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 Collection of Stylish Ideas Using Paper and Artificial Flowers (1–10)
Small shimenawa decoration made with tissue paper
This is a very cute mini shimenawa made with tissue paper.
It’s very easy to make: divide the tissue paper into three equal parts, then with the smooth side facing inward, crumple and twist it to form a cord-like shape.
Hold it with one hand and twist with the other to make a thin, firm paper cord.
Make three of these, tape them to your table to secure, and twist them together like a braid to form a rope.
Once you finish twisting, remove the tape, shape it into a circle, and tie it firmly in two spots with a separate paper cord to complete the base.
Trim any excess, add decorations you like, and you’ll have your own original mini shimenawa.
Attach a string to hang it on a wall or door—the handmade warmth really comes through.
Give it a try!
A lightweight shimenawa decoration made of paper
This is a lightweight shimenawa New Year’s wreath you can make mostly with items from 100-yen shops, using paper as the main material—perfect for the New Year.
The base shimenawa comes together easily just by twisting paper cords, so even children can work on it with the help of an adult.
For decorations, use familiar materials like flowers made from colored washi paper, red berries, mizuhiki cords, and wire to arrange as you like.
Since it’s mostly paper, it’s easy to handle and turns out light, which is another plus.
Using rubber bands and masking tape for securing, and needing only scissors and glue to make it, keeps things simple and accessible.
As everyone discusses “what decorations should we add?” while making it together, the excitement of welcoming the New Year grows, and you can share a warm, joyful time.
Shimenawa wreath with pink dahlias
Let’s make a festive shimenawa wreath using a large pink dahlia artificial flower! If you want to try making a shimenawa wreath with faux flowers but aren’t sure which ones to choose, pink dahlias are highly recommended.
Pink dahlias have many small petals layered in tiers, making them very showy.
Their round, plump shape also gives a cute impression.
A pink dahlia has a presence strong enough to take center stage on its own.
If you place a pink dahlia at the center and add decorations that complement it, you’re sure to create a piece you’ll love.
Tissue paper floral shimenawa wreath
This is a shimenawa wreath that makes the most of the tissue paper’s soft look and feel, conveying both splendor and warmth.
Because thinness is a key feature of tissue paper, stack and glue several sheets together for the rope, then wrap them around a core like tissue to form a rounded strand.
Prepare two of these rounded strands of tissue paper, twist each one, and braid them together to complete the shimenawa base.
Then decorate it with motifs such as flowers or fans.
Choosing the color for the base shimenawa and balancing the decorations to match it offers plenty of room for creative arrangements—another highlight of this project.
Stylish shimenawa wreath made with 100-yen shop artificial flowers!
Let’s make a stylish shimenawa using artificial flowers you can buy at 100-yen shops! First, prepare a simple shimenawa with few decorations.
Start by adding artificial rice stalks.
The key when attaching the flowers is to gently bend them to match the curve of the shimenawa so they blend in nicely.
Once you’ve decided on the general angle and placement, secure them firmly with a hot glue gun.
Following the same steps, add plum branches and any artificial flowers you like, and your original, stylish shimenawa is complete!
Stylish shimenawa decoration
Boldly customize a 100-yen shop shimenawa and remake it into a stylish design! By using an already finished shimenawa as the base, you can easily create a professional-looking piece.
The original decorations are often simply attached with wire or glue, so they’re easy to remove, reposition, or adjust the angle of the shimenawa, giving you lots of freedom to arrange it.
After dramatically changing the shape, just add decorations like artificial flowers.
Among them, gold and silver mizuhiki cords are especially useful—they create a New Year’s feel without clashing with other ornaments.
Keep an open mind and try making a shimenawa in any shape you like!
Paper quilling shimenawa wreath
One thing I’d love you to incorporate into a handmade shimenawa wreath is paper quilling.
Paper quilling is a decorative art made by tightly rolling thin strips of paper into spirals.
Its history reportedly goes all the way back to the Renaissance.
The allure of paper quilling lies in its exquisitely delicate finish.
It might even resemble Japan’s mizuhiki a little.
You can use it to decorate a prepared shimenawa, or, alternatively, spread paper out like a fan as a base and create a shimenawa-style ornament with paper quilling as the main feature—both are great options!