Kyoto is home to many historic temples and shrines, including UNESCO World Heritage sites like Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Kinkaku-ji, as well as popular tourist destinations such as Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Have you heard of “goshuin” and “goshuincho,” which can be collected at these sacred sites during your visit to Japan?
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of goshuin from Kyoto’s temples and shrines – from classic designs to creatively unique ones. Be sure to check the proper etiquette beforehand, and enjoy collecting goshuin as you explore these cultural landmarks.

A “goshuin” is a seal or stamp granted at temples and shrines as proof of your visit, serving as a record of your spiritual connection with the deity or Buddha.

A typical goshuin consists of calligraphy in black ink, which includes the name of the temple, the enshrined deity or principal Buddha, and the date of your visit, along with a red seal stamp. Each one is carefully written by a priest or monk. The design and style vary depending on the temple or shrine, and some may offer special versions during seasonal events or festivals. The unique handwriting and subtle differences in the stamp’s shade make each goshuin one of a kind, adding to their charm.

However, goshuin are not meant to be collected like stamps or souvenirs—they represent a sacred connection with the deities or Buddha. It’s important to show respect and reverence when receiving one.

There is certain etiquette to keep in mind when receiving a goshuin. Visitors to Japan should familiarize themselves with these guidelines in advance.

A goshuincho is a special honorable stamp book used to collect goshuin. It is typically palm-sized and often features accordion-style binding.

Many temples and shrines offer goshuincho for purchase when you receive a goshuin. Since some temples may not have them, it’s better to check in advance. They are also sold at stationery shops, general stores, and online, with a wide variety of designs available. Since one goshuincho can hold multiple goshuin, choose one that you’ll cherish for a long time. Keep in mind that receiving a goshuin in a regular notebook or memo pad is considered disrespectful, so be sure to use a proper goshuincho.

A goshuin is a certificate of your visit. Be sure to properly pay your respects before receiving one.

After completing your visit, you can receive a goshuin at the offering office or the Nokyojo (stamp office).

Open your goshuincho to the page where you want the stamp and hand it over. Once you receive the goshuin, pay the designated fee. In some cases, the priest or monk will write the stamp directly in front of you*, while in others, pre-prepared stamps on washi paper called “kakioki” are available. If you forget your goshuincho, you can receive a kakioki and later paste it into your goshuincho. Make sure not to forget to attach it afterward.

*Even if the stamp is done in person, some shrines and temples may issue a numbered ticket, and you’ll need to wait your turn. It’s recommended to allow extra time for your visit.

Kodaiji Temple, a landmark of the Higashiyama area in Kyoto, was founded in 1606 by Nene, the wife of the great warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to honor his memory. The temple reflects Nene’s deep love and respect for her husband throughout its architecture. Within the temple grounds, numerous Important Cultural Properties remain, and the expansive stroll garden with its stunning autumn leaves reflected on the water is a breathtaking sight. In the Hojo Hall, where the principal image of Buddha is enshrined, Nene’s memorial tablet is also placed.

Since the principal deity of Kodaiji Temple is Shakyamuni, the goshuin features “Buddha’s heart”, symbolizing his compassion. In the top right, there is the paulownia crest along with seals for Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Kita no Mandokoro. The center displays the Three Treasures seal – “Buddha, Dharma, Sangha,” and the bottom left bears the red stamp of “Kodaizenji.”

Additionally, goshuin are also available at “Kodaiji Tenmangu Shrine,” the guardian shrine within the temple grounds, and at “Kodaiji Rishodo,” the worship and lecture hall.

The goshuin available year-round at “Kodaiji Tenmangu Shrine” bears the character “夢” (Dream). This word, cherished in honor of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who fulfilled his dream of becoming a ruler, reflects a wish for visitors’ dreams to come true.

Kodaiji Rishodo, the Nirvana Hall of Shakyamuni, was established as a place to reflect on life and find peace of mind, free from the fear of death. The goshuin available here bears the inscription “Anjin”, meaning peace and tranquility.

