My goshuin journey began, quite fittingly, at Gōtokuji—Tokyo’s so-called “lucky cat temple” and widely considered the birthplace of the maneki-neko. As a lifelong ailurophile, I was naturally drawn to ...

Living and traveling in Japan, you are bound to come across one of the thousands of temples and shrines that dot the cities and countryside alike. Whether a Shinto shrine or a Buddhist temple, most ...

Planning to visit Japan’s shrines and temples? Here’s what goshuin are and how to get your first stamp. Everyone says “new year, new me,” but how many people can honestly say they’ve kept up their new ...

Almost weekly Momo Nomura makes time to visit Shinto shrines. She performs the prescribed rituals — cleansing her hands, ringing a bell, bowing and clapping. But her main purpose is getting a Goshuin, ...

IZUMISANO, Osaka Prefecture—A 62-year-old retiree from Suita, Osaka Prefecture, found a couple of surprises on his journey to express gratitude for the conclusion of his working life. He traveled ...

Goshuin seals and Goshuincho books are seen for resale on the product page of market app Mercari in May 2019. TOKYO -- With the extended 10-day Golden Week public holiday to celebrate the Imperial era ...

Many Japanese people visit Shinto shrines and collect Goshuin stamps without considering it a religious activity. About 70% of people in Japan have non-religious feelings towards traditional religions ...