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A Family Guide to Collecting Goshuin & Eki Stamps in Japan
- andrewsco3
- Jan 24
- 7 min read
Have you seen those beautiful calligraphy stamps on Instagram and wondered where people get them?
Or maybe you’ve heard about goshuin but aren’t quite sure what makes them so special, or even whether tourists can collect them.
We’d heard of them too, but it wasn’t until the Japan leg of our 100‑day family sabbatical that we truly understood how meaningful (and fun!) they can be.
What started as a small curiosity quickly became one of the girls’ favourite traditions as we collected goshuin at temples and shrines and searched for eki stamps at train stations wherever we went.
Goshuin, in particular, are a unique kind of keepsake that feels almost like a piece of art, as they are created by hand with beautiful calligraphy. They’re something adults admire for the craftsmanship, and kids love for the thrill of collecting.
And, as we learned along the way, many tourists don’t even know about goshuin or eki stamps until they’re already partway through their trip - only to wish they had discovered them earlier, when they could have collected so many more!
This guide covers everything you need to know about goshuin, goshuincho etiquette, and practical tips to help families enjoy collecting both goshuin and eki stamps as they travel around Japan - along with tips as to how we used them to keep the kids happily engaged everywhere from temples to train platforms!
What Are Goshuin Stamps?
Goshuin are beautiful handwritten calligraphy stamps given at temples and shrines (for a small fee), usually prepared by a monk or attendant. Each one is made with a combination of brushstrokes and red seals, and they serve as a spiritual record of your visit.
Traditionally, goshuin were given to pilgrims as proof that they had visited a sacred site, offered prayers, or copied a sutra. They weren’t just souvenirs but acknowledgements of devotion.
Today, the practice is much more accessible, but that same spirit carries through - receiving a hand‑prepared stamp as a meaningful mark of your visit.
Each goshuin is unique, and it's a wonderful keepsake to collect as a way of remembering the temples you’ve visited in Japan - and there are lots.... especially in temple‑rich cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. As you travel, you might also notice that some temples and shrines offer seasonal goshuin, with designs featuring cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in June, etc.
While goshuin originated in Buddhist temples, many Shinto shrines now offer them too. Some collectors keep separate books for each out of tradition, but this isn’t required and it isn't something that we did, and we didn't have any issues. The main thing is simply treating the book with respect.
You’ll usually find two types of goshuin: handwritten ones created directly in your book, and pre‑printed versions on separate paper that you can paste in later.
The handwritten ones feel more personal and are lovely to watch being created, while the paper versions are great at busy temples. They would look amazing displayed in a framed collage on the wall.
What are Goshuincho?
You collect goshuin stamps in a book called a goshuincho, which is a concertina‑style book designed specifically for this purpose.
Goshuincho open the traditional Japanese way, which means you begin on the end that feels like the “back” if you’re used to Western books. From there, you work your way forward stamp by stamp.
You’ll find these books available all over Japan, in temples, bookstores, and even some souvenir shops - though some of the nicest we saw were at the Itoya stationery store in Ginza.
Many temples offer their own beautifully designed goshuinch. For example, Sengaku‑ji temple had a stunning 47 Ronin version. We bought our goshuincho there at the start of the trip, as it was the first temple we visited.
It's important to note that goshuincho are meant for collecting goshuin from temples and shrines only, and it’s considered bad etiquette to mix these pages with non‑religious stamps like eki stamps or character stamps, like hello kitty.
This is because it’s a religious practice rooted in respect for the sacred temples that issue them, and mixing in casual or commercial stamps can be seen as diminishing the spiritual significance of the book.
If you are wanting to collect eki stamps (or any other stamps for that matter), bring along another blank notebook or a journal specifically for that purpose.
It keeps your goshuincho focused on its original purpose, and it’s a simple way to show respect for the traditions of the temples and shrines that give out goshuin.
