Yakudoshi (厄年): Japan's 'Unlucky Ages' Explained
Yakudoshi (厄年) are the 'unlucky ages' in Japan—traditionally calculated using kazoedoshi (数え年). This guide explains what yakudoshi means, how to calculate your age correctly, typical ages for men and women, and what people actually do (yakubarai/yakuyoke).
Definition
Yakudoshi (厄年 やくどし) refers to certain ages that are traditionally seen as life turning points—times when people may be more prone to health issues, accidents, or other “calamities,” and therefore should live more cautiously.
A key point for non-Japanese readers: yakudoshi ages are typically counted using kazoedoshi (数え年 かぞえどし), a traditional Japanese age system where a baby is “1” at birth and age increases at New Year (not on your birthday).
Key Points
1) Always check yakudoshi using kazoedoshi, not Western age
Kazoedoshi works as follows: you are counted as 1 at birth, and you add one year on New Year’s Day.
Practical shortcuts (widely used by shrines):
| Method | Formula |
|---|---|
| From birth year | Kazoe age = current year − birth year + 1 |
| From Western age (before birthday) | full age + 2 |
| From Western age (after birthday) | full age + 1 |
2) Typical yakudoshi ages (and the “3-year window”)
Many references describe a 3-year span:
| Term | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Maeyaku | 前厄 (まえやく) | The year before |
| Honyaku | 本厄 (ほんやく) | The main yakudoshi year |
| Atoyaku | 後厄 (あとやく) | The year after |
Commonly cited yakudoshi ages (in kazoedoshi):
| Gender | Yakudoshi Ages | Major Yakudoshi (大厄) |
|---|---|---|
| Men | 25, 42, 61 | 42 |
| Women | 19, 33, 37 (sometimes 61) | 33 |
3) The list can vary by region, shrine, or temple
Even official Shinto guidance notes that details may differ by region. Some shrines emphasize a smaller “core” set (e.g., men 25/42, women 19/33) and explicitly mention that other areas add additional ages.
4) What people do in a yakudoshi year
Many people visit a shrine or temple to receive a protective ritual/prayer:
| Term | Japanese | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Yakubarai | 厄祓い (やくばらい) | Shrines |
| Yakuyoke | 厄除け (やくよけ) | Shrines and temples |
A common approach is to do it around New Year, because kazoedoshi “changes” at New Year—but there is typically no strict deadline. Some guidance suggests choosing a meaningful day (e.g., your birthday) and going early in the year if possible.
5) Etiquette basics
- Avoid clothing that would be inappropriate for meeting someone senior
- Some shrines may have specific dress rules
- Because you may remove shoes, wearing socks/stockings is recommended
Comparison
Kazoedoshi vs Western age (why foreigners get confused)
| System | When age changes |
|---|---|
| Western age | On your birthday |
| Kazoedoshi | At New Year |
That means the “same person” can be:
- Western age: 32
- Kazoedoshi: 33 or 34 (depending on whether their birthday has already happened this year)
“Yakudoshi is a bad year” vs “Yakudoshi is a checkpoint”
Many modern shrine explanations frame yakudoshi less as “certain disaster” and more as a checkpoint: a reminder to review your lifestyle, health, and responsibilities, and to live carefully.
A cultural note (why the idea persists)
Yakudoshi was also connected to community roles and rites of passage, not only fear of misfortune. Academic research emphasizes that yakudoshi customs have long existed and vary widely by region and institution.
Examples
Example 1: “Am I in yakudoshi this year?” (3-step method)
- Pick the year you care about (e.g., 2026)
- Compute kazoedoshi:
kazoe age = 2026 − birth year + 1 - Compare to the yakudoshi list, including the 3-year window (maeyaku/honyaku/atoyaku)
Example 2: Concrete samples
Case A (woman born in 1994):
2026 − 1994 + 1 = 33 → Major yakudoshi (taiyaku)
Case B (man born in 1985):
2026 − 1985 + 1 = 42 → Major yakudoshi (taiyaku)
Example 3: “I only know my Western age—what’s my kazoedoshi?”
Use the shrine-style conversion rule:
- If you haven’t had your birthday yet this year → full age + 2
- If you already had your birthday → full age + 1
This is extremely useful when a Japanese colleague asks: “Are you in yakudoshi this year?”
Example 4: When should I do yakubarai/yakuyoke?
A typical pattern:
- Many people do it near New Year (because kazoe age changes then)
- But there’s no universal “must-do-by” date
- You can also choose a meaningful date like your birthday
Copy-ready sentence:
“I’m in my yakudoshi year, so I’m planning to do yakubarai sometime this month.”
Example 5: What does it cost?
Costs and reservations vary widely by institution. Examples:
- Some shrines list around ¥5,000–7,000+ for a standard prayer
- Some temples list specific amounts (e.g., ¥7,000 / ¥12,000)
- Reservation requirements differ by location
Best practice: Check the shrine/temple’s website for reservation rules and the suggested offering amount (初穂料, hatsuhoryo).
Example 6: Proxy applications
If you’re busy, some institutions allow a proxy to apply for the prayer/ritual on your behalf.
Copy-Ready Templates
Email / Slack (business-neutral)
“Just a quick note: I’m planning a short personal appointment at a shrine for a traditional ceremony (yakubarai) this week. I’ll be offline for about an hour.”
Explaining yakudoshi in one sentence
“Yakudoshi is a Japanese tradition that marks certain ages—counted using Japan’s traditional age system—as life turning points when people try to be extra cautious.”
Website-friendly definition block
“Yakudoshi (厄年) are the ‘unlucky ages’ in Japan. They are usually calculated using kazoedoshi (数え年), where age increases at New Year. The most common yakudoshi ages are 25/42/61 for men and 19/33/37 for women, but details can vary by region and institution.”