Want a unique souvenir from your trip to Japan? Why not a shuincho (朱印帳), a decorative collection of temple stamps that uniquely describes your trip!
Shuinchos can be purchased at all major and most medium sizes Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japan. Just look for the (朱印) sign or ask at the shop!
To ask for a book in Japanese : 朱印帳ください！ （しゅいんちょう ください！）Shuinchou kudasai!
To ask for a stamp in Japanese : 朱印 ください！ （しゅいん ください！）Shuin kudasai!
Originally these books were used for pilgrims visiting the temple to record their journey. The 88 shrines of Shikoku is a famous example, where people walk around the circumference of the island of Shikoku, visiting 88 different temples, and use a special shuinchou for the trip.
BONUS: Hipster cred! Stick that up on a shelf somewhere and you’re getting free Pabst Blue Ribbon all night my friend!
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8 Comments
I'm glad i found out about the stamp books. My trip is in july and I'll be going to kyoto and koyasan. I would have punched myself in the face if i found out about goshuincho after my trip. Thanks!
I'm going to Japan next month and my very first visit is to Todai-ji Temple in Nara. I will purchase a goshuin-cho there and make a collection of shuins across Japan. Thanks for this information.
This is great! I heard about it some time ago but forgot about it! Thanks for remembering haha 😀 I'm totally doing this! I'm going to Japan in September! Will be visiting Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka and Tokyo!
Mijijinguu is not temple. It's Jinja.
I'm going to japan in two weeks and I'm dying to know where you got the not-flower-printed shuin! I really really want a shuinchou that has a simple design like that one. (also I understand if you didn't reply to me in time for my trip, its sooo cloooose!)
I'm in Japan now I completed one now working on my second on 😉
扱いをもうすこし 大事にね ああ"(-""-)"
shuin (goshuin) is not stamp collecting.
A proof of created connection between god (or buddha) and people.
Shinto priests and temple priests often criticize “collecting stamps” worshiper, and occasionally say “Never come again”.
Please follow the rules, and don't be rude.