A recommended tour of Goshuin stamps for sightseeing in Sendai. A model course to encounter rare limited editions

Recommended themes for visiting temple stamps in Sendai

If you are going to visit the temples in Sendai, you will want to collect rare, cute, and limited edition ones. So, we have prepared a one-day model itinerary for visiting temples in the center of Sendai city with the theme of "encountering rare temples."

A sample itinerary for visiting red-stamp shrines in Sendai

The starting point is Sakuragaoka Daijingu Shrine, located on the west side of the center of Sendai city. Take the Tozai subway line from Sendai Station, get off at Omachi Nishikoen Station, and it's a one-minute walk. It's close to the ruins of Sendai Castle, built by Date Masamune, and the Hirose River, a symbol of Sendai, flows nearby.

Sakuraoka Daijingu → Sendai Daijingu → Miyagi Prefecture Gokokujinja → Osaki Hachimangu → Aobajinja → Sendai Toshogu → Shiogamajinja → Tsutsumioka Tenmangu

[1] Sakuraoka Daijingu Shrine

Sakuragaoka Daijingu, located in Sendai City Nishi Park, a place of relaxation for the citizens of Sendai, was founded in 1621 (Genwa 7) by Date Masamune, the founder of the Sendai domain, who received a branch of the Ise Grand Shrine and built the shrine in Aramaki near Mount Aoba. Since then, it has been a shrine revered by generations of the Date clan.

It moved to its current location in 1872 (Meiji 5). Blessed with the natural surroundings of the Hirose River and Mt. Aoba, the shrine is loved by many locals as "Sendai's Ise Shrine," with cherry blossom viewing in the spring, fireworks at Nishi Park in the summer, Shichigosan in the fall, and New Year's visits in the winter. Be sure to stop by the neighboring long-established Gengo Chaya, where you can try the shrine's famous zunda mochi.

Eighteen deities are enshrined here, including Amaterasu Omikami and Toyouke Okami. It is said that the shrine bestows a wide range of benefits, including food, clothing and shelter, protection from misfortune, protection from natural disasters, family harmony, prosperity in business, recovery from illness, and academic success.

Once you have finished praying, you can receive a goshuin at the gift shop next to the worship hall. We also recommend purchasing an original goshuin book here.

The original goshuin book has a cherry blossom pattern, and the pearl foil and cloth lining give it an elegant impression. The regular version of the goshuin also has a cherry blossom seal, and on some days you can receive one handwritten. On rainy days, polka dots are distributed, and on snowy days, a version with a snowflake background pattern is distributed, but this is a rare hidden goshuin that is not well known even among locals.

Furthermore, gorgeous limited edition goshuin stamps are available in pink for the one-day festival on the 1st of each month, and in green for the monthly festival on the 17th. The character for "kami" (god) in Sakuraoka Daijingu Shrine is heart-shaped, apparently modeled after cherry blossom petals, and is popular for being cute and auspicious. These stamps will be available until they are sold out, so we recommend visiting early on the day.

In addition to this, the monthly goshuin stamps are also very popular. In June, the summer purification ritual will be available, in July the Tanabata festival, and in August the Sendai Tanabata festival will be available for a limited time and in limited quantities, so be sure to check the official Twitter account (@sakuragaoka729).

Sakuraoka Grand Shrine

[2] Sendai Shrine

Located about a five-minute walk east from Sakuraoka Daijingu is Sendai Daijingu. This is the only shrine in Miyagi that received its deity directly from Ise Grand Shrine, and is affectionately known as "Miyagi's Oise-sama."

It is a small shrine located in an area surrounded by apartment buildings, but due to its unique structure, with the main hall located right next to the vermilion-painted worship hall, and the fact that it is located on the former site of the mansion of Moniwa Suo, a capable vassal of Date Masamune, it is also a place visited by many history fans.

This goshuin is very pretty. It is an eraser stamp hand-carved by a female priest. Original stamps are handmade every month to match the season and events, and the goshuin are truly works of art, carefully hand-stamped one by one. There are no two alike in the world, making them rare.

By the way, this goshuin stamp just started in the spring of 2023. It is distributed in limited numbers from the 1st of each month, and there are two small sizes and one large size. The stamps have the warmth and gentle colors unique to eraser stamps, such as cherry blossoms and nemophila in April, wisteria and helmets in May, and brides and cherries in June, making them appealing to collect every month.

In addition, Sendai Daijingu Shrine is said to be the birthplace of Shinto weddings in Miyagi Prefecture, and is also famous as the god of matchmaking. The "mizu-mikuji" fortune telling, where you float a fortune slip in a flower water bowl filled with pure water, is also popular.

Sendai Shrine

[3] Miyagi Prefecture Gokoku Shrine

It takes about 10 minutes by car from Sendai Daijingu Shrine to Miyagi Prefecture Gokokujinja Shrine. While you're there, why not try the "Loople Sendai" sightseeing bus that loops around Sendai city?

