Yakudoshi: Japan’s Fascinating “Unlucky Years” Tradition

Have you ever heard of Japan’s unique cultural practice called “yakudoshi” (厄年)? This intriguing tradition might seem unusual to visitors, but it’s deeply woven into Japanese life and offers fascinating insights into how Japanese people approach life’s transitions.

What Exactly Are Yakudoshi (Unlucky Years)?

Yakudoshi, literally meaning “calamity years,” are specific ages when Japanese people believe they’re more susceptible to misfortune, accidents, or major life challenges. Think of it as Japan’s version of “proceed with caution” years – times when you should pay extra attention to your health, relationships, and overall well-being.

But here’s what makes it particularly interesting: the unlucky ages differ completely between men and women, and the system follows Japan’s traditional age-counting method.

The Critical Ages: When Do Yakudoshi Occur?

For men, the yakudoshi years are:

• 25 years old
• 42 years old (considered the most dangerous)
• 61 years old

For women, the yakudoshi years are:

• 19 years old
• 33 years old (considered the most dangerous)
• 37 years old
• 61 years old

Now, here’s where it gets even more complex – and frankly, exhausting if you’re a woman in your thirties! The Japanese don’t just worry about the yakudoshi year itself. They also observe “mae-yaku” (前厄 – the year before) and “ato-yaku” (後厄 – the year after), creating a three-year period of heightened awareness.

This means if you’re a Japanese woman, more than half of your thirties are considered potentially unlucky years! Quite overwhelming, isn’t it?

The Confusing World of Japanese Age Counting

Here’s where many people – including Japanese people themselves – get confused. Yakudoshi ages aren’t calculated using the international age system you’re probably familiar with. Instead, they use “kazoedoshi” (数え年), Japan’s traditional age-counting method.

Let me break this down with a personal example that might help clarify this puzzling system:

I was born in March, and as of January 2025, my actual age is 34 years old. However, in the kazoedoshi system, I’m considered 36 years old! Here’s how it works:

• Take your age as of January 1st
• If your birthday hasn’t passed yet that year, add 2 years
• If your birthday has already passed, add 1 year

Even many Japanese people find this calculation confusing, so don’t worry if it takes a moment to wrap your head around it!

My Personal Journey Through Yakudoshi: A Real-Life Experience

Let me share my actual experience navigating these unlucky years, which might give you insight into how seriously some Japanese people take this tradition.

Choosing the Right Shrine for Purification

From my mae-yaku (pre-unlucky year) onward, I visit a shrine for “yakubarai” – a purification ritual designed to ward off potential misfortune. I chose Waka Hachimangu Shrine in Fukuoka, which is incredibly famous throughout the region specifically for yakudoshi purification ceremonies.

This shrine is so renowned for warding off bad luck that locals often call it “Yaku Hachiman” (厄八幡 – literally “Unlucky Years Hachiman”).

The Purification Process: Step by Step

Here’s exactly what happens when you visit for yakubarai:

1. Registration You fill out a designated form with your name, address, and your age calculated using the kazoedoshi system. This paperwork is surprisingly detailed!

2. Offering Payment Next comes the “hatsuho-ryou” (初穂料) – the monetary offering for the purification service. What’s interesting is that most shrines, including Waka Hachimangu, don’t set fixed prices. You decide how much to offer, though there are generally accepted ranges that vary by region and shrine.

Some shrines do set specific amounts, but the flexibility can be both liberating and anxiety-inducing for visitors wondering “How much is appropriate?”

3. The Purification Ceremony After completing the paperwork and payment, you’re guided to a small ceremonial room where a Shinto priest performs the purification ritual. The atmosphere is solemn and respectful, with traditional chanting and symbolic gestures.

4. Receiving Protective Items Following the ceremony, you receive a “kigan-shou” (祈願章) – a protective charm or certificate – along with small gifts. The contents of these gift packages typically correspond to your offering amount and might include items like blessed chopsticks, small traditional sweets, or other symbolic objects.