Kodaiji Temple offers two original goshuincho in black and white. These simple, modern designs are well-received by visitors.

Kodaiji Temple also provides unique goshuin during special nighttime viewing periods, including glowing goshuin and those related to the temple’s robot Kannon statue, “Android Kannon.” Feel free to ask the head priest about these special offerings when you visit.

“Yasaka Shrine,” located in Kyoto’s iconic Gion district, is an ancient shrine that predates the Heian capital relocation in 794. Up until the Edo period, it was known as “Gion-sha,” and to this day, locals affectionately refer to it as “Gion-san.” The famous “Gion Matsuri,” one of Kyoto’s three major festivals, is Yasaka Shrine’s annual celebration.

The shrine is renowned for blessings in warding off evil, family safety, and matchmaking. Additionally, with multiple subsidiary shrines and smaller shrines within its grounds, visitors can receive a wide range of spiritual benefits from the various deities enshrined there.

Yasaka Shrine’s goshuin features calligraphy for “Hohai” (worship), “Gion-sha”, and the date of visit, along with a red seal and the shrine’s crest, the “Karahana Mokko-mon” (Chinese flower and cucumber crest). Despite its simplicity, the design exudes elegance and dignity. Various goshuin can be received at the subsidiary and smaller shrines within the precinct.

Another delightful experience is the “Kyoto Five Shrines Pilgrimage”, which involves visiting Yasaka Shrine, Matsuo Taisha, Jonangu, and Kamigamo Shrine, positioned in the four cardinal directions around Heian Shrine. At Yasaka Shrine, visitors can obtain a special paper called “Shijin Shikishi” to collect the seals from each shrine. Completing the pilgrimage by collecting all five goshuin earns visitors an original commemorative gift—definitely worth the challenge!

The classic and popular goshuincho at Yasaka Shrine feature the shrine’s crest prominently in the center, available in both red and white.

Heian Jingu Shrine, established in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the relocation of Japan’s capital to Heian-kyo (now Kyoto), enshrines Emperor Kanmu, the key figure behind the relocation. The shrine is a popular spiritual spot for fostering romantic connections, attracting many visitors from Japan and abroad.

One of Heian Jingu Shrine’s most iconic features is the grand torii gate, standing at approximately 24.4 meters tall. The shrine grounds also house numerous important cultural properties, including the Daigokuden (Great Hall of State) and the Otenmon Gate, offering visitors a glimpse into Japan’s rich architectural heritage.

The goshuin at Heian Jingu Shrine, whether handwritten or pre-prepared, features a calligraphy inscription with the words “Hohai”, “Heian Jingu”, and the date of your visit, accompanied by a red stamp. Its simplicity highlights the beauty of elegant calligraphy.

Until 2030, visitors can receive a special limited-edition goshuin commemorating the 130th anniversary of the shrine’s founding.

Additionally, limited-edition goshuin are available during events like the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages), one of Kyoto’s three major festivals. Be sure to check for these exclusive seals if your visit coincides with such events.

Heian Jingu Shrine is part of the Kyoto Five Shrine Pilgrimage, along with Yasaka Shrine. During this pilgrimage, visitors can receive a special goshuin and a dedicated “Shijin Shikishi” (Four Guardian Gods Stamp Paper). The shrine also offers original goshuincho featuring the four guardian deities—Seiryu (Azure Dragon), Genbu (Black Tortoise), Byakko (White Tiger), and Suzaku (Vermilion Bird)—which are believed to protect the four cardinal directions.

Yanagidani Kannon is an ancient temple renowned for its blessings of healing eye ailments. It is also famous as the birthplace of “Hanachozu” (floating seasonal flowers in the temple’s water basins).
The temple is one of Kyoto’s top hydrangea spots, with around 5,000 hydrangea plants blooming across the grounds from early June to early July. Another highlight is the “Joshoin” hall, which opens to the public for a limited time in autumn. The breathtaking beauty of this place is beyond words.

