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Goshuingoshuin

The Ultimate App for Cultural Travel Japan

Transform your cultural travel Japan experience with our temple finder Japan app. Explore numerous temples & shrines, learn about goshuin traditions, and discover Japan's sacred heritage.

Download Goshuin Atlas on the App Store - Free temple finder app for Japan
New and
Noteworthy
4.9 ★
Rating
Traditional Japanese Buddhist temple with vibrant autumn colors and pagoda architecture - perfect for goshuin collection

Features

Powerful features

Discover Sacred Places

Your next spiritual destination is just a tap away. Explore temples and shrines across all 47 prefectures.

Let the app guide you to hidden gems and goshuin opportunities near you.

Screenshot of Goshuin Atlas app showing Discover Sacred Places: Your next spiritual destination is just a tap away. Explore temples and shrines across all 47 prefectures. Let the app guide you to hidden gems and goshuin opportunities near you.

Interactive Map

See Japan's spiritual landscape unfold before you. Explore thousands of temples on an interactive map.

Filter by what matters to you—type, pilgrimage, or region—and plan your perfect route.

Screenshot of Goshuin Atlas app showing Interactive Map: See Japan's spiritual landscape unfold before you. Explore thousands of temples on an interactive map. Filter by what matters to you—type, pilgrimage, or region—and plan your perfect route.

Explore Pilgrimages

Walk in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims. Follow legendary routes like Shikoku 88 or Saigoku 33.

Track your progress and uncover the stories behind each sacred stop.

Screenshot of Goshuin Atlas app showing Explore Pilgrimages: Walk in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims. Follow legendary routes like Shikoku 88 or Saigoku 33. Track your progress and uncover the stories behind each sacred stop.

Benefits

And so much more

Goshuin Atlas is packed with features that reveal themselves naturally once you dive in.

Smart Search Find temples by name, location, or deity. Filter by prefecture or pilgrimage route.
Saved Temples Save favorite temples so you can find them later and plan future visits.
Rich Details View temple history, enshrined deities, visiting hours, and special events.
Nearby Discovery Find temples and shrines near your current location with distance and directions.
Data ExportPro Export your saved temples in multiple formats for backup or sharing.
iCloud SyncPro Your saved temples stay up-to-date across all your Apple devices automatically.

iCloud Sync

Pro

Your saved temples stay up-to-date across all your Apple devices automatically.

Screenshot of Goshuin Atlas app showing iCloud Sync: Your saved temples stay up-to-date across all your Apple devices automatically.

Discover Sacred Places

Find temples and shrines across all 47 prefectures with detailed information, history, and visiting hours.

Screenshot 1 of Goshuin Atlas app showing Discover Sacred Places: Find temples and shrines across all 47 prefectures with detailed information, history, and visiting hours.
Screenshot 2 of Goshuin Atlas app showing Discover Sacred Places: Find temples and shrines across all 47 prefectures with detailed information, history, and visiting hours.

Save Your Favorites

Bookmark temples you want to visit and track the places you've explored.

Screenshot of Goshuin Atlas app showing Save Your Favorites: Bookmark temples you want to visit and track the places you've explored.

Get directions

Get directions to temples and shrines directly in Goshuin Atlas or with your favorite maps app.

Screenshot of Goshuin Atlas app showing Get directions: Get directions to temples and shrines directly in Goshuin Atlas or with your favorite maps app.
View All Features

EXPLORE ONLINE

discover on goshuin.com

Explore temples, pilgrimages, and cultural guides on our companion website — free and updated regularly.

Loved by Japan Travelers Worldwide

Loved by Japan Travelers Worldwide

Join thousands who have transformed their temple and shrine exploration with Goshuin Atlas.

Unlike generic apps like Google Maps, Goshuin Atlas is all about temples and shrines — and that focus makes a huge difference. It’s so much easier to find meaningful spots without all the noise. I’ve tried other similar apps before, but none felt as polished or thoughtfully designed as this one. Highly recommended for anyone exploring Japan’s spiritual side!

— Kaia_ra · App Store review

Franchement, super appli pour les personnes qui aiment visiter les temples et sanctuaires au Japon. Elle est belle, simple à utiliser, et j’aime beaucoup le fait de pouvoir garder une trace de mes goshuin au même endroit. Ça rend l’expérience encore plus sympa pendant le voyage.

