Receiving and Collecting Goshuin: Some Post-Reopening Observations


## What Are Goshuin?

Hi, welcome! _Goshuin_ are temple and shrine stamps that are written in special books called _goshuincho_. Many people collect them, as they are proof that you visited a temple/shrine, and they also make a unique and beautiful souvenir of a trip. If you want to know more about what a goshuin is or how to start collecting them, check out my previous guide on [receiving and collecting goshuin](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/6wyt0z/guide_temple_and_shrine_stamps_aka_what_are/). In terms of the basics, that’s still relevant and up-to-date information. I also followed that guide up with some information about [finding unique and interesting goshuin](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/eu1v35/looking_for_interesting_and_unique_goshuin_and/). Again, the information in that guide is relevant even a few years later (although special goshuin constantly change, so you probably won’t see the ones pictured in my post).

For this post, I wanted to make some short, post-reopening comments on collecting goshuin, primarily concerning minor changes I’ve noticed. I’ve returned to Japan twice since the country reopened in October 2022, and I received goshuin on each trip (about 40 or so of them between the two trips).

## Goshuin and Goshuincho Cost

Before the pandemic, most goshuin cost 300 yen. There were some that were a bit cheaper, and some that were a bit more expensive (especially from famous temples/shrines or if they were limited-edition versions). These days, I’ve noticed the cost for many more of them has gone up to 500 yen. You’ll still see a decent number of places charging 300 yen, but you’ll see a lot more charging 500 yen than before. And for special goshuin (limited edition, holidays, unique paper, etc.), they can be as much as 1000 yen each.

Similarly, goshuincho seem to have suffered some cost increases. I used to see books for as little as 800 yen, and the top end tended to be 2000 yen (special editions, more unique art on them, wooden, etc.). But these days, it’s not uncommon for the base price to be 1500 yen and the top end to be as much as 3000 yen (or more).

## Written into a Book vs. Separate Papers for Goshuin

As you probably know, goshuin can come in two forms: written directly into your book by temple/shrine staff, or as a separate piece of paper that you buy and need to paste into your goshuincho later. This separate goshuin page is called kakioki (書き置き), and you might hear staff tell you that’s the only version they have and ask if it’s all right.

Before the pandemic, I didn’t find myself receiving a lot of goshuin as separate papers. It happened more often for limited edition ones, but for “regular” goshuin, they would usually write it into my book. I’d say that maybe 1 in 20 of my pre-pandemic goshuin were separate sheets of paper. In the past six months, it seems more like 50% of them are pre-written sheets of paper meant to be pasted in later.

So if you find yourself encountering this more often, it’s not unusual. Luckily, pretty much any medium-sized convenience store stocks glue sticks, so it’s cheap and easy enough to paste the goshuin in as you go!

## Shrine and Temple Hours

This is a very minor thing, and it might go away as the country opens up more and more, but I did notice that some hours for temples/shrines seemed reduced. It used to be that pretty much any temple/shrine that wasn’t super, _super_ tiny would have someone staffing the sales window between 8am and 4pm.

On my trips in the last six months, I noticed a lot more temples/shrines closed on certain days, closed over lunchtime, or seemingly closed at random. This likely wouldn’t be the case for any of the really major tourist destinations, but if you’re walking through a neighborhood with a medium-sized or smaller shrine/temple, you might find yourself unable to receive a goshuin from it.

## Himekat, show us your goshuincho!

Well, since you asked. (: On my last trip, my husband and I used [these two wooden ones](https://imgur.com/VkFkerp) from Loft (you can get them on the stationery floor), as well as [these two beauties](https://imgur.com/jsQ5VX5) from [Kumano Nachi Taisha](https://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo/world-heritage/kumano-nachi-taisha/), which we visited on [our trip through Wakayama](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/126tnzh/trip_report_wakayama_city_shingu_nachi_falls/).

**Edit:** I also wanted to add a thank you to all the people who’ve sent me PMs about my guides or have thanked me for them over the years. I tend to get at least one a month from someone who started or is about to start collecting goshuin, and I’m glad my guides are helpful! It’s really heartwarming to see how happy it makes travelers. (:

17 comments
  1. To piggyback on your “interesting goshuin”, I want to share this [super unique Hello Kitty](https://imgur.com/a/BqtPN8S) goshuin and goshuin-cho I got from Togo Shrine in Harajuku back in early April.

    It was a bit of a “secret”. There were multiple goshuin to choose from at the shrine, but they did not advertise this one. The only way to get it was to buy the Hello Kitty goshuin-cho, and pay extra for the one that had that particular goshuin already written inside (it’s not a loose page glued in, it was just done in the book in advance). You could also buy the blank books, but obviously I wanted one with the Hello Kitty goshuin already inside. The price difference between the two was the same as the price of a regular goshuin.