To board the Loople Sendai, return to the direction of Sendai City Nishi Park where Sakuraoka Daijingu Shrine is located, cross the bridge over the Hirose River, and board the bus in front of the Museum and International Center. The bus stop from Sendai Daijingu Shrine is about an eight-minute walk away, and the Sendai Castle Ruins, where Miyagi Prefecture Gokoku Shrine is located, is a ten-minute bus ride away.

Miyagi Prefecture Gokoku Shrine is a shrine that worships the local heroes. It is located on the site of the former main citadel of Sendai Castle, and from the hilltop you can see the flow of the Hirose River and the lush greenery of Sendai, the city of trees. It is also known as the place where the famous statue of Date Masamune on horseback stands.

One thing you should definitely get here is a goshuin (stamp of a shrine) depicting Date Masamune. This is a special goshuin (stamp of a shrine) commemorating the restoration of the equestrian statue of Date Masamune, which was damaged in the earthquake in March 2022, and its return in March 2023.

The gorgeous design, with a silhouette of Masamune on a gold background, the bamboo and sparrow Date family crest, and the five-colored polka dot pattern associated with the Date family, is one of a kind. At present, the end of distribution is undecided, so we recommend that you get it early.

In addition, the original paper-cut goshuin stamp features a rare design of cherry blossoms and black kites, the symbols of Gokoku Shrine. The delicate design is full of Japanese atmosphere and is apparently very popular with foreign tourists. Another appeal of this goshuin stamp is that it can be used to take eye-catching photos, such as with the scenery of your travel destination.

As for the standard version, Miyagi Prefecture Gokoku Shrine has a neat red seal with the shrine crest of chrysanthemums and cherry blossoms, while Betsumiya Urayasu Shrine has a red seal with the Date clan crest of bamboo and sparrows and Date Masamune's crescent moon crest designed in gold and silver.

Miyagi Prefecture Gokoku Shrine stands at the site of the former main citadel of Sendai Castle, which is home to souvenir shops, a food court, and a facility where you can experience the former Sendai Castle in VR, making it a popular tourist spot.

Miyagi Prefecture Gokoku Shrine

[4] Osaki Hachiman Shrine

If you take the "Loople Sendai" sightseeing bus from Miyagi Prefecture Gokoku Shrine, you will arrive at Sendai's main guardian deity, Kokuho Osaki Hachiman Shrine, in about 20 minutes after six stops. This shrine was founded by Date Masamune in 1607. Since then, it has been revered by successive lords of the Sendai domain and the people of the castle town as a god of warding off evil, bringing good fortune, ensuring victory, and safe childbirth.

The shrine building, decorated with glittering carvings and decorative metal fittings, has a luxurious appearance that conveys Momoyama culture to the present day. The beautiful harmony of vivid colors and black lacquer led to it being designated a National Treasure in 1952 (Showa 27).

The shrine is busiest in the prefecture during New Year's visits, and is visited by many people throughout the year for events such as the Matsutaki Festival on January 14th, when people pray naked, the Setsubun Festival in February, the Tanabata Prayer Festival in August, the Yabusame Ritual in September, and the Shichi-Go-San festival in November.

To receive a goshuin, go to the reception desk to the right of the worship hall. At Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, goshuin stamps are available for the main hall and the five shrines within the grounds, and all are distributed by written notice.

This is the red seal of Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, the guardian deity of the Date clan. It is simple, but impressive with the word "national treasure" written boldly.

These are the stamps of the four shrines within the precincts. You can receive four stamps: Taigensha, which was made the principal deity by Lord Tsunamura, the fourth lord of the Sendai domain; Suwasha, the guardian deity of water; Kashimasha, known as the god of martial arts and determination; and Hokushinsha, the god of nature that created the heavens and the earth.

If you visit Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, you should definitely check out the birds. In fact, two pigeons are hiding in the letters on the torii gate. There is also a legend that in the past, a chicken would crow to warn of flooding in the small stream that flows to the west of Osaki Hachimangu Shrine. Although they are not chickens, there are several bantams that roam freely within the shrine grounds, so be sure to look for them.

Osaki Hachiman Shrine

【5】Aoba Shrine

Aoba Shrine, dedicated to Date Masamune, is located about 20 minutes by city bus from Osaki Hachiman Shrine. It was founded in 1874 (Meiji 7) by former retainers of the Date clan. Passing through the stone torii gate, there are old stone steps, and at the top of them the shrine grounds spread out before you.

Six buildings, including the main hall, built in the Sangensha Nagare style in 1924 (Taisho 13) and the worship hall, built in the irimoya style in 1927 (Showa 2), are designated as National Registered Tangible Cultural Properties.

The Sendai Aoba Festival, held every May in the center of Sendai, is an annual spring festival held by Aoba Shrine on May 24th, the anniversary of Date Masamune's death. It is known for attracting many local residents and featuring spectacular performances such as the sparrow dance and the mikoshi togyo.