As a temple surrounded by flowers, the goshuin is equally vibrant! In addition to the standard goshuin that features the principal deity, there are also seasonal and special event-exclusive designs.
One of the most popular is the “Pressed Flower Goshuin,” introduced in 2016 with the goal of making the temple a more open and spiritually rich place to experience the four seasons. This stunning goshuin features real dried flowers carefully arranged around the calligraphy and red seal, creating a vivid and colorful keepsake.

On the 17th of every month, the temple hosts a hands-on experience where visitors can create their own pressed flower goshuin. All tools and materials are provided, so you can join empty-handed. The types of pressed flowers available are a surprise until the day of the event.
This workshop is extremely popular and tends to fill up quickly each month. If you’re interested, it’s best to make a reservation in advance.

*Reservations are required in advance. Applications can be made from the 18th of the previous month until noon on the 14th of the event month.

The seasonal “Embroidered Goshuincho” is also highly popular. Made from fabric with a textured pattern called “Sayagata” and decorated with colorful embroidery, these goshuincho are cherished by visitors.

Ninnaji Temple is one of Kyoto’s iconic cherry blossom viewing spots. Among its highlights is the “Omuro Sakura,” a grove of around 200 cherry trees famous for their late blooming. While blossoms elsewhere begin to fall, the Omuro Sakura reaches full bloom, drawing many visitors.

The temple grounds are home to striking architecture, including a towering five-story pagoda that stands approximately 36.18 meters tall. The majestic “Nio-mon,” one of Kyoto’s three great temple gates, adds to the picturesque, quintessentially Japanese scenery.

When visiting Ninnaji Temple, don’t miss the “Kirie Goshuin” (Paper-Cut Goshuin)!

“Kirie” is a traditional technique that involves cutting a single sheet of paper to create intricate designs. The goshuin features delicate depictions of motifs such as cherry blossoms, maple leaves, and architectural elements. The designs change annually and seasonally, making them highly anticipated collectibles.
It’s a tradition to hold the goshuin up against the scenery or the sky within the temple grounds and capture its beauty in photographs.

The popular goshuincho feature designs such as “Omuro Sakura Embroidery Pink,” with Omuro Sakura on the front and the Five-Story Pagoda on the back, and “Nioh Gate Embroidery Navy,” with the Nioh Gate on the front and the Five-Story Pagoda on the back.

Inabado Byodoji, founded in 1003, is a historic temple known for its principal deity, the Yakushi Nyorai, a Buddha believed to protect people from illness and injury. The temple draws a steady stream of visitors seeking blessings for health and well-being.

One of the temple’s most popular charms is a cute bird-shaped amulet, symbolizing the wish for sickness to “fly away,” representing prayers for good health. Among these, the “Inko” (parrot) charms, which play on the Japanese word “in-ko” (meaning “parrot”) and “in-kou” (meaning “happiness enters”), are particularly beloved. The temple offers more than 15 varieties of these parrot charms.

Inabado Byodoji actively supports animal welfare, and the temple’s reverence for animals extends beyond birds to include cats and dogs. Popular charms include the “Mubyo Mamori,” a cat-shaped amulet playing on the word “mubyo” (meaning “no illness”), and the “Inu Mamori,” a dog-shaped amulet symbolizing the wish for illness to “inu” (go away).

Inabado Byodoji’s Special Kirie Goshuin features Bato Kannon on vibrantly colored, animal-shaped paper. Known for blessings of protection and animal welfare, the design changes every three months, making it a unique and collectible keepsake.

Inabado Byodoji offers goshuin for Kyoto’s 13 Buddha Pilgrimage, 12 Yakushi Pilgrimage, and Rakuyo 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, along with limited goshuin on Kinoene (lucky days for wealth).

Their goshuincho, featuring cats, dogs, parrots, and zodiac motifs, is beloved for its cute and vibrant designs. Don’t miss the annual zodiac-themed editions!

Collecting goshuin is a wonderful way to relive memories of beautiful shrines and impressive temples. As long as you respect the proper etiquette, most places will warmly accommodate you. Enjoy gathering goshuin as part of your visit!