[Art and Travel 02] Summer Pilgrimage 2025: Encountering Artistic Goshuin (Shrine Seals)

"Natsumode" is a new Japanese custom of visiting shrines and temples after July 1st. It's a way to give thanks for the safety of the past six months since the first shrine visit in January, and to pray for peace and tranquility in the coming six months. I recently learned that more and more shrines and temples are offering special goshuin (stamped seals) only available during this period, so I took a trip around Kanagawa Prefecture to experience it.

[Hadano City] Izumo Taisha Sagami Branch Shrine

Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi, also known as "Izumo-san of the Kanto region," is a branch shrine of the Izumo Taisha sect that received a divided spirit from Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture in 1888. The shrine building is a unique wooden shrine style that combines the Taisha-zukuri and Gongen-zukuri architectural styles, and is also characterized by its long offering hall called the Tsubasa Heiden. The method of worship is the same as at Izumo Taisha: two bows, four claps, and one bow. It enshrines Okuninushi-no-Okami, affectionately known as Daikoku-sama, and Kotoshironushi-no-Okami.

After finishing my visit to the temple, here is the goshuin (temple stamp) I received.
The limited-edition handwritten goshuin (temple/shrine stamp) "Natsumode" (offering fee 500 yen) is an original design featuring the words "Natsumode" and a stamp shaped like a Chinese lantern plant. The exquisitely crafted "Kirie Goshuin" (offering fee 1,000 yen) has the date of visit written in. In addition, goshuin for the Ontake Shrine and Yasaka Shrine located within the temple grounds were also available (offering fee 300 yen each, with a set of all three shrines available for 1,000 yen).
On August 7th, the large sacred rope at the shrine was replaced with a new one weighing approximately 120 kg, which was transported from Shimane Prefecture. In January 2026, a special exhibition is planned where visitors can touch the old sacred rope before it is burned and returned to the earth, sharing in its blessings.

Izumo Taisha Sagami Branch Shrine
Address: 1221 Hirasawa, Hadano City
Phone number: 0463-81-1122
Official website: Click here
*The limited edition "Summer Pilgrimage" goshuin (temple stamp) will be available until August 31st.

[Fujisawa City] Enoshima Shrine

Enoshima Shrine, located on Enoshima Island, is a prestigious shrine that enshrines one of Japan's three greatest Benzaiten deities. Visitors can circle the island and visit all three shrines: Hetsumiya, which enshrines Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto; Nakatsumiya, which enshrines Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto; and Okutsumiya, which enshrines Takirihime-no-Mikoto. With many spots where you can feel the sea breeze, the shrine attracts many worshippers from both Japan and abroad.

There are a total of 10 types of goshuin (temple/shrine stamps), and I chose these two this time.
The "Enoshima Shrine Sannomiya General Seal" (offering fee 300 yen) was stamped with a special seal for visiting on the Day of the Snake, as my visit coincided with the auspicious day of worship for Benzaiten. The "Okutsu-miya Ceiling Painting: Eight-Directional Gazing Turtle Seal" (offering fee 300 yen), which is used to pray for protection from all directions and the arrival of good fortune, is given on high-quality paper. The contrast between the ink calligraphy and the red seals is beautiful in both cases.

Enoshima Shrine
Address: 2-3-8 Enoshima, Fujisawa City
Phone number: 0466-22-4020
Official website: Click here

[Naka Ward, Yokohama City] Honmoku Shrine

Honmoku Shrine is where the "Ouma Nagashi" ritual, a prefecturally designated intangible folk cultural property, is held every year in early August. This ritual, which involves releasing (fleeing) evil spirits (gods), will mark its 460th anniversary this summer, counting from its founding in 1566. The "Ouma" figures, made from woven reeds, have the appearance of a horse's head and a turtle's body, and including the feathers on their heads and long tails, they are about 50cm to 1m in size. All kinds of misfortunes are entrusted to the six Ouma figures, which are then carried offshore from Honmoku and floated away into the sea.

All of the Goshuin (temple/shrine stamps) for August feature the Uma-nagashi (horse floating) ritual, and an original thin paper with illustrations of festival boats and other images is pasted over the handwritten Goshuin. The special double-page Goshuin commemorating the preservation of the Uma-nagashi, which depicts the horse and an old-style wooden festival boat, is only given to those who donate 1,000 yen or more, and the donation goes towards the preservation of the Uma-nagashi. Due to the importance of preserving this important spiritual culture of the region for future generations, it will continue to be given out from September onwards.

Honmoku Shrine
Address: 19 Honmoku Wada, Naka-ku, Yokohama City
Phone number: 045-621-7611
Official website: Click here
*The "Seasonal Goshuin - Summer" will end on August 31st.

[Isogo Ward, Yokohama City] Negishi Hachiman Shrine

Negishi Hachiman Shrine is a beloved local Hachiman shrine with roots in the ancient sea of Negishi. The sacred grove behind the shrine, part of the old Negishi coastline, has been selected as one of Kanagawa's 50 most beautiful forests.
The goshuin (temple/shrine stamps) displayed at the shrine office are like works of art. In November 2024, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars won the SMBC Japan Series 2024, and their "Yokohama Championship Limited Edition Goshuin" was a spectacular and much talked-about item.

This time, I received the July-only double-page goshuin "Foam of Colorful Fire" (offering fee 500 yen), the summer pilgrimage limited goshuin (offering fee 350 yen), and the motorcycle goshuin (offering fee 350 yen). The motorcycle goshuin pictured is available until the end of September, and some people come to receive it while on a touring trip. For those who find it difficult to visit the shrine for various reasons, the shrine offers its products online. For the September-only goshuin, please see the "Online Offering" section on the official website.

Negishi Hachiman Shrine
Address: 1-1 Nishimachi, Isogo-ku, Yokohama City
Phone number: 045-753-6666
Official website: Click here
*All stamps except for the "Motorcycle Goshuin" are no longer available.

During this summer pilgrimage, I was able to find a moment of peace and clarity despite the sweltering heat. It looks like the hot weather will continue for a while longer this year. Why not take a trip to visit shrines and temples and collect Goshuin (temple/shrine stamps) in the fall and beyond?

Text by Mai Shimura (editor/writer)