Yakudoshi Calculator — Japanese Bad Luck Years
Enter your birth year and gender to see all your yakudoshi (厄年) bad luck years. Shows mae-yaku (pre), hon-yaku (main), and ato-yaku (post) phases with dai-yaku (great calamity) years highlighted. Calculated in kazoe-doshi (traditional Japanese age).
Yakudoshi Ages for 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Ages shown in kazoe-doshi. Birth years are approximate.
| Phase | Kazoe Age | Male Birth Year | Female Birth Year |
|---|
| Mae-yaku | 18 | — | 2009 |
| Hon-yaku | 19 | — | 2008 |
| Ato-yaku | 20 | — | 2007 |
| Mae-yaku | 24 | 2003 | — |
| Hon-yaku | 25 | 2002 | — |
| Ato-yaku | 26 | 2001 | — |
| Mae-yaku | 32 | — | 1995 |
| Hon-yaku (Dai-yaku) | 33 | — | 1994 |
| Ato-yaku | 34 | — | 1993 |
| Mae-yaku | 36 | — | 1991 |
| Hon-yaku (Dai-yaku) | 37 | — | 1990 |
| Ato-yaku | 38 | — | 1989 |
| Mae-yaku | 41 | 1986 | — |
| Hon-yaku (Dai-yaku) | 42 | 1985 | — |
| Ato-yaku | 43 | 1984 | — |
| Mae-yaku | 60 | 1967 | 1967 |
| Hon-yaku | 61 | 1966 | 1966 |
| Ato-yaku | 62 | 1965 | 1965 |
What Is Yakudoshi? Understanding Japanese Bad Luck Years
Yakudoshi (厄年) is a traditional Japanese belief that certain ages bring increased susceptibility to misfortune and calamity. Ages are calculated using kazoe-doshi (数え年), the traditional Japanese counting system where you are 1 year old at birth and gain a year every January 1st — meaning your kazoe age is typically 1 to 2 years higher than your Western age.
For men, the main yakudoshi (hon-yaku) ages are 25, 42, and 61. For women, they are 19, 33, 37, and 61. Each hon-yaku year is preceded by a mae-yaku (pre-calamity year) and followed by an ato-yaku (post-calamity year), making each cycle three years long. The most critical years, called dai-yaku (大厄), are age 42 for men and ages 33 and 37 for women. The word for 42 (shi-ni) sounds like "death" in Japanese, and 33 (san-zan) sounds like "miserable" — though these are folk etymologies rather than the origin of the tradition.
Yakubarai: Visiting a Shrine for Purification
Many Japanese people visit a Shinto shrine during their yakudoshi years for yakubarai (厄払い), a purification ceremony to ward off bad luck. The most popular time for yakubarai is between New Year's Day and Setsubun (around February 3). The shrine fee (hatsuho-ryo) typically ranges from 3,000 to 10,000 yen. Practices vary by shrine and region, so it is recommended to check with your local shrine in advance.
For foreigners living in Japan, participating in yakubarai is entirely optional but can be a meaningful cultural experience. Whether or not you believe in yakudoshi, many Japanese people view these years as a prompt for health checkups and life reflection — a practical benefit regardless of spiritual belief. You can calculate your kazoe-doshi age using our Kazoe-doshi Calculator, or check your Western age with the Age Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the yakudoshi ages in 2026?
In 2026 (Reiwa 8), yakudoshi ages in kazoe-doshi are: Males — mae-yaku at 24, 41, 60; hon-yaku at 25, 42, 61; ato-yaku at 26, 43, 62. Females — mae-yaku at 18, 32, 36, 60; hon-yaku at 19, 33, 37, 61; ato-yaku at 20, 34, 38, 62. The most critical (dai-yaku) is 42 for men and 33/37 for women.
Is yakudoshi calculated using kazoe-doshi age?
Yes, yakudoshi uses kazoe-doshi, the traditional Japanese age counting system. You are 1 year old at birth and gain a year every January 1st. This means your kazoe age is typically 1 or 2 years higher than your Western age.
What is dai-yaku?
Dai-yaku means "great calamity year" and refers to the most critical yakudoshi ages. For men, it is kazoe age 42; for women, ages 33 and 37. These are considered the years when one is most susceptible to misfortune.
When should I visit a shrine for yakubarai?
Yakubarai ceremonies are typically performed between New Year's Day and Setsubun (around February 3). Shrine fees range from 3,000 to 10,000 yen. Each shrine may have different practices, so check with your local shrine.
Do foreigners in Japan observe yakudoshi?
Yakudoshi is a traditional cultural practice, and observance is entirely personal. Some foreigners participate in yakubarai as a cultural experience. Understanding the concept can help you appreciate Japanese culture and support friends observing their yakudoshi year.