A Guide to Goshuin: the Perfect Souvenir for Temple and Shrine Lovers in Japan
Photos by @bonjour.dora
For those who love exploring Japan’s temples and shrines (being one of them myself), some of the most meaningful souvenirs you can take home are goshuin (御朱印). Embarking on a goshuin collection as you explore Japan’s sacred sites is a fun and rewarding activity, that will give you a beautiful and unique physical memento of your journey in Japan.
In this guide, I’ll introduce what goshuin are, where to get them, and why they are the perfect souvenir for Japanese shrine and temple lovers!
What is a Goshuin?
A goshuin is a stamp or seal you can obtain from most temples and shrines in Japan. It’s a token of your visit and features unique hand-brushed calligraphy, created by a monk or shrine priest, that indicates the name of the temple or shrine, the date of your visit and sometimes a short message or prayer. While goshuin are traditionally associated with Buddhist temples rather than Shinto shrines, you can generally find nowadays these stamps in Shinto shrines as well (and even castles). Goshuin are usually collected in a special book called a goshuincho (御朱印帳), which is devoted solely to gathering these magnificent stamps.
Note that you can also find in many temples and shrines, especially the more popular ones, paper goshuin which are prefabricated paper inserts that you can glue yourself into your book. Although I prefer handwritten goshuin directly in the book, the paper version has its own advantages, as you'll usually get more elaborate stamps or special seasonal stamps (be aware, however, that these can be printed and not handwritten). It's also a good alternative if you don't want to wait when the goshuin office is busy and it takes a while to collect your handwritten goshuin (I've never waited more than 10-15 minutes though).
Photo by @bonjour.dora
Why Collect Goshuin?
Beyond their beauty, goshuin have cultural and religious significance. Originally, they were given to pilgrims as proof of their dedication and prayer offerings at each temple or shrine. Today, they serve as a way for travelers and worshippers alike to connect with Japan’s spiritual history and traditions. Also, entrance to most temples and shrines is free, so buying a goshuin is also a good way of supporting them.
Personally, I started collecting goshuins out of curiosity and because I found them so pretty, and quickly grew fond of my goshuin collection. It’s a unique and personal memento of my exploration of Japan and it takes me back to the moment I collected them each time I open one of my goshuincho.
I have three full goshuincho and am looking forward to continuing my collection in the future.
How to Get a Goshuin: Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re ready to start your own goshuin collection, here’s a step-by-step guide:
1/ Get a Goshuincho Book
Buying your first goshuincho from a shrine or temple you particularly like or feel connected to can be a great way to start your goshuin collection. Many temples and shrines sell goshuincho with their own design, and even stationery shops and department stores in Japan sell them. There are countless designs, from traditional Japanese motifs to modern ones. I've even seen goshuincho covers beautifully carved in wood, for example. Depending on the design, the price of a goshuincho varies between ¥1,500 and ¥4,000.
On the left side, a goshuincho from Nikko featuring the well-known Shinkyo bridge. On the right side, a goshuincho from Musashi Mitake Shrine.
A goshuincho representing lake Suwa, with its summer fireworks and torii gates representing the four shrines of Suwa Taisha.
2/ Visit a Temple or Shrine
Kumano Hayatama Taisha (熊野速玉大社)
When you visit a temple or shrine, the goshuin location is usually near the office/reception area or where amulets are sold. Note that not all temples and shrines offer goshuin. If you have difficulty to locate the place to obtain a goshuin, you can look for the Japanese Kanji characters for goshuin 御朱印, or goshuinjo 御朱印所 to find goshuin locations.
3/ Respectfully Request a Goshuin
Approach the counter, and respectfully ask for a goshuin by saying, “Goshuin o onegaishimasu” (御朱印をお願いします). You might have to choose between different designs, generally indicated with a number. You can request just one or all the goshuin designs you like. Hand over your goshuincho book with the correct page opened. Japanese reads right-to-left and the goshuincho is no different, so you’ll fill them from “the back” of the book towards the front.
The monk or shrine official will carefully stamp it and add the calligraphy. In most cases, there is a small fee of around ¥300–¥500 per goshuin to cover the materials and time. Technically, it is more of a “thank you” rather than a direct payment for the service. Special goshuin (like seasonal ones) will cost more, about ¥1,000-¥1,500.