I always display my kigan-shou prominently in my home as a reminder of the protection I’ve received.

The Variety Between Different Shrines

What fascinates me is how different shrines have their own unique traditions. While I receive chopsticks and sweets at Waka Hachimangu, a friend told me that at another shrine, she received woven straw decorations instead. These regional variations add richness to the overall tradition.

The Final Step: Gratitude Visit

After completing my three-year yakudoshi period (mae-yaku, main year, and ato-yaku), I make what’s called an “orei-mairi” (お礼参り) – a gratitude visit to thank the shrine for three years of protection.

This means that during my entire thirties, I’m basically visiting shrines almost every year! It’s become such a regular part of my routine that I joke about having an annual shrine appointment.

The Reality Check: Do People Actually Believe This?

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: not all Japanese people take yakudoshi seriously. Many view it as superstition without scientific backing, and they’re absolutely right that there’s no concrete evidence that these specific ages bring more misfortune than others.

However, there’s an interesting theory that explains why these ages were chosen historically. The yakudoshi years often coincide with major life transitions and physical changes:

• Early twenties and thirties: Career establishment and family formation stress
• Forties: Health changes and midlife pressures
• Sixties: Retirement and aging concerns

Perhaps yakudoshi evolved as a wise cultural system for encouraging people to pay extra attention to their health and life choices during naturally stressful periods.

My own perspective has evolved over the years. While I used to fear yakudoshi excessively, I now view it more as a gentle reminder to prioritize my health and well-being during potentially challenging life phases. It’s become less about superstition and more about mindful living.

The Fascinating Contradiction of Japanese Spirituality

What I find most intriguing about yakudoshi is how it reflects a broader characteristic of Japanese culture. While many Japanese people describe themselves as non-religious or secular, they still participate in traditional practices like yakudoshi, shrine visits during New Year, and various seasonal ceremonies.

This isn’t necessarily contradiction – it’s more like cultural participation that transcends strict religious belief. These traditions provide structure, community connection, and mindful moments in busy modern life.

Practical Information: Visiting Waka Hachimangu Shrine

If you’re curious about experiencing yakudoshi purification yourself, or you’re a Japanese person living abroad wanting to maintain this tradition, here’s what you should know about Waka Hachimangu:

Waka Hachimangū (若八幡宮) – Basic Information

Name: Waka Hachimangū (若八幡宮)
Location: 1-29-47, Hakata Ward Hakawa-eki-mae, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Nearest stations: 6 minutes on foot from Gion Station, 10 minutes on foot from JR Hakata Station

Timing and Crowds January is absolutely the busiest time, with thousands of visitors seeking New Year purifications. Even visiting on a weekday at the end of January, I waited nearly two hours! The experience taught me patience, though my scalp got quite painful from standing in direct sunlight during winter.

Important Visitor Notes

• During peak periods, only the person receiving purification can enter the ceremonial room
• During peak periods, companions must wait outside and cannot participate in the actual ritual
• Dress respectfully – business casual or traditional clothing is appropriate
• Bring cash for the offering, as credit cards typically aren’t accepted

The Broader Cultural Context

Understanding yakudoshi offers valuable insights into Japanese approaches to life planning, risk management, and community rituals. It demonstrates how traditional wisdom can coexist with modern life, providing psychological comfort and social connection even in our increasingly secular world.

Whether you view yakudoshi as meaningful tradition or interesting cultural curiosity, it represents something uniquely Japanese: the careful attention to life’s rhythms and the community support that helps navigate challenging periods.

Your Thoughts and Questions

What do you think about Japan’s yakudoshi tradition? Does your culture have similar practices for marking significant life transitions or periods of caution? I’d love to hear your perspectives and answer any questions you might have about this fascinating aspect of Japanese culture.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments – whether you’re intrigued, skeptical, or curious to learn more about how these traditions continue to influence modern Japanese life!