Omikuji are randomly drawn fortune telling slips of paper found at many shrines and temples. They contain predictions ranging from daikichi ("great good luck") to daikyo ("great bad luck"). By tying the piece of paper around a tree's branch, good fortune will come true or bad fortune can be averted.
Visitors to shinto shrines often write their wishes on wooden plates like these called ema. They leave them at the shrine in the hope that their wishes come true. Many people wish for good health, success in business, passing entrance exams, love or wealth.
Note the Omikuji tied to the string at the bottom of the picture.
Komainu are a pair of guardian dogs or lions, often found on each side of a shrine's entrance.
