Visiting important locations around the world is sure to create some lasting memories, and to commemorate those special moments most people like to bring home some sort of souvenir. Many times in Japan, those souvenirs are small trinkets like good-luck charms, jewelry, deity portraits, medallions, etc. But most visitors to Japan are not aware of one of the most amazing keepsakes called a Goshuin. Goshuin translates to “Honored Crimson Seal", and these seals were used by the Tokugawa Shogunate to keep track of registered temples and shrines within the state, therefore each registered temple and shrine in Japan has its own individual crimson seal. Today, these seals can be collected for very cheap, usually 300 yen (about $3), and can be collected in what are called Goshuinchô, or a Book of Goshuin. These books can also be purchased at any temple, shrine, or stationary store and come in a variety of colors and images unique to the temple or shrine where they are sold. The books usually go for around 1,000 yen ($10) but can vary in price based on the material of the covers. As you go from site to site, the Goshuinchô begins to act like a passport, keeping track of all the places you have visited. These are incredibly beautiful and useful for remembering where you went. I wrote the name of the site and some little facts about each place on the back of the page so I could remember. Almost every single place that I will be writing about in these posts has a Goshuin which is how I've been able to remember them all. To find the person who writes the Goshuin at any given site, there are often signs with these characters: 御朱印 or 御朱印帳, but you can always get directions by asking someone: "Goshuin ga arimasu ka?" or "Goshuin wa doko desu ka?". If you can't remember those, try showing someone from the site the Goshuinchô you already have (if you have one) and typically they'll understand to point the way. Often the rule of thumb is that for each site there is one Goshuin, but sometimes that rule is broken particularly if the site is more like a complex. I will mention if a location has more than one Goshuin available for purchase, but keep an eye out because sometimes there will be special Goshuin on holidays that are different from the usual stamp. Have fun and good luck!!!