2026.01.22
When you hear the word collection, what comes to mind?
Figures, tableware, travel magnets, postcards, commemorative medals, coins, stamps?
But collections aren’t always something you can physically see.
In Japan, you can find stamps in all kinds of places—train stations, museums, parks, roadside stations, tourist information centers, and more. When I was little, I used to get genuinely excited every time I saw one, because of the endless variety of colors, patterns, and designs. Japan’s stamp rally culture isn’t limited to tourist attractions either. Each stamp is uniquely designed for its location, often featuring local landmarks, mascots, or cultural symbols.
In many cases, stamping is free. Sometimes the stamps are part of a limited-time stamp rally based on a specific area, or tied to a major theme such as the Osaka Expo. Some towns even organize stamp rallies in shopping streets, where collecting stamps from different stores can earn you a prize—making it a fun way to support local revitalization.
Every time you collect a stamp, simply looking back at the stamp sheet brings your travel memories flooding back. If you think in RPG terms, it’s almost like a hidden “save point” that preserves your journey.
In other words, Japan’s stamp rallies are not just proof of travel—they feel like a record of the heart.
The Origins of Goshuin: From Edo-Period Nokyocho
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Among these traditions, the goshuincho (goshuin stamp book) is truly a pioneer of Japan’s “stamp rally” culture. It is said that the origins of goshuincho date back about 1,300 years to around the Nara period.
Originally, temples granted red seals and handwritten calligraphy as proof that a visitor had worshipped—or as certification that sutras had been copied and dedicated. The style we recognize today—receiving goshuin as a commemoration of a visit and collecting them in a nokyocho (goshuincho)—became widespread during the Edo period.
A nokyocho was originally created to receive official writing and seals as proof that sutras had been offered at temples and shrines. There were also ascetic pilgrims known as the Rokujurokubu, who traveled across Japan’s 66 provinces, dedicating the Lotus Sutra to representative temples and shrines of each region. As proof of dedication, they received a certificate called a Nokyo Uketorijo. This practice became the foundation of the nokyocho (goshuincho) tradition.
Many pilgrimage destinations included important shrines such as Ichinomiya and temples such as Kokubunji, and over time, sacred routes such as Shikoku and Saigoku were also incorporated into these journeys
Goshuin in Shikoku Pilgrimage: “Onokyo”
In the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, goshuin are called Onokyo (お納経).
At each temple’s nokyojo (stamp office), the staff handwrite the name of the principal deity and the temple name in ink, then apply an official red seal.
Unlike goshuin at shrines, Onokyo is not simply a “souvenir of a visit.” It is deeply connected to faith, serving as proof that one has offered sutras through chanting or copying.
When you receive Onokyo in a nokyocho or nokyojiku (hanging scroll format), many temples also provide an O-mie (御影 / 御姿). O-mie is a sacred paper image depicting the principal deity, treated as a spiritual embodiment and handled with care. (Note: O-mie is not given for seals received on a pilgrim’s white vest.)
One of the most distinctive features of Shikoku Onokyo is Kasane-in (重ね印)—overlapping seals. When pilgrims return for a second or third journey, they receive the seal again in the same space, without adding a date.This is because Onokyo is not meant to be a “commemorative stamp,” but rather something that accumulates as visible proof of devotion over time.
My Family’s Shikoku Pilgrimage Story
My grandparents are originally from Shikoku, and they completed the 88-temple pilgrimage multiple times. I remember being taught about the spiritual merit of collecting all 88 Onokyo seals. By receiving Onokyo, one is said to cleanse the 88 worldly desires, strengthen both mind and body, and deepen faith—making the completed nokyocho or nokyojiku a true symbol of fulfillment and completion.
This dedication does not have to be only for one’s own wishes; it can also be done for others, and even passed down to future generations. In that sense, it almost feels similar to quilting prayer.
When my grandfather had his first surgery and when my mother collapsed, my grandmother made the pilgrimage. When my grandfather underwent surgery a second time, a close family friend made the journey on our behalf. Because of that, I believe our family home in Shikoku likely holds several nokyocho and nokyojiku.
My grandfather once asked me, “Do you want me to give you a completed scroll?” But at the time, I was living in Japan, and I casually assumed I would go someday myself—so I declined. Now, I bit regret it.
A Unique “Underfoot” Joy of Travel
Finally, I want to introduce one more uniquely Japanese and surprisingly fun collectible: manhole cover photography.
In Japan, manhole covers have different designs depending on the city or town. To be honest, because I played too many video games, when I thought of manholes, I could only imagine Ninja Turtles or zombies coming out of them. But every time I return to Japan, I find myself walking while looking down with curiosity—because the manholes change from town to town, and they’re genuinely beautiful.
Compared to other countries, Japan is said to be the only place where local governments create distinctive manhole designs to promote their communities directly from the streets. There are so many adorable designs—Pokémon manholes, dinosaur-themed manholes in Katsuyama (a city known for dinosaur fossils), koi carp manholes, and more.
It’s easy to understand why “manhole tourism” has become a real trend, with more people searching for these covers and taking photos.
This is the website for Pokémon’s official local goods project, and it also includes manhole information:
https://local.pokemon.jp/en/
If you’d like to purchase T-shirts featuring local designs from across Japan, you can find them here:
And for those living in Japan, you can even receive a manhole-design T-shirt as a Furusato Nozei return gift.
Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) is a system introduced in Japan that allows individuals to donate to any municipality they wish to support. The portion of the donation exceeding 2,000 yen can be deducted from income tax and resident tax. Since many municipalities also offer return gifts such as local specialties, it has become widely used as a way to combine regional support with tax benefits.
The True Joy of Travel
Travel is about enjoying food, connecting with nature, and taking photos. But in Japan, there are also so many unique ways to preserve memories—stamp rallies, goshuincho, and even manhole hunting.
If you ever visit Japan, I encourage you to pay attention not only to famous sights, but also to the stamps placed at stations and unexpected corners of towns.
You may discover a new hobby in places you would normally overlook.
At my NPO, we also offer simple travel planning advice. If you’d like tips for enjoying Japan more deeply—or my personal recommendations for fun spots and hidden gems in Kansai (purely based on my own preferences!)—please feel free to reach out.
（References）
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20260111-OYT1T50100
https://88shikokuhenro.jp/basic/ohenro-no-kokoroe/
https://jafmate.jp/car/traffic_topics_20230711.html
https://goshuin.net/history-01/#:~:text=%E5%BE%A1%E6%9C%B1%E5%8D%B0%E3%81%AE%E8%B5%B7%E6%BA%90%E3%81%AF%E6%B1%9F%E6%88%B8,%E3%81%A6%E3%81%8D%E3%81%9F%E3%81%AE%E3%81%A7%E3%81%82%E3%82%8D%E3%81%86%E3%80%82
https://88shikokuhenro.jp/basic/ohenro-no-kokoroe/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://local.pokemon.jp/manhole
https://ec.awakakejikudo.jp/products/detail/161
https://www.jswa.jp/manhole-card
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hometown_tax?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://straightpress.jp/20220119/630210
https://www.jalan.net/news/article/208225