Frequently Asked Questions

Selection values alignment with the association’s principles, respect for culture, willingness to learn, and the motivation to stay involved, rather than judging by age or gender alone. Applications are welcome from across Japan.

Minors may apply with a parent’s or guardian’s consent. Activities will be discussed with the association with consideration for studies and safety.

Japanese sufficient to communicate with the association and understand training is the basic language requirement. Foreign-language skills are not mandatory, but sharing culture in other languages is also welcome.

You can apply without prior service as a shrine miko or specialist knowledge. Respect, curiosity, and a willingness to learn are central, with foundational learning planned around the start of the program.

At present, taking or passing Miko Kentei is not stated as a mandatory application condition.

Miko Kentei and the Miko Ambassador initiative are related programs of the same association, but they have different purposes and participation routes. Please check the conditions stated in the application form.

Yes, you can apply. Selection considers the quality and tone of public communication, cultural care, and sustainable participation, as well as follower count.

Applications are welcome from across Japan. Activities can draw on your location and strengths, including introducing local culture and sharing through social media. The association intends to combine these with communication using its photographs and information for those living farther away. Conditions for in-person training and events will be provided in advance.

Being active in a band or as a solo musician does not itself prevent an application. Your creative work and communication skills can also help introduce Japanese culture.

Respect cultural practitioners, shrines, and festivals. Consult the association in advance before using the ambassador title in music or commercial activities.

There are no application or registration fees. Activity expenses are handled separately, so please also review who pays those costs.

Basic ambassador activities do not carry monetary compensation. There is generally no fixed payment for routine introductions, coverage, or cultural communication.

If the association separately commissions a performance, production, or event operation, its policy is to discuss payment and conditions separately from basic activities.

Ordinary activity expenses, such as travel and purchasing items, are generally paid by the ambassador. Travel and accommodation for the third-stage in-person interview are also at your own expense. Activity details and responsibility for costs will be explained in advance.

To support ambassadors’ learning, the following opportunities are included without charge.

Miko experience sessions

No limit on the number of sessions

Miko dance classes

No limit on the number of classes

Miko Kentei

Examination fees from beginner to advanced level

Study sessions and workshops

Selected sessions designated by the association from those it regularly organizes

Conditions for examination retakes, textbooks, and materials will be provided separately. This does not make every course or activity expense free of charge.

For promotional events to which the association invites ambassadors, its policy is to cover costs, including travel. Eligible expenses, arrangements, and reimbursement procedures will be provided individually with the invitation. This is separate from ordinary activity expenses.

Clothing loans are planned to require advance consultation with the association about the activity and place of use.

Eligible activities, any loan, shipping, or cleaning charges, return deadlines, and damage conditions will be provided separately.

Clothing loans and costume costs for all activities are not automatically included among the free benefits.

Miko Ambassadors introduce culture and the association’s activities. This differs from the role of a certified instructor teaching classes or miko dance.

Appointment or attendance at free experience sessions and classes does not confer an instructor qualification. Instructor-training fees, instructor certification assessments, and instructor qualifications are not among the free benefits.

Learn about culture and introduce verified information and insights from experience in your own words through social media or other channels. Examples include explaining a shrine’s history, describing a cultural experience, or introducing an association event with its official information.

The six activities are themes for cultural communication. Responsibilities will be adjusted to your location, strengths, and available opportunities. Ambassadors are not expected to carry out all six every month. Training dates, activity frequency, and required or optional participation will be announced once confirmed.

Training dates, activity frequency, and required or optional participation will be announced once confirmed. The social media posting frequency requested in the application form is a sustainable estimate, not a commitment to post at that frequency. Participation conditions for invited events will also be provided individually.

Official ambassadors are cultural communicators selected and appointed by the Japan Cultural Heritage Association. This does not indicate endorsement by all shrines or public authorities, or affiliation with an individual shrine.

The Japan Cultural Heritage Association operates the program, makes selection decisions, and appoints ambassadors. First Innovation Inc. provides website production and recruitment administration support within the scope agreed with the association.

The Miko Ambassador program is part of the Japanese Cultural Heritage Project organized by the Japan Cultural Heritage Association.

This is a program for communicating the appeal of Japanese culture. It is not recruitment for shrine miko employment, affiliation with a shrine, or a route to a shrine qualification.

Ambassador appointment, shrine service, teaching, and Miko Kentei qualifications have separate roles and requirements. Appointment alone does not grant a qualification to serve at a shrine or teach.

The program includes learning about Shinto cultural context and conduct. The activity guidelines prohibit using the program for religious recruitment or soliciting religious donations. Check each activity notice or contact the association about participation in worship or rituals.

Sharing culture with audiences abroad through social media is separate from overseas travel, assignments, or performances. Appointment does not guarantee overseas travel or performance opportunities.

This will generally be reviewed individually. Please disclose potential conflicts or confusing overlaps during the application or interview.

Permission, media, duration, and usage scope will be stated in each activity notice or the final program terms.

Material will not be extended beyond the agreed purpose without the relevant consent.

Please contact the program team as early as possible if health, work, study, family, or other circumstances make participation difficult.

Notice, handover, loaned items, and confidential information will be addressed in the final program terms.

Due to popular demand, a second intake is now open for approximately 14 days from opening. Review the recruitment outline and selection schedule, then use the application form linked from the How to Apply page.

Check the form’s latest information for the closing time and current availability.

First-intake social media reviews run October 5–28, 2026, and online interviews run October 12–November 2.

For the second intake, reviews and interviews begin during the application period. Final selection will bring together applicants who pass the second stage from both intakes in the latter half of November 2026 (planned).

The final stage is an in-person interview in Tokyo. The date and venue will be provided individually to eligible applicants. Dates may change depending on application volume.

Only applicants who pass each stage are contacted, on a rolling basis. The Japan Cultural Heritage Association makes selection decisions and appointments.

Notifications arrive by DM on your selected platform from the official accounts listed in the application information (Instagram: @firstinnovation_inc; X: @fstinnovations).

Enable DMs and check message requests regularly.

Use a public Instagram or X account that you operate yourself. Keep it public throughout selection and the ambassador term.