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!

[Cardboard] portable shrine with linked bells

Mikoshi Project — Oojima-no-Sato Craft Club

[Cardboard] portable shrine with linked bells

Not only the gorgeous appearance but also the sound of bells that ring when it sways are important elements that convey the joy of a mikoshi.

Why not incorporate that lively bell sound into a mikoshi made of cardboard as well? First, assemble the basic mikoshi shape out of cardboard, then add hanging decorations to it.

Use decorations reminiscent of a real mikoshi—like a series of connected circles—and attach small bells to the ends.

This way, the overlapping bell tones will create a luxurious atmosphere and enhance the festive feel.

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A cute-design mikoshi

While keeping the classic mikoshi form—poles for carrying with a box mounted on them—this concept focuses on design details.

A dazzling, cute design makes the joy of carrying it stand out even more, and it helps it appeal to everyone around.

It could be fun to gather ideas for favorite patterns or characters and pack them all into a single mikoshi.

Let’s aim for a free-spirited, enjoyable mikoshi by printing and pasting patterns, having each person draw illustrations, and more.

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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!