Your first goshuin.
One visit at a time.

A goshuin (御朱印) is a seal with calligraphy received as a record of a visit to a Japanese Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine. It often includes the place’s name and the date of your visit. Treat it as part of the worship experience, rather than a self-service souvenir stamp.

Reference: Japan National Tourism Organization ↗

A goshuin book, called a goshuincho (御朱印帳), is a dedicated book for keeping temple and shrine seals. Staff may write in it directly, or give you a separate paper seal to keep in it. Reserve it for goshuin; use another notebook for railway and tourist stamps.

Reference: JNTO’s guide to goshuin and goshuincho ↗

Pay your respects, find the goshuin reception desk, and request an available seal. Have your book open to a blank page if direct writing is offered, pay the stated offering, and follow any collection instructions. Some places give prepared sheets instead. Follow the local process if staff ask you to leave your book before worship.

Follow the six-step visit guide ↓

Say “Goshuin o onegai shimasu” (御朱印をお願いします): “May I receive a goshuin, please?” Show the design you want if several are displayed. You can point to the phrase below if speaking feels difficult.

What happens at the counter ↓

Ask at a temple or shrine office that offers goshuin books. In Tokyo, Meiji Jingu lists an original collection book on its official English page. Check the current selection, price and reception hours before visiting; not every religious site offers books.

Reference: Meiji Jingu: goshuin and collection books ↗

There is no single price. Meiji Jingu’s English page lists a sheet-type goshuin at ¥500, as one example. Books and special designs have their own amounts. Bring coins and small yen notes, and follow the price displayed at the desk on the day. A separate admission charge may also apply.

Reference: Meiji Jingu’s published offerings ↗

At places that offer a separate sheet, yes. Meiji Jingu explicitly offers a sheet-type goshuin for visitors without a book. Ask whether kakioki (書き置き), a prepared paper seal, is available. Keep it flat and dry until you can place it in a suitable book or holder.

Reference: Meiji Jingu’s sheet-type option ↗

Check whether the paper has an adhesive backing, then lay it on a blank page to check the fit before attaching it. For an adhesive-backed seal, follow the issuer’s peeling instructions. For plain paper, ask the issuer or your book’s maker which adhesive is suitable. Keep delicate, oversized or cut-paper designs in a suitable holder if you are unsure.

1. Check the paper. Look for a removable backing; do not try to peel ordinary washi.
2. Choose the page. Lay the book flat and check the position without attaching anything.
3. Follow the right method. Isahaya Shrine advises peeling its split backing one side at a time. Its washi and cut-paper designs are exceptions to that method.
4. Keep it safe. If the sheet does not fit, keep it flat in a holder instead of trimming the seal to fit.

Reference: Isahaya Shrine’s adhesive-backed seal instructions ↗

Keep railway and sightseeing stamps in a separate book from religious goshuin. JNTO advises against mixing other kinds of stamps into a goshuincho because goshuin are considered sacred.

Reference: JNTO’s guidance on keeping the book ↗

Do not assume that a place offers goshuin simply because it appears on a map. Look for its current official goshuin information, reception hours and any reservation instructions. On arrival, follow signs for 御朱印受付 or ask staff. Opening hours for the grounds may differ from those of the reception desk.

Reception signs and the right queue ↓