An omamori is meant to be purchased and treated with a great deal of respect and reverence. They should be either left on the family alter or carried on one’s person. The Tsubaki Grand shrine of America has a website that details how their specific omamori should be cared for. When visitors of this temple ask “ Q: Should I open the Omamori? What is inside? They respond by saying: A: Please do not open the omamori- inside Omamori of Tsubaki Grand Shrine is Shinji (meaning is like Ofuda [sacred symbol of Okami]). Such things are more than sacred symbols...they are actual "magic words" imbued with power of Okami. It is best to respect the sacred nature of the amulet and not open” (Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America).

http://www.tsubakishrine.org/ceremonies/

Another important part of owning omamori is understanding that their power is limited to a year. At the end of a year, the individual ought to return to the shrine to thank the deity for the omamori’s protection. “It is said that the functional effect only lasts about one year, and then you must bring it to a shrine or temple to burn it at the end of the year, and buy a replacement with fresh power” (Tsubata). Over the course of a year, amulets accumulate bad fortune and evil, thus they must be brought “back to the temple you got them from (or any temple that’s convenient) so they can be ritually purified and burned…” (Swagner). One should never discard his used omamori but must burn it as a sign of respect for the deity.