Lovely handmade crafts

Let's make a mikoshi by hand! From simple ideas to full-scale DIY!

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

When it comes to things you can’t do without at a summer festival, the mikoshi portable shrine surely comes to mind.

A mikoshi is considered a vehicle for the gods; as it is carried around the neighborhood, it is believed to ward off misfortune and grant wishes.

This article introduces DIY ideas for making your own mikoshi.

Since the materials are often just cardboard, you can create a lightweight mikoshi that even children can carry.

Cardboard can be cut without special tools, making it a fun craft project as well.

Of course, you can also make a more authentic mikoshi out of real wood!

Let's make a mikoshi by hand! From simple ideas to full-scale DIY!

[Thick Paperboard and Cardboard] Children’s Portable Shrine (Mikoshi)

Scene of making a paper portable shrine

[Thick Paperboard and Cardboard] Children's Portable Shrine (Mikoshi)

An omikoshi made from thick paper and cardboard has two big advantages: it’s easy to decorate and light to carry.

While keeping the basic structure—a central palanquin with poles extending from it—let’s convey the fun of the festival with free-form designs.

One recommended approach is to build the omikoshi shape with white cardstock and then have everyone freely draw on it.

Don’t limit yourselves to images that just evoke a festival; it’s best to fill it with pictures that make people want to carry it—art that conveys excitement and joy to the fullest.

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[Cardboard] Portable shrine for toddlers

[Preschool Craft] A portable shrine (mikoshi) that looks high-quality yet is easy to make using cardboard and everyday materials.

[Cardboard] Portable shrine for toddlers

A simple yet high-quality mikoshi made from cardboard and everyday materials.

You start with a box-shaped piece of cardboard as the base, then attach parts like the carrying poles and roof, and add decorations.

Cover the entire cardboard with black paper, and attach a larger piece of cardboard for the roof than the main body.

Make sure to decorate thoroughly with black and gold paper so no cardboard is visible.

A key point is that the carrying poles run through the main body; stabilizing this section will let everyone enjoy the mikoshi safely.

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In conclusion

We introduced some DIY mikoshi ideas.

Did you find a mikoshi design you’d like to make? A handmade mikoshi basically consists of the base, carrying poles, main body, roof, and decorations.

Using easy-to-handle cardboard makes it simple to build, and you can even draw elements like a torii gate and ornaments directly onto the body.

Be sure to customize it as you create your own!