A goshuin (御朱印) is a calligraphic stamp issued by a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple, hand-written on a folding accordion-style book called a goshuin-cho (御朱印帳). Originally a receipt issued to pilgrims who had copied sutras at a temple, goshuin have become one of the most rewarding souvenirs of a Japan trip — each one is hand-brushed individually, beautifully personal, and impossible to mass-produce. Hiroshima Prefecture is an excellent place to start (or continue) collecting: Itsukushima Shrine issues one of Japan’s most prized goshuin, and the prefecture offers a manageable circuit of major and minor shrines and temples on a single trip.
Goshuin Basics for First-Timers
What You Need
- Goshuin-cho (御朱印帳) — the accordion-fold book that holds the stamps. Buy one at the first shrine or temple you visit. Itsukushima Shrine and Daisho-in both sell beautiful designs for ¥1,500–¥2,500.
- Cash — Goshuin are paid in cash, typically ¥300–¥500 each. Some special editions cost ¥500–¥1,000.
How to Receive a Goshuin
- Pay respects at the shrine or temple first (bow, ring the bell, offer a coin, clap if Shinto)
- Find the goshuin counter (御朱印所 / 朱印所) — usually marked clearly; ask if unsure
- Hand over your goshuin-cho open to the next clean page
- Pay the fee (have exact change when possible)
- Wait while the calligrapher hand-brushes the stamp
- Receive your book back with a small bow and a quiet “ありがとうございます”
Etiquette
- One book for both shrines and temples is now widely accepted, though purists keep separate books. If you’re starting fresh, one book is fine.
- Never photograph the calligrapher at work without asking — many find it disrespectful
- Be patient — busy times (festival days, Sundays) may have queues of 15–30 minutes
- Quiet behaviour at the counter — no loud talking, no eating
Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社)
The most famous and most-photographed goshuin in Hiroshima Prefecture.
- Location: Miyajima island, Hiroshima Bay
- Goshuin counter: Inside the main shrine complex, on the exit route
- Cost: ¥500
- Special editions: Limited-edition seasonal goshuin for special festival days (Kangensai, New Year’s)
- Goshuin-cho: Beautiful original designs from ¥2,000, featuring the floating torii motif
Visit Tips
- Arrive early (before 09:00) to avoid the longest queues at the goshuin counter
- Combine with the Miyajima Senjokaku and Pagoda complex above the shrine — they have their own goshuin
- The shrine entry fee (¥300) is separate from the goshuin fee
Daisho-in Temple (大聖院) — Miyajima
The 806 AD Buddhist temple at the foot of Mount Misen. One of Hiroshima’s most atmospheric goshuin experiences — issued in a small office inside the temple complex.
- Location: Miyajima, base of Mount Misen
- Cost: ¥300
- Multiple options: Daisho-in offers several different goshuin depending on which sub-shrine of the temple you wish to honour — including the Henjokutsu cave hall, the Maniden, and others. Ask for the menu.
- Atmosphere: Quieter than Itsukushima Shrine; you can often watch the calligraphy work being done
This is one of the most rewarding goshuin stops on Miyajima — many visitors who collect both find the Daisho-in calligraphy especially beautiful.
Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine (広島護国神社)
Located within Hiroshima Castle grounds, Gokoku Shrine (lit. “Country-protecting Shrine”) is the city’s main Shinto shrine. It is one of Hiroshima’s most popular hatsumode (New Year’s first prayer) destinations, attracting over 600,000 visitors during the New Year period.
- Location: Within Hiroshima Castle grounds, Naka-ku
- Cost: ¥500
- Goshuin office hours: 09:00–16:30
- Special: Particularly popular for goshuin-cho dedicated to victory and protection
- Combine with: Hiroshima Castle, 5 min walk
Mitaki-dera Temple (三瀧寺)
A serene forest temple in the hills north of Hiroshima city, with three waterfalls running through the grounds. The temple’s calligraphy office is in a quiet wooden building beside the main hall.
