of bad fortune: In Sensō-ji Temple's omikuji, "凶" accounts for about 30%, giving it the reputation of having "the most bad fortune omikuji."

Steps to Draw Omikuji

1. Pay the offering fee: First, pay a certain fee called "初穂料" (hatsuho-ryō).
2. Shake the omikuji box: Shake the box containing the omikuji until a number comes out.
3. Find the omikuji: Based on the number drawn, find the corresponding omikuji from the numbered omikuji.
4. Read the omikuji: The omikuji usually contains the fortune result written in Chinese characters, along with a Chinese poem and Japanese explanation.

What to Do After Drawing Omikuji

• Omikuji you don't like: If you draw an omikuji you don't like, you can tie it to a specific tree within the temple grounds, symbolizing leaving the bad luck behind and hoping to turn misfortune into fortune.
• Omikuji you like: If you draw a good omikuji, you can take it home as a keepsake or for prayer.