The Art of Goshuin - Collecting Stamps and Magical Memories in Japan

Fresh from an unforgettable week in Japan, we’re excited to share some highlights from one of our favorite cities—Kyoto. Join us as we explore the art of collecting Goshuin stamps and the stunning temples of the ancient capital.

First up - Kodai-ji Temple:

A 10-15 minute walk west from Kyoto's famous Gion district you'll find Kodai-ji - a buddhist temple built in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1606, later re-built in the early 20th century after fire damage. At Kodai-ji, we received our first Goshuin—a striking composition of red stamps adorned with elegant calligraphy, created in less than a minute by the temple’s skilled artist.

From here, we entered into the temple grounds and took a trip through the mesmerising Bamboo Grove located on the upper west side. A perfect spot for a couple more snaps - this one we particularly liked as it caught the sun's rays filtering through the trees - a phenomenon appreciated so much in Japan that it has a specific word to describe it - Komorebi (木漏れ日)

Revisiting Kiyomizudera:

Closed for renovation when we were last in Japan, this stunning temple, nestled into the mountainside with over 1200 years of history is now open for visitors again. 

Continuing our journey on foot southwest from Kodai-ji, we wandered through narrow streets lined with traditional shops, each step bringing back fond memories. The final stretch to the temple’s peak was well worth it—the panoramic view was just as breathtaking as we remembered. Visit in spring, and you might catch the stunning yet fleeting display of sakura blossoms blanketing the surrounding hills. The views in the Autumn once the leaves turn are not to be missed too. 

Here we collected our next Goshuin stamp from a little office located behind the temple's main structure, before taking the much needed photo of our newly collected artwork with both Kiyomizudera and the city of Kyoto in the background. 

Limited edition artwork at Ninna-ji temple:

As you will surely know by now, we are total cat lovers. That's why we couldn't resist picking up this special limited edition wintry cat-themed Goshuin artwork at Ninna-ji temple in Northern Kyoto.

Unlike traditional Goshuin, this special winter-themed cat design was pre-made on delicate Japanese paper, allowing visitors to purchase and attach it to their books. Luckily, our Shogado stampbooks come with Yuzen washi sticky strips—making it easy to secure these limited-edition artworks without damage. This one is now taking pride of place in our Stampbook too. 

The importance of quality in your stampbook:

Not only were we collecting stamps for our book, we were also collecting for mum too who started her stamp collection during a trip back in 2018. We discovered first-hand the difference that top-quality Hosho paper makes—our Shogado brand book allowed the ink to dry instantly. (image - below)

Mum's book took a little while longer (image - middle) and required the use of the hairdryer station (image - bottom) conveniently provided for visitors at Kiyomizudera.

The artists were so experienced that they could immediately recognise the paper quality in our Goshuin books, taking extra precautions with mum's book since they knew the paper wasn’t as absorbent.

Whether you're planning a trip to Japan to collect cherished memories or looking for the perfect canvas for your artistic projects, Shogado Goshuin books offer exceptional quality. With superior ink absorption, handmade Kyoto craftsmanship, and stunning Yuzen washi covers, they’re a must-have for travelers and creatives alike. Choose from a wide variety of stunning patterns, from bright neon colours to traditional floral and leaf designs too!

➡️ Shogado Goshuin Stampbooks

Here's just one of many 5 Star reviews from our sister Etsy store - Sweet Pea Dolls:

How to use Goshuin Stampbooks?

If you’re new to Goshuin collecting, here’s how it works: simply present your book at designated temple offices, and a skilled calligrapher will add a unique ink inscription alongside the temple’s red stamp. There will likely be a small fee for the artwork - often between 300-600 Japanese Yen (Approx £1.50-£3.00). Some locations offer pre-made designs, which can be attached using our Shogado books' included washi strips.

Share your experiences:

Have you collected Goshuin stamps in Japan, we'd love to hear about your experiences and the places you visited. Let us know in the comments below!