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Have you heard of or watched the popular Japanese\u00a0anime<\/em> movie: Your Name<\/a> (Kimi no Nawa)?<\/em> If so, you would recall that the main heroine, Mitsuha, worked as a miko<\/strong> \u2014 a Shinto shrine maiden \u2014 and that was absolutely one of the many parts of the movie that captured my fancy. After all, when I saw her perform\u00a0<\/span>kaguramai<\/em> (a Shinto ritual ceremonial dance with bells and chimes) as a miko in one of the movie\u2019s scenes, I was utterly enthralled.<\/span><\/p>\n The profession instantly got me curious and I was glad when I found out that as a visitor, I could head over to Hyogo Prefecture\u2019s Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine<\/strong> in Amagasaki City of Japan<\/a> (near Osaka)<\/em> to sign up for a miko experience package to try and rent their attire for a day \u2014 and so, I did!<\/p>\n For a day (or technically, an hour) I did not only learn about the profession but I also got to try being a miko, and you bet that was such\u00a0an enriching and fun affair!<\/p>\n UPDATE: <\/strong>You can now do this experience in Kyoto as well! Check the tour here: [link<\/a><\/strong>] Where to Stay in Osaka\u2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Come and check out my list of the \u2018Best Hotels in Osaka<\/a>\u2018 which features the top recommended choices for cheap to luxurious accommodation choices.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n Top photo by: Shutterstock<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Miko Experienc<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Photo by: Shutterstock<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n A miko (\u5deb\u5973) in Japan is a shrine maiden that is trained to perform certain rituals and tasks in order to support Shinto priest(s) in a traditional shrine. They are not be mistaken as fortunetellers or mediums, and as per the fact that they are \u2018maidens\u2019, miko must be unmarried females (oftentimes they are priests\u2019 daughters).<\/em><\/p>\n Shinto or kami-no-michi<\/em> is a polytheistic religion in Japan that primarily revolves around the veneration of many deities known as kami<\/em> (gods or spirits) or supernatural entities that are believed to inhabit all things. Today, Shinto remains to be the country\u2019s major religion alongside Buddhism with Shinto shrines being the places of worship and homes of kami.<\/p>\n Back in 2016, the Amagasaki Hospitality Group proposed this idea to the head priest of Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine, Nobuyo Otagaki, and since then, the program was established as a way for tourists to further understand Japanese culture.<\/p>\n TRIVIA: The Shrine is dedicated to\u00a0Ebisu,\u00a0a kami or deity of luck and prosperity, and he is one of the 7 Gods of Fortune. With its location, it\u2019s also a prime choice for being one of the fun day trips from Osaka<\/a> that you can do!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2013 Shinto shrine and miko lesson by a guide It helps to note that a Miko\u2019s traditional attire\u00a0is a red\u00a0hakama\u00a0(long trouser-like skirt tied with a bow), a white kosode (kimono<\/a> robe), and some white or red hair ribbons. In Shintoism, the color white symbolizes purity, and the garment placed over the kosode during\u00a0kaguramai or kagura dances is called a chihaya (as pictured above).<\/em> \u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n Where is Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine?<\/strong> UPDATE: <\/strong>You can now do this experience in Kyoto as well! Check the tour here: [link<\/a><\/strong>] \u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n You only need to book online<\/a>\u00a0a day in advance and that\u2019s it!<\/p>\n \u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n As of 2020, it only costs \u00a52,000 per person to undergo the 1-hour program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Just head over to Amagasaki Station. For this, it is best to buy a Hanshin Tourist Pass<\/a>. From there, it\u2019s only a 4-minute walk to the shrine.<\/p>\n What is the Hanshin Pass?\u00a0<\/em>It\u2019s a 1-day train pass that grants you unlimited rides on the Hanshin-serviced train lines around places like\u00a0Osaka and Kobe \u2014 including the Hanshin Line that passes through Amagasaki (cost:\u00a0\u00a5500).<\/p>\n OTHER TYPE<\/span>: You can also try the 1 day or 2-day Hankyu Pass<\/a>\u00a0for unlimited travel in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. (Cost: \u00a5700 for 1 day \/ \u00a51,200 for 2-day)<\/p>\n If you need help when riding the trains, just use the directions feature in\u00a0Google Maps<\/a> \u2014 I\u00a0find this as a very helpful tool if I want to reach a certain place from a particular\u00a0location. However, take note that Google Maps doesn\u2019t work offline if you want routes or transportation schedules, so I recommend that you get a\u00a0pocket WiFi<\/a>\u00a0or a SIM Card<\/a> to stay connected online).