Question
I’m planning to visit a shrine in Kyoto during my trip to Japan. I’ve heard about the practice of “omikuji,” and I really want to try it. How do I ask, “Where can I get an omikuji?” in Japanese when I’m at the shrine?
Japango Editor Team
おみくじはどこで引（ひ）けますか。
Omikuji wa doko de hikemasu ka?
Where can I get an omikuji?
Omikuji are traditional Japanese fortune slips found at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. “Hiku” means “to draw” or “to pull,” and in the context of omikuji, it refers to drawing a fortune slip. “Doko de” means “at where,” so when you say “Omikuji wa doko de hikemasu ka?” you’re asking where you can draw one.
Remember to handle your omikuji with care, and if you receive a bad fortune, tie it to a designated structure at the shrine to leave the bad luck behind. Enjoy your cultural experience!
