One of the increasingly popular attractions for travelers in Hokkaido is the local fortune slip, or "Ezo Mikuji." These unique fortunes, themed around local specialties like fishing for saury, digging for potatoes, or scooping up crabs, are a huge hit. In this article, we'll introduce the charm of Ezo Mikuji, focusing on five of the most distinctive types out of the total 15 available.

"Ezo Mikuji" are papier-mâché fortunes modeled after regional specialties and products, considered "local treasures." Inside each one is a fortune slip written in the Hokkaido dialect. They are available at 15 shrines across Hokkaido, and each shrine has devised its own fun and creative way to draw the fortunes! Many shrines also have photo spots perfect for social media, making them fun to visit and collect.

At Kotohira Shrine in Nemuro City, you can find the "Fuku-zanmai Mikuji" (offering fee: 500 yen), which is modeled after the Pacific saury, a fish for which Nemuro boasts the largest catch in Japan. The fortunes are placed in styrofoam boxes, and you use a fishing rod to catch one. For photos, there's a mini charcoal grill and a full meal set available, so why not stage a picture of a grilled saury set meal?

Fish for the saury that calls out to you!

The mini bamboo fishing rods are handmade by the shrine staff.

Grill your freshly caught saury fortune over charcoal!?

The photo prop set is incredibly detailed, with rice, miso soup, and side dishes!

Kotohira Shrine

■ Address: 1-4 Kotohira-cho, Nemuro City

The adorable, round potato fortune, "Yarunara Imo Jaga Mikuji" (offering fee: 500 yen), is available at Urahoro Shrine in Urahoro, Tokachi. The name is a pun, playing on the words "ima" (now) and "imo" (potato), meaning "Now's the time!" There are two ways to draw your fortune. One is to dig it up from a mock field with a mini shovel. The other is to pick one from a steamer basket with tongs. There are fun photo spots set up, so be sure to enjoy them.

The fortunes are buried in a "field" made of wood pellets.

Pick your fortune with tongs from a steamer basket, designed to look like steamed potatoes.

There's also a sizzling plate set, just like at a family restaurant.

The shrine also enshrines Chichigami-jinja, a rare deity of breasts.

Urahoro Shrine

■ Address: 18-1 Higashiyama-cho, Urahoro Town

Located in Japan's northernmost city, Hokumon Shrine offers the "Ikani mo Ii Mikuji" (offering fee: 500 yen), a fortune shaped like a horsehair crab. The name is a pun on "ikani mo ii" (truly good) and "kani" (crab). A key feature is that you can only get this fortune at the shrine office, where you scoop it up with a net. The shrine also sells other unique charms and amulets, such as the "Shima-rider Fuda," available at seven shrines in Hokkaido, and the "Child-granting Charm," featuring a guardian dog with its pup, as the shrine is also known for blessing visitors with children.

Be sure to visit the shrine office to draw your fortune!

Skillfully scoop up a crab with the net and feel like a crab fisherman!

The "Shima-rider Fuda" is a traffic safety sticker featuring a long-tailed tit character.

Hokumon Shrine

■ Address: 1-1-21 Chuo, Wakkanai City

Iwanai Town is famous for its walleye pollock and its roe, tarako. The Ezo Mikuji at Iwanai Shrine, the "Tarafuku Mikuji" (offering fee: 500 yen), is cleverly designed with a fortune slip resembling tarako peeking out from the belly of a pollock. The name is a play on "tara" (cod/pollock) and "tarafuku" (to one's heart's content), embodying a prayer to be "filled with happiness." Draw one and pray for a big catch of good luck!

Iwanai Shrine

■ Address: 41 Miyazono, Iwanai Town

Biei Town is known for its fertile lands where various crops grow. In summer, its beautiful flower gardens and patchwork fields are a popular sight. At Biei Shrine, the town's guardian shrine, you can get the "Tomorokoshi Mikuji" (offering fee: 500 yen), a fortune shaped like corn. The name is a pun on "tomorokoshi" (corn) and a phrase meaning "wealth comes." The fortunes are presented as "grilled corn" on a grilling stand. Grab a pair of tongs and pick one up for an authentic experience!

Biei Shrine

■ Address: 4-1-1 Higashi-machi, Biei Town

Hokkaido's specialty-themed "Ezo Mikuji" are a delight, offering an interactive experience like fishing or digging. These social media-worthy papier-mâché figures are also perfect souvenirs of your trip. Why not enjoy a journey that feels like a stamp rally, visiting all 15 shrines and taking photos along the way?