An Inside Look at Miko (Shrine Maiden) School in Japan

What does it take to become a certified Shinto shrine maiden? A certified miko gives us an insider’s look at a miko school in Japan.

By J. “Rin” Shiroshita

From Sailor Moon to Inuyasha, one of the most famous figures to come out of Shinto into mainstream Japanese media is the shrine maiden, or the miko. With the elegant red and white kimono ensemble, the image of a mysterious maiden with supernatural, shaman abilities has found itself in popular Japanese stories ranging from anime to live-action films and more.

Over the centuries, the position of miko within Japan has shifted and changed. Yet it’s always remained an integral part of Japanese culture. Today, you can see miko at major shrines, selling omamori and helping maintain the shrine.

Recently, the establishment of the first-ever miko School opened a new chapter for miko in Japan. For many people, including most Japanese, this seems like a curious concept at first. Isn’t miko today only a part-time job? Why would there be a need for a formal school?

In 2021, I had the privilege of enrolling in this school and have completed up to my intermediate level certification. Lately I’ve reflected upon what a wonderful…