Let's make our own shimenawa! A collection of stylish ideas you can create with paper and artificial flowers
Shimenawa to decorate your front entrance for the New Year.
Ready-made ones are lovely, but wouldn’t you like to try making one yourself? In this article, we introduce a variety of DIY shimenawa ideas using artificial flowers, different kinds of paper, yarn, craft tape, and more.
There are plenty of ideas that suit not only Japanese-style homes but also Western-style interiors.
We’ve gathered a wide range of variations, so please use them as inspiration.
Why not prepare for the New Year by making your own original shimenawa with simple materials and have fun in the process?
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Let's make a shimenawa by hand! A stylish collection of ideas you can create with paper and artificial flowers (41–50)
Simple shimenawa made from rice straw
Do you think making a shimenawa with authentic materials must be difficult? Actually, even if you use rice straw—the material commonly used for shimenawa—it’s surprisingly easy! Prepare 20–30 stalks of rice straw and bundle them together.
Divide the bundle into two equal sections, twist each one tightly, then twist the two bundles together.
Repeat this process to form a loop for the shimenawa.
Tie the ends of the loop together with hemp twine to secure the circle, then trim any stray straw to neaten the shape.
Attach a small loop of hemp twine for hanging, add shide (paper streamers) or plant decorations, and you’re done! Try displaying it at your entrance.
A shimenawa wreath made with artificial roses
This is a New Year’s decoration that uses only artificial flowers you can find at 100-yen shops, yet captures the vibrant look of fresh blooms.
The process is very simple—basically just two steps: “insert” and “glue with a hot glue gun.” That makes it great for beginners working with floral materials or for parent–child crafting.
Materials include artificial flowers such as nandina, velvet roses, and flower sprays, along with a vertical-style New Year’s shimenawa, mizuhiki cords, and braided Edo cords.
Artificial flowers are easy to handle because they hold their shape, and you can change the arrangement to adjust the overall impression.
You’ll need wire or string to bundle the mizuhiki, but there aren’t many complicated steps.
With its calm color palette, it brings an elegant, modern-Japanese feel to an entryway or interior space.
It’s easy yet looks professional—give it a try!
Shimenawa wreath made with 100-yen shop materials
This is about using a simple shimenawa decoration as a base and transforming it into something more festive by adding embellishments.
From the original shimenawa, we’ll use just the rope part with the decorations removed, so carefully detach the ornaments so they can be reused later.
Then attach artificial flowers—starting with nandina (heavenly bamboo)—and other decorative elements that add a sense of splendor to the rope.
If you want to highlight the knot in the rope, place decorations on the other sections; if you prefer to hide the knot, attach decorations over the knot itself.
If you also rearrange the original ornaments with a sense of balance, you can clearly convey the celebratory feeling of the New Year.
Crocheted shimenawa decoration
Charmed by its cute look! Here’s a crochet shimenawa decoration idea.
In this project, you twist yarn to form the shimenawa rope, crochet decorative flowers and leaves, and attach them.
Since it’s made of yarn, the finished decoration has a warm, cozy feel.
It’s also great that you can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop.
By the way, making an amigurumi to display as a set is also recommended.
Just imagine creating a shimenawa featuring your favorite character or animal—it’s exciting, isn’t it?
New Year’s decoration made with a shimenawa and artificial flowers
If you want a glamorous vibe, New Year’s decorations made with a shimenawa rope and artificial flowers are also recommended.
First, prepare a wreath base that you can buy at a 100-yen shop.
Tie the rope onto it as if it were winding along the surface to create a New Year’s feel.
Then decorate it with artificial peonies and pine needles.
It’s already looking quite luxurious, isn’t it? Finally, add mizuhiki ornaments as you like, and you’re done.
The tips of pine needles can be sharp, so it’s best to cover them with tape or similar for safety.
New Year’s wreath with a shimenawa base
A New Year’s wreath using a shimenawa base is lovely.
You can make it with materials from the 100-yen shop, so it’s easy to try.
Just decorate a shimenawa-style base with artificial flowers and pinecones.
If your room has a Western style, adding a lace ribbon works well, too.
Since the materials are light, it’s easy to hang.
Try selecting decorations that match your preferred taste.
I think it’s a wonderful idea that balances New Year’s tradition with style.
Why not make one with your child? It will surely become a fond memory.
Hydrangea shimenawa wreath
Let’s make a stylish shimenawa wreath featuring hydrangeas as the star! You’ll need a shimenawa wreath base, hydrangeas, and any flowers or leaves you like.
Decide where to place the main hydrangea and secure it with hot glue, then decorate around it with leaves, pampas grass, and small flowers.
If you don’t cover the entire wreath and leave some areas undecorated, the hydrangea will stand out and the design will feel well-balanced.
Finish by adding a New Year’s-style mizuhiki ornament, and you’re done! If you remove the mizuhiki ornament, you can enjoy the wreath long after the New Year has passed.
