Japan Kumade Guide 2025
On November nights in Tokyo, shrine grounds blaze with light as hundreds of stalls sell luck — in the form of ornamental bamboo rakes covered in treasure ships, Daruma dolls, and golden coins. Tori-no-ichi is Japan's most atmospheric autumn market, and the kumade (lucky rake) you bring home is unlike any souvenir from anywhere else in the world.
Stay in Tokyo for Tori-no-Ichi Season
November in Tokyo brings tori-no-ichi markets, shichi-go-san at Meiji Jingu, and early autumn atmosphere — one of the year's most atmospheric months to visit.
What Is a Kumade?
A kumade (熊手, literally “bear claw”) is an ornamental lucky rake sold at tori-no-ichi (酉の市) autumn markets. Unlike an ordinary rake, kumade are decorative objects — bamboo rakes elaborately adorned with miniature lucky items: treasure ships (takarabune), Daruma dolls, pine branches, fans, coins, cranes, turtles, and the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin).
Kumade Lucky Symbols
Tori-no-Ichi Markets
Tori-no-ichi (酉の市, “Rooster Market”) markets are held on the days of the rooster (tori) in November according to the traditional 12-day Japanese calendar cycle. In most years there are two rooster days in November (an-no-ichi and ni-no-ichi); in some years there are three. The markets run from early evening until midnight at shrine grounds across Japan.
Otori Shrine — Asakusa (Tokyo)
Tokyo's Most FamousOtori Shrine in Asakusa hosts Tokyo's most celebrated tori-no-ichi, drawing 600,000+ visitors across the two or three market days. Dozens of stalls sell kumade of every size — from ¥3,000 pocket-sized versions to ¥500,000 enormous showpiece rakes for large businesses. The stalls cluster around the shrine and along the surrounding streets; the atmosphere is festive and food vendor-filled from 17:00 onward. Access: Asakusa Station (Ginza/Tobu/Tsukuba lines).
Hanazono Shrine — Shinjuku (Tokyo)
The tori-no-ichi at Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku is the second-largest in Tokyo — notable for its central location within the city's entertainment and business district, where kumade are bought primarily by shop owners and bar owners from the surrounding Golden Gai and Kabukicho areas. A vibrant, urban market atmosphere very different from Asakusa.
How to Buy a Kumade
Purchasing a kumade follows a distinct ritual — the price is negotiated (one of the few contexts in Japan where open price negotiation is culturally expected and encouraged), and the purchase is completed with a ceremonial hand-clapping celebration.
The Kumade Buying Process
- Choose your size: Larger kumade are thought to bring greater fortune — businesses typically buy the largest affordable. Individuals often buy smaller sizes (¥3,000–¥10,000).
- Negotiate the price: Open negotiation is expected — vendors expect buyers to try for a discount. The negotiation itself is symbolic; a mutually agreed price suggests a mutually beneficial relationship ahead.
- The hand-clapping ceremony (te-jime): After the price is agreed, the vendor leads a ceremonial clapping sequence — typically 3-3-3-1 claps (san-san-san-ippo) — to celebrate the transaction. All bystanders join in. This celebratory moment is one of tori-no-ichi's most memorable experiences.
- Carry it home: Kumade should be carried facing outward (not tucked under an arm) to show off your good fortune and allow it to “collect” luck as you walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Book Your Tokyo November Hotel
November brings some of Tokyo's most distinctive cultural events — tori-no-ichi, shichi-go-san, and autumn atmosphere. Book early for the best options.