After you've prayed at the main hall, the next stop for most visitors is the shrine office. Meiji Shrine's juyosho (amulet counter) carries dozens of omamori sorted by purpose — health, love, protection from evil, and academic success among them — and just browsing the shelves is part of the fun. This guide covers the main omamori types and what each one means, the wooden bell charm made from the shrine's own sacred trees, and the ema tablets, with photos throughout.
Where to Buy Omamori at Meiji Shrine
Omamori are sold at the shrine's main juyosho (shrine office). There are a few other counters around the grounds too — near Choden Hall, the Kagura-den, and the South Shrine Gate — and early in the morning, before the main counters open, the Shukusha building sometimes handles requests instead. Which counter is staffed can depend on the time of day and which entrance you come in from, so it's worth checking the signage posted on the day of your visit.
Omamori Types and What Each One Means
Meiji Shrine's omamori cover a wide range of purposes — health, academics, love, protection from evil, road safety, and success in competition among them. Here's a rundown of the main ones, using the shrine's own English terminology.
| Omamori | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ofuda (For divine protection) | A general protective charm meant to be kept close at hand at all times |
| For soundness of mind and body | Meiji Shrine's signature omamori, praying for overall health of mind and body |
| For finding a good partner | A charm for good relationships, embroidered with a floral design |
| For success in studies / passing examinations | Academic success and exam results |
| For victory and perseverance | Success in competition and the will to "overcome yourself" |
| For protection from evil | Traditionally for yakudoshi (unlucky ages), but available to anyone |
| For safe driving | Comes with a sticker that can go on a car, helmet, or stroller |
| For safe childbirth | Prays for the safe delivery of both mother and child |
| For recovery from illness | Comes in a paulownia wood box, for recovery from sickness or injury |
| For your wish (Minori) | A wooden tag made from the shrine's own sacred trees, for writing a personal wish |
Kodama: The Wooden Bell Amulet Made From Sacred Trees
Among all the omamori here, one stands out for its story: the Kodama good-luck bell. Its rounded wooden body isn't just decorative — it's crafted from the shrine's own sacred trees, the same forest planted from saplings donated nationwide when Meiji Shrine was founded. When a branch breaks naturally or a tree eventually falls, that wood is repurposed into these bells rather than discarded. Because the grain and the tone differ piece to piece, no two are quite alike, which is a big part of why it's become such a popular pick.
Saisai-Shofuku-mori: A New Design Every Year
One amulet has built a small following of its own for a different reason: the saisai-shofuku-mori (protection and good fortune charm) gets a new design every year. It's been featured on Japanese television for exactly that reason, and the collectible angle keeps regular visitors coming back — every New Year's visit means a chance to see what's changed.
Oomigokoro: Meiji Shrine's Own Take on Omikuji
Meiji Shrine's omikuji, called Oomigokoro ("the great mind"), works differently from the fortune-telling slips at most other shrines. Instead of predicting good or bad luck, it draws from 93,032 waka poems written by Emperor Meiji and 27,825 by Empress Shoken, pulling 30 in total that carry a lesson for living. Each one comes with an explanation and an English translation, making it less a fortune to react to and more something to sit with and think about.
Ema
Look closely at the ema hanging near the main hall and you'll see wishes written not just in Japanese but in a mix of languages from around the world — a fitting sight for a shrine that draws visitors from everywhere. An ema costs 500 yen (1,000 yen for the New Year edition), and you write your wish, hang it on the rack near the sacred camphor tree, and leave it for the shrine.
Can You Get a Goshuin at Meiji Shrine?
Yes. A hand-written goshuin costs 500 yen at the counter near the main hall, and a sheet-type goshuin is available too if you don't have a book. If you need a Goshuincho (the book itself), the shrine sells its own original design for 1,000 yen. There's no separately published schedule for the counter — it generally runs during the shrine's daytime visiting hours, so arrive well before closing, especially on weekends when the line can build up fast.
📍 See official omamori categories on the shrine's site
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does Meiji Jingu sell omamori?
A. Yes. Omamori are sold at the shrine office and a few other counters on the grounds, covering purposes from health and love to academics and protection from evil.
Q. Can foreigners buy omamori?
A. Yes, anyone can. There's no restriction based on nationality or religion — the counter staff are used to helping visitors from outside Japan choose one.
Q. What is the meaning of omamori at Meiji Jingu?
A. Omamori are protective charms, each tied to a specific blessing — health, love, safe travel, exam success, and more. Meiji Shrine's own signature version is the "for soundness of mind and body" charm.
Q. Can you get a goshuin at Meiji Shrine?
A. Yes, for 500 yen at the counter near the main hall. A sheet-type version is available if you don't have a goshuin book, and the shrine's own original book costs 1,000 yen.
Q. What's the most popular omamori at Meiji Shrine?
A. The Kodama wooden bell stands out the most, since it's made from the shrine's own sacred trees and no two bells are exactly alike.
Q. How much do omamori cost?
A. The official site doesn't list set prices for most omamori, and they vary by type. Check directly with the counter staff when you're there — ema and goshuin, by contrast, do have published prices (500 yen each).
Q. Can I buy omamori online?
A. There's no official online shop for omamori — they're sold in person at the shrine. Returning an old omamori you no longer need, however, can sometimes be done by mail.
Q. Do omamori expire?
A. The general guideline is about one year, but it's not a strict rule. Keeping one longer is considered fine as long as you look after it with care. When you're ready to part with one, return it at the used-charm collection box on the grounds.
What Visitors Are Saying
Picked the Kodama bell and love it — the wood grain and the sound feel completely one-of-a-kind, not like a mass-produced charm at all.
Got the floral relationship omamori as a souvenir for a friend and it was a huge hit — the embroidery really does feel special.
Drawing an Oomigokoro fortune was unexpectedly moving — reading through Emperor Meiji's poem slowly was worth the visit on its own.
Didn't expect that many options. Ended up picking a different omamori for each of us based on what we each needed.
Got the yearly-design charm after seeing it mentioned online. Knowing the design changes every year already has me planning next New Year's visit.
Spent a while reading the ema hanging near the main hall — wishes in half a dozen languages. It really drove home how many countries visit this place.
Tried to check prices online beforehand and came up empty. → Omamori prices aren't published on the official site — ask the counter staff directly once you're there.
Visited during the New Year period and the counter line was long, with no time to browse properly. → Go on a weekday, or wait until just after the New Year's rush dies down, if you want to take your time choosing.
Final Thoughts
From general health charms to the Kodama bell made from the shrine's own trees, Meiji Shrine's omamori selection is deep enough that choosing one is part of the visit itself. Keep an eye out for the pieces with a story — the Kodama and the yearly-changing saisai-shofuku-mori both carry something the standard charms don't. Next time you're there, take a minute at the counter to find the one that fits what you're actually hoping for.
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