— totolefootballeur · App Store review

It is a must-have for exploring Japan. It makes finding hidden temples and shrines super easy, allowing you to track your goshuin collection. Awesomely designed, great addition to Google Maps.

— AleksandrEf · App Store review

Super app pour découvrir les temples au Japon et garder ses goshuin au même endroit. L’interface est fluide, agréable à utiliser et vraiment pensée pour les voyageurs

— Tuga-Aveiro37 · App Store review

Unlike generic apps like Google Maps, Goshuin Atlas is all about temples and shrines — and that focus makes a huge difference. It’s so much easier to find meaningful spots without all the noise. I’ve tried other similar apps before, but none felt as polished or thoughtfully designed as this one. Highly recommended for anyone exploring Japan’s spiritual side!

— Kaia_ra · App Store review

Franchement, super appli pour les personnes qui aiment visiter les temples et sanctuaires au Japon. Elle est belle, simple à utiliser, et j’aime beaucoup le fait de pouvoir garder une trace de mes goshuin au même endroit. Ça rend l’expérience encore plus sympa pendant le voyage.

— totolefootballeur · App Store review

It is a must-have for exploring Japan. It makes finding hidden temples and shrines super easy, allowing you to track your goshuin collection. Awesomely designed, great addition to Google Maps.

— AleksandrEf · App Store review

Super app pour découvrir les temples au Japon et garder ses goshuin au même endroit. L’interface est fluide, agréable à utiliser et vraiment pensée pour les voyageurs

— Tuga-Aveiro37 · App Store review

Unlike generic apps like Google Maps, Goshuin Atlas is all about temples and shrines — and that focus makes a huge difference. It’s so much easier to find meaningful spots without all the noise. I’ve tried other similar apps before, but none felt as polished or thoughtfully designed as this one. Highly recommended for anyone exploring Japan’s spiritual side!

— Kaia_ra · App Store review

Franchement, super appli pour les personnes qui aiment visiter les temples et sanctuaires au Japon. Elle est belle, simple à utiliser, et j’aime beaucoup le fait de pouvoir garder une trace de mes goshuin au même endroit. Ça rend l’expérience encore plus sympa pendant le voyage.

— totolefootballeur · App Store review

It is a must-have for exploring Japan. It makes finding hidden temples and shrines super easy, allowing you to track your goshuin collection. Awesomely designed, great addition to Google Maps.

— AleksandrEf · App Store review

Super app pour découvrir les temples au Japon et garder ses goshuin au même endroit. L’interface est fluide, agréable à utiliser et vraiment pensée pour les voyageurs

— Tuga-Aveiro37 · App Store review

The app is fully loaded. It offers so many ways to find the right temple—map, pilgrimage, deity, and other attributes. The details for a specific temple are very rich. I like the notes for etiquette, in particular. This app really helps you find what you’re looking for and know what to expect when you get there.

— matthewhogg · App Store review

Really solid app. Super helpful if you’re trying to find temples and shrines specifically. Google Maps isn’t great for that. The interface is clean, and it worked even without signal. Definitely recommend it for anyone planning a spiritual route in Japan.

— mknday · App Store review

Super slick UI easy to navigate. Love the Map feature, can see where to visit. One nice thing is the ability to suggest edits, I like it when devs care about user feedback good job ty

— dudewheresmycar420 · App Store review

The app is fully loaded. It offers so many ways to find the right temple—map, pilgrimage, deity, and other attributes. The details for a specific temple are very rich. I like the notes for etiquette, in particular. This app really helps you find what you’re looking for and know what to expect when you get there.

— matthewhogg · App Store review

Really solid app. Super helpful if you’re trying to find temples and shrines specifically. Google Maps isn’t great for that. The interface is clean, and it worked even without signal. Definitely recommend it for anyone planning a spiritual route in Japan.

— mknday · App Store review

Super slick UI easy to navigate. Love the Map feature, can see where to visit. One nice thing is the ability to suggest edits, I like it when devs care about user feedback good job ty

— dudewheresmycar420 · App Store review

The app is fully loaded. It offers so many ways to find the right temple—map, pilgrimage, deity, and other attributes. The details for a specific temple are very rich. I like the notes for etiquette, in particular. This app really helps you find what you’re looking for and know what to expect when you get there.

