Writing prayers on Ema & Gomagi

 Wow you have options here  in addition to omikuji, there are Emas, which are small plaques you can write your wish and you hang it on a rack at the temple or shrine.  

Ema (絵馬) in Japan are small wooden plaques where people write wishes, prayers, or thanks to the Shinto gods (kami) at shrines and temples, a tradition evolving from offering live horses. Visitors buy these plaques, often decorated with zodiac animals or shrine symbols, write their requests (like exam success, love, or health) on the back, and hang them on designated racks, believing the spirits will receive their messages. They serve as a tangible link between people and the divine, functioning like a mailbox for prayers. 

I didn't read these before taking pics.

I had filled one of these out at the Zenkoji Temple, where I achieved enlightenment (for a few minutes), because the world is in a state.

  

Another option is the Goma fire ritual, where you write your prayer on a wooden stick.  I did one of these as well but you left your stick, and they would burn it later when they had their ritual. Some temples have a schedule where you can write your blessing and stay to see the smoke rise to the heavens.  If you are looking for one look for Shingon Buddhist temples so you can participate in the rituals.

(This is an earthquake donation box, but it was right next to where the sticks were lol)

I didn't get any photos, but did find this blog entry if you want to read more.

https://untappedkumamoto.com/history-culture/4231

Japan's burning prayers rituals, primarily the esoteric Buddhist Goma Fire Ritual, involve writing wishes on wooden sticks (gomagi) and burning them in sacred flames to purify negativity, gain wisdom, and grant prayers, often accompanied by intense chanting, drumming, and symbolic hand gestures (mudras) to achieve spiritual renewal, with similar fire ceremonies like Yahahaero also cleansing negative energies for good fortune. 

The Goma Ritual (Goma-gyō):

• Core Belief: A powerful Shingon Buddhist practice symbolizing the burning away of worldly desires, obstacles, and negative karma with the Buddha's wisdom.
• The Process:
  • Participants write prayers on small wooden sticks called gomagi.
  • A priest builds a fire in a special hearth, chanting mantras and performing specific hand gestures (mudras).
  • The gomagi, representing prayers and impurities, are thrown into the flames, offering them to the fire.
  • Rhythmic taiko drumming and chanting create a trance-like, meditative atmosphere.
• Purpose: Spiritual cleansing, purification, protection, and fulfillment of wishes, often performed at temples like Tanukidanisan Fudo-in, Kinpusenji temple, and Fukagawa Fudo Temple. 

There are shrines and temples everywhere, even at top floors of department stores.