Japan's 5 Temples with the Most "Unlucky" Omikuji – Asakusa Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Make the List

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Temples and shrines are scattered all over Japan and are must-visit spots for Taiwanese travelers. Aside from sightseeing, many visitors can't resist drawing omikuji (fortune slips) to check their luck. A Japanese travel website has compiled a list of five temples that netizens claim are the “most likely to give you an unlucky omikuji,” with popular attractions such as Tokyo’s Asakusa Shrine and Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera making the list!

▲ Asakusa Shrine is a popular spot in Tokyo. (Photo / Credited to reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

1. Tokyo – Asakusa Shrine
Asakusa Shrine is a must-visit attraction for travelers to Tokyo, and many locals and tourists alike believe the Asakusa Kannon is highly efficacious. As a result, many visitors draw omikuji after praying. However, it is said that Asakusa Shrine has the highest probability of giving out unlucky omikuji in Japan!

Japanese netizens claim that up to 30% of the omikuji slips at Asakusa Shrine are unlucky, even more than those that come out as “Great Blessing (Daikichi).” Some have shared stories of going with friends and all ending up with bad fortunes. Although unverified by the shrine, this has become one of the quirky anecdotes associated with Asakusa Shrine.

▲ Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is a must-see in Kamakura. (Photo / From Wikipedia)

2. Kanagawa Prefecture – Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Located in Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is a popular local attraction and one of the most visited sites for New Year’s visits. In reality, however, the chance of drawing an unlucky omikuji here is as high as 20%, even higher than that of getting a “Great Blessing.” Some netizens even say they visited three times in a row and got unlucky each time. As a result, it has been listed by Japanese netizens as one of the shrines where it’s hard to get a great fortune—but if you do get Daikichi, you’re really lucky.

▲ Kiyomizu-dera is famous for its wooden stage. (Photo / Credited to reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

3. Kyoto – Kiyomizu-dera
Renowned both in Japan and abroad, Kiyomizu-dera is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Kyoto. But in truth, the chance of drawing an unlucky omikuji here is also around 30%.

▲ Osaka Sumiyoshi Taisha. (Photo / From Wikipedia)

4. Osaka – Sumiyoshi Taisha
Sumiyoshi Taisha is a favorite New Year’s visit spot for the people of Osaka, and it also boasts the scenic beauty of its red bridge reflection. The chances of drawing either an unlucky or a great fortune omikuji here are about the same—around 20%. However, it’s most famous for the high probability of drawing a “Great Curse (Daikyou),” with some netizens claiming the odds are particularly high on New Year’s Day. To encourage more visitors during the New Year season, the shrine is said to reduce the number of bad omikuji and increase the good ones.

▲ The iconic red torii gate standing on the sea is the symbol of Itsukushima Shrine. (Photo / Credited to reporter Huang Shih-yuan)

5. Hiroshima – Itsukushima Shrine
Located on Miyajima Island, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, Itsukushima Shrine is famous for its massive red torii gate that appears to float on the sea—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and internationally renowned attraction.

There are many rumors surrounding Itsukushima Shrine, one being that it’s easy to draw an unlucky omikuji—with a claimed probability of around 20%. Some users have reported that their parents and sisters all drew bad fortunes when visiting, while others claim they drew unlucky slips three or four times in a row. Next time you visit, why not try your luck?