How to Become a Shinto Miko for a Day (Maiden Shrine Rental)

Have you heard or watched the famous Japanese series? Anime film: your name (Kimi no noa)? If so, you remember that the main heroine, Mitsuha, worked as an actress Miko – Shinto Shrine Maiden – This was definitely one of the many parts of the movie that captured my imagination. After all, when I saw her perform Kaguramai (Shinto ceremonial dance with bells and bells) When I was a miko in one of the scenes in the movie, I was completely mesmerized.

This profession immediately piqued my curiosity and I was happy to discover that as a visitor, I could head to Hyogo Prefecture. Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine In Amagasaki City, Japan (near Osaka) To sign up for the Miku Experience package to try and rent their clothes for a day – and so I did!

For a day (or technically, an hour) I not only learned about the profession but I also got to try being a miko, and you bet that was fun and enriching!

to update: Now you can do this experience in Kyoto too! Check out the tour here: [link]
TRAVEL TIP – Book this tour and enter AILEENKLOOK at checkout to save 5% off!

Top image by: shutterstock

Miku experience

Photo by: shutterstock

» What is it Miko?

A miko (巫女) in Japan is a shrine maiden who is trained to perform certain rituals and tasks in order to support the Shinto priest(s) of the traditional shrine. They cannot be considered fortune-tellers or mediums, and according to the fact that they are “virgins”, miko must be unmarried females. (Often they are daughters of priests).

» What is it Shinto?

Shinto or Kami no michi It is a polytheistic religion in Japan that revolves primarily around the veneration of several deities known as Cami (gods or spirits) or supernatural entities believed to inhabit all things. Today, Shinto remains the country’s main religion alongside Buddhism, with Shinto shrines being places of worship and kami homes.

» How did the miko experience at Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine come about?

In 2016, Amagasaki Hospitality Group proposed this idea to the chief priest of Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine, Nobuyo Otagaki, and since then, the program has been created as a way for tourists to further understand Japanese culture.

Trivia: The shrine is dedicated to Ebisu, the kami or god of luck and prosperity, one of the seven gods of fortune. Thanks to its location, it is also a prime choice for being one of the fun day trips from Osaka you can take!

» What does Miko’s one-hour experience involve?

-Shinto shrine and miko lesson with a guide
– Try A Suzu Or Shinto bell and look at Kaguramai dance
– An opportunity to dress up as a miko and take photos around the shrine

It is useful to note that traditional miko clothing is a red hakama (a long trouser-like skirt tied with a bow), a white kosode (kimono robe), and some white or red hair ribbons. In Shintoism, white symbolizes purity, and the clothing placed over the kosode during Kaguramai or Kagura dances is called chihaya (as pictured above).
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Please remember by the way that this is not a cosplay event, but rather just an experience to gain more understanding of the Shinto doctrine or the miko profession.

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Travel guide either

» address

Where is Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine located?
address: 3-82 Kanda Nakadori, Amagasaki 660-0884, Hyogo Prefecture
In Japanese: 〒660-0884 Hyogo, Amagasaki, 神田中通３丁目８２
working hours: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm

to update: Now you can do this experience in Kyoto too! Check out the tour here: [link]
TRAVEL TIP – Book this tour and enter AILEENKLOOK at checkout to save 5% off!

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» How to reserve and rent Miko clothing

You just have to Book online One day ago and that’s it!

• Go to this Inquiry page Fill out the form with details of your name, mobile phone number, required date and time, and number of participants (at least 2). You can fill out the form in English or Japanese.
• Participants must be female in the first miko or shrine program; However, accompanying males can wear Japanese clothing happy Or a traditional coat with straight sleeves without any fees.
  • Your booking is confirmed when you receive a response via email, which email serves as proof of your booking.
• Cancellations can be made via email or phone at least 24 hours in advance.
• If you stay more than one hour, there will be an additional fee.
• Since it is busy season, the shrine does not offer this miko experience from November to February. However, it is still possible to make an inquiry about your appointment should the shrine be able to accommodate your request.

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» How is Miko’s experience?

As of 2020, the cost of undergoing a one-hour program is only 2,000 yen per person.

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» How to get to Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine

Just head to Amagasaki Station. For this it is better to buy Hanshin Tourist Pass. From there, it only takes 4 minutes to walk to the shrine.

What is Hanshin Pass? It’s a one-day train ticket that gives you unlimited rides on train lines served by Hanshin around places like Osaka and Kobe – including the Hanshin Line that runs through Amagasaki (cost: 500 yen).

Another type:You can also try Hankyu ticket for one or two days For unlimited travel in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. (Cost: 700 yen for one day / 1200 yen for two days)

If you need assistance when boarding the trains, simply use the directions feature provided Google Maps – I find this a very useful tool if I want to reach a specific place from a specific location. However, note that Google Maps does not work offline if you want routes or transit schedules, so I recommend getting… Pocket WiFi Or a SIM card To stay connected online).

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» Visa to Japan

If you are not a citizen of either Japan Exempt countriesYou will then be required to avail the visa in advance. (If you are from the Philippines, you can read my guide on how to get a Japan visa in Manila here.)

Check complete visa requirements here According to your nationality.

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» Safety in Japan

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with very low crime rates. I have traveled alone to this country several times now and have never felt unsafe even in the late hours of the night – butThis is no excuse for complacency. “Little crime” does not mean “no crime”, so be vigilant and be “street smart” using common sense at all times.

However, Japanese people are some of the kindest and most respectful people I’ve ever met, so solo travelers don’t have much to worry about in this amazing country.

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» Useful Japanese phrases

Japan may be one of the most developed countries in the world, but many of the locals don’t speak English. However, this should not stop you from traveling to this country because apart from the fact that there are plenty of translation apps that will help you understand and speak Japanese, a lot of locals also make an effort to learn and use English.

Anyway, here are some useful Japanese phrases to help you along the way! Even if you meet a Japanese person who can speak English, it wouldn’t hurt to say a word or two in his language.

Hello: Konichiwa (KOHN-nee-chee-wah)
Thank you (normal): arigato. (Ah-ri-gah-tuh)
Thank you (less formal): Arigato Josimas (ah-ri-jah-toh-zahi-mah)
Thank you (informal): domo (DOHH-muh)
Yes: Hey (Hey)
No: Yes (any)
Goodbye (Long Term): Sayonara (sah-yuh-nah-rah)
Goodbye (informal): ja ne (gah neeh)

Excuse me: sommasin (soo-mi-mah-sin)
I’m sorry: Jumin Nasai (joh-min-nah-sahi)
Is there anyone here who speaks English?: Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (Dah-rah-kah-ee-guh-gah-ha-nah-seeh-mah-kah?)
Help!: Tasketti! (TAH-KEEH-TAH!)
Cheers!: Kanpai! (Can-by!)

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