4/ Observe and Enjoy the Process
One of the most beautiful parts of getting a goshuin is watching the calligrapher add their artistic touch. In general, the person in charge will either write the seal in front of you or give you a numbered chip for you to come back and collect your book a bit later.
5/ Say Thank You
When you receive your goshuin, you can take it with two hands, express your gratitude by saying Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) and bow slightly.
Tips for Collecting Goshuin
1/ Have separate books if needed: It’s traditional to use separate books for goshuin from Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines if you plan to collect goshuin from both. However, this is a personal choice and may depend on how deeply you want to follow this tradition. It is not expected from foreigners and personally I have not made a distinction.
2/ Only put goshuin in your book: As the goshuincho is considered a sacred and personal artifact, you should not put any other writing or stamps inside it, including the free stamps or even your own notes.
2/ Check the timing: Some temples and shrines may have set hours for goshuin requests, typically around 9 am to 4 pm. Make sure you plan your visit accordingly to avoid disappointment (I’ve had the experience too of arriving too late at ).
3/ Be respectful at all times: Remember that temples and shrines are sacred spaces, so be mindful of noise levels and follow any posted guidelines. Taking photos of the goshuin creation process may also be discouraged, so it’s best to check with the staff beforehand.
4/ Explore unique designs: Each goshuin is unique, and some places create seasonal or event-specific designs, like cherry blossoms in spring or autumn leaves in fall. Special festivals and New Year’s may also feature limited-edition goshuin.
A beautiful paper goshuin for the Tanabata matsuri at Enoshima Shrine
A limited-edition autumn goshuin from Unpenji Temple in Shikoku
More Recommendations Based of My Personal Experience
My Favorite Temple for Goshuin in Tokyo: Horin-ji
Horin-ji (法輪寺) is a small Buddhist temple located in Nishi-Waseda, Tokyo. This little temple is decorated with seasonal flower displays on water called “hanachozu” and is also well-known for its beautiful goshuin. Decorations are changed regularly and there are several types of goshuin also changing each month. I don’t think you can get tired of visiting this super cute temple!
Going Further: Add Special Goshuin Collections to Your Japan Bucket List
Goshuin enthusiasts can take their collection to the next level by creating thematic collections. These collections often revolve around specific regions, historical events or seasonal motifs, making them a fun and rewarding challenge for goshuin enthusiasts. It's a real artistic and cultural treasure hunt! Just to give a few examples, I'll introduce two of these collections.
Receiving a Small Reward after Collecting the Four Goshuin of Suwa Taisha Shrine
Visiting Suwa Taisha Shrine in Nagano Prefecture, one of Japan’s oldest and most revered Shinto shrines, becomes even more rewarding when you collect the goshuin from all four of its sacred sites located around Lake Suwa: Honmiya, Maemiya, Harumiya, and Akimiya. Once you’ve collected the goshuin from all four shrines, you can present your completed goshuincho at one of the shrine offices to receive a special commemorative reward.
Collecting Goshuins of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage
An idea to add to your Japan bucket list is to undertake the 88 Shikoku Temples Pilgrimage, called Shikoku Henro, and (attempt to) complete the goshuin collection for the 88 sacred sites. This renowned pilgrimage stretches across the entire island of Shikoku. At each temple, you can collect a beautifully unique goshuin. During a week-long roadtrip to Shikoku, I visited around 15 temples and received a goshuin from each one. I hope to continue this collection on my next visit. It's probably the ultimate goshuin collector's challenge!
Other Ideas for Your Goshuin Collection
There are other pilgrimages in Japan where you can do a similar collection, such as the 34 Kannon Pilgrimage in Saitama, which features stamps from 34 temples dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist deity of mercy, or the compact Sasaguri 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Fukuoka. Another goal could be to complete the Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage (Shichifukujin Meguri) in Tokyo, where you can collect goshuin from temples honoring Japan's seven deities of good fortune.
To Conclude
Goshuin from Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine
Overall, I can’t recommend the experience of collecting goshuin enough! Whether you’re visiting Japan for the first time or you’re a seasoned traveler, collecting goshuin is a wonderful way to connect more deeply with the country’s temples and shrines. It’s not just a unique and artistic souvenir but also a meaningful way to carry a piece of Japan’s rich heritage home with you.
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