    Anyway, I got some other cool goshuin on my trip but this one is for sure my favorite! Definitely the most unique and it feels extra special because it was kind of a “secret”.

  2. Thank you for posting! I am looking forward to receiving goshuin and have your other two guides bookmarked so it’s great to know what things are like currently!

  3. Nice write-up! My third Japan trip this year was the first time I got a Goshuincho. I bought [this](https://i.imgur.com/8GLAIu8.jpg) pretty cool design at Shikaumi shrine near Fukuoka for 2000 Yen.

    Was always a bit disappointed when Goshuin were only offered on separate pieces of paper, as it doesn’t feel as special as getting them written into your book. In fact, I’m 99% sure the one I got from Neko Jinja at Sengan-en is just printed. After that one, I decided not to get any more pre-written ones.

  4. Thanks for the info! I went to Japan and got some kakioki, do you hvae any advice for pasting it into the goshuincho? Should I buy spray adhesive?

  5. I’ve seen some videos and posts mentioning the stations’ stamps. Are those collected in a book that’s different from the goshuincho? I’m not quite sure but I think people still referred to them as goshuin and goshuincho?

  6. https://omairi.club/

    https://jinja-gosyuin.com/

    Two websites to look up designs sold at each temple/shrine, very helpful to plot your route so you buy the first goshuincho at an optimal location. They are also helpful to check designs, calligraphy style etc. to see if it is something you would enjoy.

    I personally only go for goshuin that is handwritten into the book as it feels more special, and avoid the printed ones where they do minimal or no calligraphy.

  7. Thank you for this! I wasn’t aware of goshuin before my first trip in February 2020, but I’m planning to collect them in October when I’m back. I’m bookmarking your other guides and reading them now.

    I’m thinking of a method for keeping track of where I got each one, since we’re not supposed to write in the book. I’m thinking of just keeping an index card tucked into my goshuincho and noting each one down in order–do you know of a better way?

  8. Goshuin seem to be getting more expensive as well. A lot of shrines I’ve been going to the past few months have been 500 yen.

  9. This was by far one of the most fulfilling experiences from our trip to Japan. It made us appreciate the temples more, talk to temple staff more, and visit more temples to find more goshuin. It gave us new ways to learn about the temples/shrines because we’d want to know what/whom the goshuin were dedicated to. The goshuin book is also probably the memento we will cherish the most because it’s like a scrapbook of all the temples/shrines we saw in the order that we saw them. It became such a joy passing by a temple/shrine and poking in to see if they had goshuin. One of my favorites was the sort of out-of-the-way shrine in Osaka where the man was absolutely delighted two foreigners had come in to ask for goshuin. What an amazing experience it was.

  10. This is some quality content. Thanks a lot for the details, collecting goshuins is so much fun ! The matsuri (I guess) book with fire celebration is really pretty.

    From my last trip in March I would have said about 6 seals out of 10 I received were premade papers (so your 50% figure seems about right). I also second the general price increase, but it is still a delight to be able to receive them !

  11. I found that Tokyo was more like 70 : 30 paper vs written and Kyoto was the opposite.

  12. Thank you for this wonderful guide and your other posts on this as well. I am planning a trip for 2024 with my grandkids, and this is exactly the type of thing that would excite and motivate them to learn more about the culture they are visiting.

  13. Amazing post! Could you maybe do a list of shrines/temples or a pilgrimage list for those who want to collect goshuin?

  14. I really wanted to collect Goshuin on my trip, but we visited in early mornings or at shrines/temples that weren’t staffed. I’m not too upset, the empty quiet grounds are just amazing, but I think if I could visit again I would make a point to collect some. The images are always so beautiful!

  15. If anyone sees this – another great way to scout goshuin is to use instagram and look up the 御朱 tag. You can use this to find ones around you that look interesting AND are nearby.

    Also – having gone to a fair number of smaller temples/shrines, if there is noone at the window and you’re within the working hours, there’s usually a call-box where you can press the button to let them know you’re there.

    Most temples/shrines should have websites and hours listed as well.

  16. I haven’t heard or seen about this one. I just came back but going to book another trip because this seems like fun.

  17. I’ve really appreciated the Goshuin threads you’ve made. It got me to start collecting them (and other stamps in general too). Just last weekend I was able to add two more from local shrines while on a bike ride.

    I’ll add, castles have their own stamps too, Gojoin (御城印), which are visually similar to Goshuin. Don’t make the same mistake as I did and put one in your Goshuin-cho! I definitely got chewed out a bit for accidentally doing that once.

Leave a Reply
You May Also Like