Discover the Deep Allure of Goshuin: Meaningful Mementos of Worship and Travel

Before entering the temple through the sanmon (main gate), bow once towards the inside as a sign of respect.

Temizu (also pronounced chōzu) refers to the water used to cleanse your hands and mouth before worshiping a Buddha or deity.
The place for performing this ritual is called the temizuya. At the temizuya, you wash your hands and rinse your mouth to purify yourself.
Hold the ladle with your right hand and wash your left hand. Then, switch the ladle to your left hand and wash your right hand.
Next, scoop some water with the ladle, pour it into your hand, and use that water to rinse your mouth.
When returning the ladle, remember to stand it upright and rinse the handle to keep it clean. All of this should be done with a single scoop of water. Due to recent health precautions, some temples and shrines may not provide ladles.

Offer incense at the jokoro (a large incense burner) and let the smoke wash over you to purify your body and spirit.

Offer a coin into the saisenbako (offering box) and pray with your hands pressed together at chest level.
After your prayer, bow once more before heading to the goshuin office.

When you arrive at the juyosho (Office for Sacred Items), open your goshuincho to the page where you would like the inscription and politely say, "Please write it here."
After handing over your goshuincho, offer a fee of 300 to 500 yen as a donation (hatsuhoryo or shinoryo).
It is a good idea to have exact change prepared to avoid the need for receiving change.
Since goshuin are handwritten, it may take some time to complete.
Be mindful not to request one too close to the temple or shrine's closing time.
If possible, ask for your goshuin early and use the waiting time to explore the grounds and enjoy the atmosphere.

The design of goshuin varies from shrine to temple, and in recent years, more decorative and creatively crafted goshuin have become available.
For example, the goshuin from Souzenji Temple in Kiryu, Gunma, features a large daruma illustration, making it look like a work of art.

Kiryu City in Gunma is home to several shrines and temples offering beautifully designed goshuin, making it a great destination for enthusiasts.
Additionally, new types of goshuin have emerged, including those made with paper cutouts and even augmented reality (AR) goshuin.

Each goshuin includes the date it was obtained, allowing you to relive the memories, emotions, and experiences of that particular day when you look back through your goshuincho.
You might recall not only the scenery of the shrine or temple grounds and the people you visited with, but also the emotions you felt when you offered your prayers.

Once you start collecting goshuin, you will likely find yourself visiting more shrines and temples. Naturally, these places offer more than just goshuin. You can enjoy the seasonal beauty of nature, encounter historical buildings, and experience a profound spiritual atmosphere.
Furthermore, visiting shrines and temples gives you the opportunity to learn about the local history, Japanese culture, and spirituality.
Understanding the history and cultural significance of each site will undoubtedly enrich your travels in Japan.
Let goshuin be your gateway to exploring and enjoying Japan on a deeper level.

Located in Sapporo’s Chuo Ward, Hokkaido Shrine is one of the region’s most iconic shrines.
Founded in 1869 by Emperor Meiji, the shrine enshrines the "Three Deities of Pioneering."
The shrine is dedicated to guardians of progress and development, making it ideal for those embarking on new ventures.
Among the three shrines within its grounds, the Kaitaku Shrine (Developing Three Deities) is particularly recommended.
Visiting it is believed to bring success in work and competitions, attracting many entrepreneurs.
Since Kaitaku Shrine also offers goshuin, be sure to collect it along with the one from Hokkaido Shrine.

Dewa Sanzan is a sacred site in the Tohoku region, representing mountain worship and the practice of shugendo (ascetic training). It refers to three mountains: Mt. Haguro, where prayers are offered for happiness in this life; Mt. Gassan, where peace after death is sought; and Mt. Yudono, associated with spiritual rebirth. With over 1,430 years of history, Dewa Sanzan has nurtured diverse beliefs and remains one of Japan's most revered spiritual sites.
Each mountain is home to a shrine—Gassan Shrine, Dewasanzan Shrine, and Yudono Shrine—dedicated to the deities of these sacred peaks.
Collectively, these shrines are known as Dewa Sanzan Shrine, with Dewasanzan Shrine also referred to as the Sanjin Gosaiden, where the three mountain deities are enshrined together.
While visiting all three shrines can be a challenge, the scenery, where natural beauty harmonizes with cultural heritage, is breathtaking, and the experience offers a deep sense of shugendo spirituality.
Each shrine offers its own goshuin, allowing you to collect up to four in total.
If time or energy is limited, a visit to the Sanjin Gosaiden alone is highly recommended.

