First Timer's Guide to Collecting Goshuin

Japan has always been the best country when it comes to souvenirs. Each city prides itself on its own product which is perfectly suited for the different tastes of tourists. As a travel blogger whose interest is mostly culture and history, I'm naturally inclined to buy souvenirs that remind me of the rich history and culture of the places that I have visited. Oftentimes, I am left with no other option but to buy refrigerator magnets, key chains, and pins. However, during my last visit to Japan, I discovered and got a unique souvenir that I think you'd also love to take home (and bring back to Japan next time you visit). This souvenir would surely remind you of Japan's cultural, religious, and historic side... this souvenir is none other than a goshuin collection.

First Timer's Guide to Collecting Goshuin

A goshuin is described as a temple or shrine stamp/seal that is written by a temple priest called a kannushi in a special notebook called goshuincho which translates to "Honorable Red Stamp Book". (The goshuincho is already a beautiful souvenir in itself). The goshuincho can be bought in most temples or shrines. A common goshuincho costs around 1,000 - 1300 yen while a "special" one (goshuincho that have designs showing the unique features of the shrine/temple) costs around 1,500 - 2,000 yen. A goshuincho has around 20-40 pages. Aside from that, keep in mind that in order for one to receive a goshuin, he/she must give a "donation". The donation varies depending on the popularity of the shrine or temple. It is usually 300 yen but may reach up to 500 yen.

You can buy a goshuincho inside temples or temple souvenir shops

Here's my goshuincho from Daigoji

There are many legends on how the practice of collecting goshuin started. However, I won't dwell too much on these legends but one thing is certain... that collecting goshuin was once done only by pilgrims who would want to achieve Nirvana. Today, it has been quite famous for many young people in Japan and some foreign tourists who know about it. Although, it has now become close to being a fad, collecting goshuin is still considered a religious practice and certain manners should still be observed by those who are planning to collect it. Here are the basics of these:

You can get your goshuin in designated areas in the temple vicinity

1. Use only the goshuincho for your goshuin collection. The kannushi will never write a goshuin in an ordinary notebook regardless of any reason. 

2. Don't draw or add anything on a page with a goshuin. Keep in mind that the goshuincho and goshuin are considered sacred by the Japanese. 

3. Never make your own or print out and paste a goshuin to your goshuincho because you have missed the chance to have one during your visit to the temple or shrine. Only a kannushi has the authority to write a goshuin. 

4. Not all temples and shrines practice goshuin. Temples that belong to the Jodo Shinshu (School of Pure Land) like Higashi Honganji and Nishi Honganji does not practice goshuin. *

Here's what you'd see in a goshuin

It was my Japanese godfather who introduced me to collecting goshuin during our visit to Daigoji (Temple) in Kyoto City during our 2018 Japan. It was also in that temple that I got my first goshuincho and goshuin. It was very timely as Daigoji was the very first temple that we've visited during our 22-day adventure in Japan. 

I managed to get a number of goshuin from different temples and shrines around Japan. Just to share, here are my collected goshuin as of 2018:

Daigoji - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Daikodo - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 

Toji - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 

Kinkakuji - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Ryoanji - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 

Kawai Shrine - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 

Shimogamo Shrine - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Ginkakuji - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine - Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture

Kinpouzan Shoubouji - Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture

Shipporyuji - Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture

Here's my 2019 goshuin collection:

Tenryuji - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Nan'endo (Kohfukuji) - Nara City, Nara Prefecture

Todaiji - Nara City, Nara Prefecture

Kodaiji - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Here's my 2021 goshuin collection:

Kamikawa Shrine - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Here's my 2022 goshuin collection:

Hokkaido Shrine - Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Overall, I do hope this article piqued your interest in collecting goshuin. If it did, go forth and start collecting!