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re NOT a citizen of any of Japan\u2019s exempted countries<\/a>, you are then required to avail of a visa beforehand. (If you\u2019re from the Philippines, you can read my guide on how to get a Japan visa<\/a> in Manila here<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n \u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with very low crime rates. I have been traveling solo to this country many times now and I have never felt unsafe even in the late hours of the night \u2014 however<\/span>, this is NO excuse to get too complacent. \u2018Little crime\u2019 does not mean \u2018no crime\u2019, so stay vigilant and be \u201cstreet smart\u201d by using your common sense at all times.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, the Japanese people are one of the kindest and most respectful people I have ever met, so solo travelers<\/a> don\u2019t have much to worry in this amazing country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Japan may be one of the most developed countries in the world, but a lot of the locals don\u2019t speak English. However, this should not discourage you from traveling to this country because apart from the fact that there are a lot of translation apps that will help you understand and speak Japanese, a lot of the locals are also making the effort to learn and use the English language.<\/p>\n Anyhow, below are some helpful Japanese phrases that will help you along the way! And even if you do encounter a Japanese who can speak English, it doesn\u2019t hurt to say a word or two in their language.<\/p>\n Hello: Konnichiwa (Kohn-nee-chee-wah<\/em>) Excuse me: Sumimasen (Soo-mee-mah-SEN) \u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n \u00bb<\/span> <\/strong>Top Kansai Tours<\/strong><\/span> \u00ab<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n Overall<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ve probably already done a kimono rental<\/a> before, so why not give a miko experience a try? As you can see, it\u2019s surely going to be memorable!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Travel Tip \u2014 book this tour and input AILEENKLOOK upon checkout to save 5% off!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\u00bb<\/span> What is a miko?<\/em><\/h2>\n
\u00bb<\/span> What is Shinto?<\/em><\/h2>\n
\u00bb<\/span> How did the miko experience come about in Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\u00bb<\/span> What does that 1-hour miko experience entail?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\u2013 Try a suzu<\/em>\u00a0or Shinto bell and have a glimpse of the\u00a0kaguramai <\/em>dance
\u2013 A chance to dress up in a miko attire and take photos around the shrine<\/p>\n\n
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Please remember by the way, that this is not a cosplaying event as it is more of an experience to garner further understanding of Shinto faith or the miko profession.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nAma Travel Guide<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u00bb Address<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Address<\/em>: 3-82 Kanda Nakadori, Amagasaki 660-0884 in Hyogo Prefecture
In Japanese:\u00a0<\/em>\u3012660-0884 Hyogo, Amagasaki, \u795e\u7530\u4e2d\u901a \uff13\u4e01\u76ee \uff18\uff12
Operation hours:\u00a0<\/em>Monday to Friday from 10AM to 5PM<\/p>\n\n
Travel Tip \u2014 book this tour and input AILEENKLOOK upon checkout to save 5% off!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\u00bb How to book and rent a miko attire<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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\u00bb How much is the miko experience<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\u00bb How to get to Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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\u00bb Visa for Japan<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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\u00bb Safety in Japan<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\u00bb Helpful Japanese Phrases<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Thank you (normal): Arigat\u014d. (Ah-REE-gah-tohh<\/em>)
Thank you (less formal): Arigat\u014d gozaimas (Ah-REE-gah-tohh goh-zahy-mahs)
<\/em>Thank you (informal): D\u014dmo (DOHH-moh)
<\/em>Yes: Hai (Hai)
<\/em>No: Iie (E-eh)
<\/em>Goodbye (long term): Say\u014dnara (Sah-yohh-nah-rah)
<\/em>Goodbye (informal): Ja ne (Jahh neh)
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<\/em>I\u2019m sorry: Gomen nasai (Goh-men-nah-sahy)
<\/em>Is there someone here who speaks English?: Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (Dah-reh-kah ey-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs kah?)
<\/em>Help!: Tasukete! (Tahs-keh-teh!)
<\/em>Cheers!: Kanpai! (Kan-pie!)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n