If you’re in the Kanto region, a visit to Toyokawa Inari Betsuin, located in Akasaka, Minato Ward, Tokyo, is highly recommended.
While the main Toyokawa Inari in Aichi is revered nationwide for bringing prosperity in business and good fortune, the Tokyo branch is its only directly managed subsidiary temple.
The main hall enshrines Dakiniten, depicted riding a white fox and holding rice ears. Despite being located near the busy streets of Akasaka, the temple grounds offer a serene, otherworldly atmosphere, making it feel far removed from the city's hustle and bustle.
Within the peaceful grounds, you’ll find the strikingly photogenic Sangu Hall lined with fox statues and the senbon nobori (thousand flags).
Scattered throughout the grounds are statues of the Seven Lucky Gods, including Daikokuten, believed to bring wealth.
Along with receiving goshuin, be sure to visit the Yuzu Inari Shrine within the grounds, rumored to bless visitors with financial success, where you can receive yuzukin (lucky coins).

Located in western Shizuoka Prefecture, Oguni Shrine is one of the region’s most historic shrines, with a history spanning about 1,500 years. It enshrines Onamuchi-no-Mikoto, a deity known for creating a prosperous nation.
The expansive grounds cover 35 hectares, offering seasonal beauty with cherry blossoms in spring, irises in early summer, and vibrant autumn leaves.
Highlights include the 800-year-old Kamiyo Cedar, the pond surrounding the Munakata Shrine, and the Tachiagari Stone, said to have been used by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Visitors can also receive auspicious charms like "Hōzuchi" and "Ki-kozu," modeled after the "Uchide no Kozuchi" mallet held by the deity, symbolizing good fortune, happiness, and relationships, along with their goshuin.

In Ishikawa, Oyama-jinja Shrine is a must-visit.
It enshrines Maeda Toshiie, the powerful feudal lord who built the prosperity of the Kaga Domain, along with his wife Omatsu. Known for blessings in education, victory, and family harmony, the shrine attracts many visitors.
Its gate is a unique blend of Japanese, Chinese, and Western architectural styles, featuring stained glass at the top. Along with Kenrokuen Garden, the gate is a symbol of Kanazawa City.

One of the must-visit temples in the Kansai region is Byodoin, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The temple’s iconic Phoenix Hall, depicted on the 10-yen coin, is breathtaking. Its reflection on the temple pond creates the illusion of a palace floating on the waters of paradise.
Be sure to join the guided tour of the temple’s interior, where the seated statue of Amida Nyorai Buddha sits majestically at the center.
A highlight of the tour is the Unchu Kuyo Bosatsu, small, charming statues that appear ready to leap from the walls.
Hearing the story that the Amida Buddha will guide souls to paradise in the form of the person they most long to see at the moment of their death brought tears to my eyes.
The goshuin you can receive here is just as impressive as the beauty of the Phoenix Hall itself.

Itsukushima Shrine, located on the sacred island of Itsukushima, is a must-see in the Chugoku region.
It enshrines the three goddesses Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto, Tagorihime-no-Mikoto, and Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto, known for granting a wide range of blessings.
Built over the sea, the shrine appears to float on water during high tide, creating a mesmerizing sight.
Most of the shrine’s structures are designated as national treasures or important cultural properties, and the site was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
The goshuin here includes the inscription "World Heritage," making it a meaningful souvenir of your visit.

Affectionately called "Konpira-san," Kotohiragu Shrine in Shikoku attracts around 4 million visitors annually.
It enshrines the sea deity Oomononushinokami and is reputed to bring good fortune and wealth.
Situated on Mt. Zozu, the shrine is famous for its long stone staircase—785 steps to the main shrine and 1,368 steps to the inner shrine.
Although the climb is challenging, the sense of accomplishment and panoramic views at the top are worth the effort.
Along the way, visitors can enjoy cultural treasures and cafes.
Be sure to get the famous "Yellow Charm of Happiness" along with your goshuin.

For those exploring Kyushu, Takachiho is a recommended destination, known as the setting of ancient Japanese myths.
Takachiho Shrine, founded about 1,900 years ago, is particularly famous.
The shrine grounds feature several attractions, including the "Couple Cedars," two intertwined cedar trees, and the "Chinseki" stone, used during the shrine’s founding. There’s also the 800-year-old "Chichibu Cedar," planted by Hatakeyama Shigetada on behalf of Minamoto no Yoritomo.
Nearby shrines such as Amanoiwato Shrine and Akimoto Shrine also offer goshuin, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the mystical atmosphere of these legendary sites.