— matthewhogg · App Store review

Really solid app. Super helpful if you’re trying to find temples and shrines specifically. Google Maps isn’t great for that. The interface is clean, and it worked even without signal. Definitely recommend it for anyone planning a spiritual route in Japan.

— mknday · App Store review

Super slick UI easy to navigate. Love the Map feature, can see where to visit. One nice thing is the ability to suggest edits, I like it when devs care about user feedback good job ty

— dudewheresmycar420 · App Store review

Très belle découverte. L’application est pratique, fluide et vraiment bien pensée. J’aime beaucoup pouvoir retrouver les temples visités et organiser ma collection de goshuin plus facilement. On sent que l’app a été faite avec soin et avec une vraie compréhension du sujet. Merci!

— LaRose_Bleue · App Store review

Goshuin has been really helpful for planning the temple visits I had prepared, and I also discovered some new ones! I can’t wait to start collecting goshuin to show my family. Having public transportation info in the app is also super handy! Love it

— jmanrubia · App Store review

Adorei a app, ajudou-me bastante a preparar a minha viagem ao Japão e a encontrar templos com goshuin. Ainda falta talvez mais alguns detalhes em certas zonas, mas já é muito útil.

— Gonçalopsilva · App Store review

Très belle découverte. L’application est pratique, fluide et vraiment bien pensée. J’aime beaucoup pouvoir retrouver les temples visités et organiser ma collection de goshuin plus facilement. On sent que l’app a été faite avec soin et avec une vraie compréhension du sujet. Merci!

— LaRose_Bleue · App Store review

Goshuin has been really helpful for planning the temple visits I had prepared, and I also discovered some new ones! I can’t wait to start collecting goshuin to show my family. Having public transportation info in the app is also super handy! Love it

— jmanrubia · App Store review

Adorei a app, ajudou-me bastante a preparar a minha viagem ao Japão e a encontrar templos com goshuin. Ainda falta talvez mais alguns detalhes em certas zonas, mas já é muito útil.

— Gonçalopsilva · App Store review

Très belle découverte. L’application est pratique, fluide et vraiment bien pensée. J’aime beaucoup pouvoir retrouver les temples visités et organiser ma collection de goshuin plus facilement. On sent que l’app a été faite avec soin et avec une vraie compréhension du sujet. Merci!

— LaRose_Bleue · App Store review

Goshuin has been really helpful for planning the temple visits I had prepared, and I also discovered some new ones! I can’t wait to start collecting goshuin to show my family. Having public transportation info in the app is also super handy! Love it

— jmanrubia · App Store review

Adorei a app, ajudou-me bastante a preparar a minha viagem ao Japão e a encontrar templos com goshuin. Ainda falta talvez mais alguns detalhes em certas zonas, mas já é muito útil.

— Gonçalopsilva · App Store review

Pricing

Simple pricing

Free

$0/forever

Everything you need to start your goshuin journey

Browse all temples and shrines
1 digital goshuincho (10 pages)
Cloud sync with free account
Offline access to saved data
Download Goshuin Atlas on the App Store - Free temple finder app for Japan

Pro

—/year

Unlock the full experience for serious collectors

Unlimited goshuincho books (48 pages each)
iCloud sync across devices
Export collection (CSV, JSON, Apple Notes)
PDF goshuincho export
No watermarks on shared photos
Priority support
Learn More
Compare all features