- Location: Mitaki, Nishi-ku Hiroshima (25 min by tram + 10 min walk)
- Cost: ¥300
- Why visit: One of the city’s most peaceful goshuin experiences; the Tahoto pagoda (a National Important Cultural Property relocated here in 1951) is a memorable backdrop
Kosanji Temple (耕三寺) — Ikuchijima
The eccentric mid-20th-century temple complex on the Shimanami Kaido cycling route. The temple offers goshuin from multiple buildings within the complex.
- Location: Setoda, Ikuchijima island
- Cost: ¥300 per goshuin (multiple available)
- Worth it for: Cyclists already on the Shimanami Kaido; the goshuin-cho here features the temple’s unusual architecture
Oyamazumi Shrine (大山祇神社) — Omishima
One of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, dedicated to the god of mountains, sea, and war. The shrine has one of the country’s most extensive collections of medieval samurai armour. Located on Omishima island on the Shimanami Kaido route.
- Location: Omishima island (mid-Shimanami Kaido)
- Cost: ¥500
- Special: Limited edition goshuin available featuring the shrine’s connection to maritime history
- Worth a detour: Yes — combine with the armour museum
Other Notable Goshuin Stops in Hiroshima
| Site | Location | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senkoji Temple | Onomichi hillside | ¥300 | Combine with the temple walk |
| Jodoji Temple | Onomichi | ¥300 | National Treasure main hall |
| Tennei-ji Temple | Onomichi | ¥300 | Three-tier pagoda backdrop |
| Tagata Shrine (Saijo) | Saijo | ¥300 | Combine with sake brewery tour |
| Fukuzenji Temple | Tomonoura | ¥300 | Edo-period reception hall |
| Iyaminamiji Shrine | Tomonoura | ¥300 | Small harbour shrine |
| Daihonzan Bukko-ji | Hiroshima city | ¥300 | Active Shin Buddhist temple |
| Hofuku-ji Temple | Fukuyama | ¥300 | Zen garden temple |
Sample Goshuin Circuit Itineraries
One-Day Hiroshima Goshuin Circuit
- 08:30 Hiroshima Castle area — Gokoku Shrine goshuin
- 10:00 Tram to Miyajima-guchi + ferry to Miyajima
- 11:00 Itsukushima Shrine goshuin
- 12:30 Lunch in Omotesando
- 13:30 Daisho-in Temple goshuin (multiple options)
- 16:00 Return to Hiroshima
- 17:00 Senkoji ropeway and quick visit (if Onomichi visit added)
Two-Day Goshuin & Sightseeing
- Day 1: Hiroshima city — Gokoku Shrine + Mitaki-dera
- Day 2: Miyajima — Itsukushima Shrine + Daisho-in + (optional Senjokaku)
Shimanami Kaido Goshuin Ride
For cycling pilgrims, a 2–3 day Shimanami Kaido ride can collect goshuin at:
- Day 1: Kosanji Temple (Ikuchijima)
- Day 2: Oyamazumi Shrine (Omishima)
Goshuin-cho (Stamp Books) to Buy in Hiroshima
The goshuin-cho you choose is part of the souvenir. Hiroshima offers some distinctive designs:
| Source | Design theme | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|
| Itsukushima Shrine | Floating torii gate motif | ¥2,000–¥2,500 |
| Daisho-in Temple | Buddhist motifs, lotus | ¥1,800–¥2,200 |
| Gokoku Shrine | Hiroshima Castle imagery | ¥1,500–¥2,000 |
| Mitaki-dera | Waterfall and Tahoto pagoda | ¥1,800 |
Some travellers buy two — one for shrines, one for temples — though many shrines now accept mixed books.
Practical Tips
- Cash only. Always bring ¥500 coins; not all counters give change for ¥10,000 bills
- Time of day. Most counters open 09:00–16:30. Arrive in the morning for shorter queues
- Festival days. Special-edition goshuin may be issued on festival days — but queues are dramatically longer
- Don’t rush. Sit with the book for a moment after receiving each stamp; the value is in the slow accumulation
- Photography: Photographing the goshuin-cho pages is fine for personal use; photographing the calligrapher at work is not
- First page. Many people save the first page of a new book for their most meaningful stop. Itsukushima is a worthy candidate for that first page.
- Storage: Goshuin-cho should be stored flat in a clean, dry place. Some collectors keep theirs in a silk pouch — sold at most shrines and temples.