Collecting Goshuin: Etiquette (Kid-Friendly Edition)
Traditionally, receiving a goshuin goes hand‑in‑hand with showing a moment of respect at the temple or shrine. For us, this meant pausing to appreciate the space, using the cleansing fountain, being quiet and calm, and taking a moment to admire the surroundings.
We regularly sat and thought about Grandad who recently passed away, and lit a candle for him. Even if you’re not religious, it’s a thoughtful way to acknowledge the atmosphere of the place and the care that goes into preparing each goshuin.
To receive a goshuin, you first present the monk or attendant with your open goshuincho, turned to the next blank page where you would like the stamp and calligraphy to be placed.
At Sengaku‑ji Temple, there is a traditional process to follow before receiving the goshuin. When we visited, we were asked to complete a short sutra practice, which involved tracing the sutra’s kanji characters as a form of shakyō (sutra copying).
It was a lovely experience, especially for the kids, and a wonderful way to connect with Japanese culture in an authentic way.
The full process is explained on the temple’s website here.
Once you have handed your goshuincho over, you’ll be asked to pay a small fee (usually around 300–500 yen), and it typically takes just a few minutes for the calligraphy to be completed.
At some of the busier temples, you also have the option of purchasing a pre‑printed goshuin on a separate sheet of paper. You can glue this into your book later, or even frame it for display at home.
Make sure to be respectful. It's generally frowned upon to take photos or videos of the goshuin writing process. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to ask.
What Are Eki Stamps?
Eki stamps are another fun collectible you’ll find all across Japan. They are simple, free rubber stamps available at most train stations, and each stamp features a unique design inspired by the local area.
Some showcase famous landmarks, others highlight regional foods, mascots, or historical figures, and every station has its own personality.
Best of all, they don’t cost anything, which made them an easy, everyday adventure for the kids.
You’ll usually find the stamp station near the ticket gates, the station office or ticket counter - often tucked beside the turnstiles, on a small counter. If you are not sure where the counter is, you can ask at the ticket desk and they should be able to help you.
The great thing about eki stamps is that there’s no strict rule about what kind of book you use to collect them. Unlike goshuin, which must be kept in a dedicated goshuincho, eki stamps are completely flexible.
You can stamp them into a simple notebook, a travel journal, a sketchbook, or even onto individual loose sheets of paper if that’s what you have on hand.
This makes them incredibly easy for kids to collect, and it removes any pressure about “doing it right.” As long as you have a flat surface to stamp on, you’re good to go.... you could even stamp your hand if you were so inclined!
There is a fantastic website (although it is in Japanese) where you can discover all the various eki stamps that are available at different locations.
Other Fun Places to Find Stamps
Once you know to look for them, stamps appear everywhere. Beyond train stations, Japan is full of unexpected places where you can collect fun, quirky stamps.
Many museums, castles and other tourist attractions have their own stamps, which are often themed to match the history or character of the site. The kids quickly learned to keep an eye out for the little stamp tables tucked into corners or near entrance gates!
One of the best places was Character Street, located on the ground floor of Tokyo Station, where there are over 20 stores that feature anime characters - everything from Winnie the Pooh and Pokémon to Hello Kitty and Mofusand. The kids had an absolute blast!
Why This Became One of Our Kids’ Favourite Traditions
Looking back on our adventures through Japan, it still amazes us how something so simple like collecting goshuin and eki stamps, became one of the girls’ absolute favourite parts of the trip.
What began as a fun way to keep them engaged at temples and train stations quickly turned into a friendly scramble at each new stop to see who could spot the stamp or goshuin counter first!
In the end, it was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the smallest traditions end up creating the biggest memories.
We keep our goshuincho on the kitchen table, and it’s become both a lovely reminder of our travels and a great conversation starter when friends and family visit. It’s such a personal and one-of-a-kind keepsake from Japan, and every time I open it, I’m taken right back to the exact moment each stamp was collected.
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