Yakudoshi (厄年): Japanese unlucky years 2026–2027
Choose a birth year and gender to see every yakudoshi in that life. Many people visit a shrine or temple for yakubarai (purification) in these years.
Yakudoshi in 2026
Birth years, with kazoe age in brackets:
| Maeyaku (before) | Honyaku (main) | Atoyaku (after) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man | 2003 (Kazoe age 24) 1986 (Kazoe age 41) 1967 (Kazoe age 60) | 2002 (Kazoe age 25) 1985 (Kazoe age 42) 1966 (Kazoe age 61) | 2001 (Kazoe age 26) 1984 (Kazoe age 43) 1965 (Kazoe age 62) |
| Woman | 2009 (Kazoe age 18) 1995 (Kazoe age 32) 1991 (Kazoe age 36) 1967 (Kazoe age 60) | 2008 (Kazoe age 19) 1994 (Kazoe age 33) 1990 (Kazoe age 37) 1966 (Kazoe age 61) | 2007 (Kazoe age 20) 1993 (Kazoe age 34) 1989 (Kazoe age 38) 1965 (Kazoe age 62) |
Yakudoshi in 2027
| Maeyaku (before) | Honyaku (main) | Atoyaku (after) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man | 2004 (Kazoe age 24) 1987 (Kazoe age 41) 1968 (Kazoe age 60) | 2003 (Kazoe age 25) 1986 (Kazoe age 42) 1967 (Kazoe age 61) | 2002 (Kazoe age 26) 1985 (Kazoe age 43) 1966 (Kazoe age 62) |
| Woman | 2010 (Kazoe age 18) 1996 (Kazoe age 32) 1992 (Kazoe age 36) 1968 (Kazoe age 60) | 2009 (Kazoe age 19) 1995 (Kazoe age 33) 1991 (Kazoe age 37) 1967 (Kazoe age 61) | 2008 (Kazoe age 20) 1994 (Kazoe age 34) 1990 (Kazoe age 38) 1966 (Kazoe age 62) |
Yakudoshi ages
Yakudoshi are counted in kazoe age. The main unlucky years (honyaku) are 25, 42 and 61 for men and 19, 33, 37 and 61 for women. The year before is maeyaku and the year after is atoyaku. Age 42 for men and 33 for women are the taiyaku (great unlucky year): 42 can be read “shi-ni” (to death) and 33 “san-zan” (terrible).
FAQ
When should I get yakubarai?
Most people go between New Year and Setsubun (around February 3), but many shrines and temples offer it all year.
Is yakudoshi based on kazoe age?
Usually yes. Some shrines use actual age, so check with the shrine you plan to visit.
Does the yakudoshi year start on January 1?
Some shrines use January 1, others use Risshun (around February 4), the traditional start of spring.