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Goshuin Atlas?
Goshuin Atlas is a comprehensive mobile app designed to help travelers discover, navigate, and collect goshuin (sacred stamps) from Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines across Japan. The app combines cultural education with practical travel tools to enhance your spiritual journey.
Is Goshuin Atlas free to use?
Yes, Goshuin Atlas offers a comprehensive set of core features completely free. This includes temple discovery, basic collection tracking, and cultural information. Premium features for advanced organization and unlimited entries may be available in future updates.
Can I use the app offline?
Absolutely! Core temple information, your saved temples, and essential features work completely offline. While some mapping features for new areas require internet connectivity, previously viewed areas and all saved data remain accessible without connection.
How is my data stored? Is it private?
Your privacy is our priority. Without an account, all your saved temples and personal information are stored locally on your device using Apple's secure SwiftData framework. If you choose to create an account, your data is securely synced to our servers so you can restore it on any device or if you reinstall the app. We never share your data with third parties.
What is a goshuin?
A goshuin is a sacred seal stamp provided by Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japan as proof of your visit. These artistic stamps are hand-brushed by monks or shrine staff and traditionally collected in special books called goshuincho, representing your spiritual pilgrimage journey.
How much do goshuin cost?
Goshuin offering amounts vary by temple or shrine and by design, and some cost ¥1,000 or more. Check the amount posted at the goshuin office and carry cash. The offering helps support the temple or shrine.
What's the best time to visit temples for goshuin?
Most temples and shrines offer goshuin during regular visiting hours, typically 9 AM to 4 PM. Avoid major holidays and festivals when sites may be crowded. Early morning visits often provide a more peaceful experience and shorter wait times.
What is the point of goshuin?
Goshuin serve as sacred proof of worship and pilgrimage to Japanese temples and shrines. Originally, they were given to pilgrims who copied Buddhist sutras by hand as evidence of their devotion. Today, goshuin are collected in special books called goshuincho and represent a meaningful spiritual journey. Each goshuin is hand-calligraphed by temple staff and includes the temple's unique seal, making it both a personal memento and a record of your temple visits. The Goshuin Atlas app helps you track and organize your goshuin collection digitally while preserving the spiritual significance of each visit.
How much does a goshuin usually cost?
There is no universal goshuin price range. The offering amount varies by temple or shrine and by design, and some cost ¥1,000 or more. Check the posted amount and carry cash. Some temples offer pre-written goshuin on loose paper, while others write directly in your goshuincho; seasonal, limited, and elaborate designs can have different offering amounts.
How to politely ask for a goshuin?
Follow these steps for polite goshuin etiquette: First, complete your worship at the main hall before requesting a goshuin—they're proof of worship, not just souvenirs. Locate the temple office (shamusho) or goshuin counter (nōkyōsho), often near the entrance or main hall. Approach the counter, bow slightly, and say 'Goshuin onegaishimasu' (御朱印お願いします - Please provide a goshuin). Present your goshuincho with both hands, opened to the next blank page. Have cash ready for the amount posted by the temple or shrine. Wait patiently—hand calligraphy takes time. When receiving your book back, use both hands, bow, and say 'Arigatou gozaimasu' (ありがとうございます - Thank you very much). Never rush the process or photograph the staff while they work.
What are the two types of temples in Japan?
Japan has two main types of religious sites: Shinto shrines (jinja) and Buddhist temples (tera or ji). Shrines are dedicated to Shinto deities (kami) and are characterized by torii gates at the entrance, often with vermillion red color. Temples serve the Buddhist tradition and typically feature sanmon gates, Buddha statues, and pagodas. Visually, you can distinguish them by: shrines have torii gates, rope decorations (shimenawa), and focus on nature worship; temples have tile-roofed gates, incense burners, and Buddha imagery. Both offer goshuin, and many Japanese people visit both throughout their lives without conflict, as Buddhism and Shinto have coexisted harmoniously for centuries.
Why do Japanese people clap twice at shrines?
The two claps (kashiwade) at Shinto shrines serve to call the attention of the kami (deities) and purify the space around you. The standard ritual is 'two bows, two claps, one bow' (ni-rei, ni-hakushu, ichi-rei). After bowing twice deeply, you clap twice loudly to announce your presence to the deity and dispel negative energy. Then you offer a brief silent prayer with hands together before bowing once more in gratitude. This differs from Buddhist temples, where you do not clap but rather press your palms together in a gesture called gassho. Remember: clapping is only for shrines, not temples.
View Complete FAQ

Get Started

Begin Your Cultural Adventure Today

Download Goshuin Atlas from the App Store and unlock a deeper, more meaningful way to experience Japan's rich cultural heritage.

Download Goshuin Atlas on the App Store - Free temple finder app for Japan

Requires iOS 18.4 or later. Available on iPhone and Apple Watch; the iPhone app is also compatible with Apple silicon Mac and Apple Vision. iPad is not currently supported.