GOSHUIN NAVI — ENGLISH GUIDE
Japan's Shrine & Temple Stamps, Explained
A goshuin is a hand-inscribed seal you can receive at shrines and temples across Japan — one of the most beautiful souvenirs the country offers. Learn what they are, how to receive one politely, and where to go.
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What Is a Goshuin? Japan's Shrine & Temple Stamps Explained
What is a goshuin? The meaning of Japan's shrine and temple stamps: the vermilion seal, hand-brushed calligraphy, their history, and why they're not souvenirs.
BasicsHow to Get a Goshuin: Step-by-Step for First-Time Visitors
How to get a goshuin at a Japanese shrine or temple: pray first, find the stamp office, present your goshuincho, pay 300-500 yen, and receive it politely.
EtiquetteGoshuin Etiquette: Do's and Don'ts at Shrines and Temples
Goshuin etiquette: pray before requesting, bring exact change, wait quietly, and accept refusals gracefully. Do's and don'ts every collector should know.
BasicsHow Much Does a Goshuin Cost? Prices and Paying Right
How much does a goshuin cost? Most are 300-500 yen; limited artistic designs run 1,000 yen or more. What hatsuho-ryo means, why it's cash only, and how to pay.
BasicsThe Goshuincho: Choosing and Using Your Stamp Book
Guide to the goshuincho, Japan's shrine and temple stamp book: where to buy one, sizes and prices, mixing shrines and temples, and using kaki-oki paper seals.
BasicsCan Tourists Get a Goshuin? (Yes — Here's How to Do It Right)
Yes, foreign visitors can receive goshuin at Japanese shrines and temples. What's respectful, what's not, whether you need Japanese, and what book to bring.
EtiquetteUseful Japanese Phrases for Getting a Goshuin
The handful of Japanese phrases you need to request a goshuin — with pronunciation, meanings, and what to do when you can't read the menu of designs.
BasicsLimited, Seasonal & Paper-Cut Goshuin: Japan's Collectible Stamps
Monthly, seasonal, festival-only, kirie paper-cut and embroidered goshuin: why they sell out, what they cost, and how to catch them before they're gone.
City Guides
Best Shrines & Temples for Goshuin in Kyoto
Eight of Kyoto's best shrines and temples for collecting goshuin stamps, with the number of designs, starting prices, and tips for a smooth day of collecting.
Best Shrines & Temples for Goshuin in Tokyo
From Senso-ji to hidden neighborhood shrines, eight great places to collect goshuin in Tokyo — with design counts, starting prices, and limited-edition tips.
A Goshuin Walk Through Kamakura
A one-day walking route through Kamakura's Zen temples and shrines — eight goshuin stops from Kita-Kamakura to the Great Buddha, with prices and tips.
Best Shrines & Temples for Goshuin in Nara
Eight of Nara's best shrines and temples for collecting goshuin, from Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha to hidden gems in Yoshino, with counts and starting prices.
Goshuin at Ise Jingu: A Pilgrim's Guide
How to collect goshuin on the Ise Jingu pilgrimage circuit: the Geku-first tradition, the famously simple Naiku and Geku stamps, and the auxiliary shrines.
Best Shrines & Temples for Goshuin in Osaka
Eight of Osaka's best shrines and temples for goshuin, from Sumiyoshi Taisha and Imamiya Ebisu to a waterfall temple in Minoh, with counts and starting prices.
Goshuin in Nikko: Temples of a World Heritage Site
A goshuin guide to Nikko's UNESCO World Heritage shrines and temples, from Nikko Toshogu and Rinno-ji to the mountain temples above Lake Chuzenji.
A Goshuin Stroll Through Kanazawa
Where to collect goshuin in Kanazawa, from Oyama Shrine's stained-glass gate to the Ninja Temple, Ishiura Shrine, and Higashi Chaya's Utasu Shrine.
Goshuin in Fukuoka City
A goshuin guide to Fukuoka City's Kushida Shrine, Sumiyoshi Shrine, and hilltop Washio Atago Shrine, plus a note on nearby Dazaifu Tenmangu.
Goshuin in Sendai: City of Date Masamune
A goshuin guide to Sendai, built by the one-eyed daimyo Date Masamune, covering Osaki Hachimangu, Aoba Shrine, Sendai Toshogu, and Rinno-ji.
Famous Shrines & Temples
Goshuin Navi is a Japanese goshuin database covering shrines and temples nationwide. The full database is in Japanese — browse it here. Details can change; please confirm with each shrine or temple before visiting.