One of the charms of Aoba Shrine is the spiritual atmosphere that permeates the shrine, with sights such as the temizuya (purification fountain) where a clad in armor, Date Masamune, is accompanied by a dragon, a stone torii gate engraved with markings of the moon, sun, and earth, and the legend of the Dragon God Pond.

You can get a handwritten goshuin at the shrine office reception to the left of the main hall. The goshuin is simple and powerful. When I asked the priest, he told me that about 70% of the people who request goshuin at Aoba Shrine are tourists from overseas.

The limited edition goshuincho (stamp book) featuring an image of Date Masamune and the Date clan crest is also something you'll want to take home as a memento of your trip.

Aoba Shrine

[6] Sendai Toshogu Shrine

From Aoba Shrine, walk for about 10 minutes to JR Kita-Sendai Station, then take the JR Senzan Line to Toshogu Station. From there, it's a 3-minute walk to Sendai Toshogu Shrine. Beyond the imposing stone torii gate, Goshinbashi Bridge, and Zuishinmon Gate, you'll find the worship hall and main hall.

Sendai Toshogu Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was chosen as the site by the second lord of the Sendai domain, Date Tadamune, because in 1591 (Tensho 19), Tokugawa Ieyasu rested here on his way back from inspecting the Kasai-Osaki Rebellion. It is said that the shrine offers blessings for good luck, protection from evil, safety of the household, academic success, business prosperity, and victory.

The shrine was completed in 1654 (Shoo 3), and at the time, 580,000 people were involved in its construction, making it a massive undertaking that drew on the combined efforts of the Sendai domain. The main hall, Karamon gate, lattice wall, Zuishinmon gate, and stone lantern, which bring together the best of Date culture, are designated as nationally important cultural properties, and the Chozuya (purification fountain) is a prefectural tangible cultural property.

Toshogu shrines across the country are known for their architectural style known as "gongen-zukuri," which connects the main hall where the gods are worshiped with the worship hall where people offer prayers. However, Sendai Toshogu Shrine is unique in that the main hall and worship hall are separate buildings. The Karamon Gate and main hall are not open to the public, but you can see them through the open-walled fence that surrounds them.

The Karamon gate doors are decorated with embossed carvings of phoenixes and kirins to protect the gods. The main hall enshrined behind them is decorated with carvings of hawks, heavenly maidens, and dragons, as well as metal fittings made with cloisonne metal fittings, which were the most advanced technology at the time.

Once you have finished praying, head to the gift shop at the back right of the worship hall. Here you can receive a handwritten goshuin (red seal).

When you hand over your goshuincho (stamp book) to the reception desk, the priest will carefully write it and stamp it with the three-leaf chrysanthemum crest and the inscription "Sendai City, Toshogu Shrine, Worship Commemoration."

Since the stamp is handwritten, the handwriting style varies depending on the writer, but the character "sen" in "Sendai Toshogu Shrine" on the goshuin at the time of the interview looked like a dragon rising to the sky. Goshuin are also proof that you have made a connection with the gods, so it is important to cherish such inspiration when you receive them. Also, Sendai Toshogu Shrine will be distributing limited goshuin stamps with the pattern of the zodiac animal during the New Year.

Sendai Toshogu Shrine

【7】Shiogama Shrine

After strolling around the temple town of Toshogu Shrine, return to JR Toshogu Station and take the JR Senzan Line to Sendai Station. From the East Exit, it's about a 5-minute walk to the next shrine, Shiogama Shrine.

Shiogama Shrine was founded in 1673 when Tsunamura Date, the 4th lord of the Sendai domain, rebuilt Shiogama Shrine, the Ichinomiya of Oshu in Shiogama, and established a temporary shrine here. After that, Shiotsuchi Oji-no-kami was welcomed from Shiogama Shrine and enshrined there again, which has been passed down to the present day. It is said to bring good fortune in safe childbirth, safe travels, finding love, and fulfilling first love.

Also known locally as "Nakakecho Shiogama Shrine," this shrine is located on an alley called "Hatsukoi-dori." This is the former site of Miuraya, where the famous Shimazaki Toson lived. Currently, the area is surrounded by apartment buildings due to the effects of land readjustment in the area, but it used to be a laid-back downtown area.

In fact, this shrine office is usually unmanned. You can receive a goshuin by taking the "Proof of Visit" paper that is available at the shrine office to the next shrine, Tsutsumioka Tenmangu.

This is the goshuin (red seal) of Shiogama Shrine that I received at Tsutsumioka Tenmangu Shrine. It has a sun-shaped three-pronged gate seal on it.

Shiogama Shrine

[8] Tsutsumioka Tenmangu Shrine

From Shiogama Shrine, return to Sendai Station and take the JR Senseki Line to Tsutsujigaoka Station, which is one stop away. From there, it's a two-minute walk to Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu Shrine. It's only one stop, so you can get there in about 15 minutes on foot. If you're in good shape, we recommend walking.

The east exit of Sendai Station is close to the home stadium of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and Miyagino-dori Street leading to Tsutsumioka Tenmangu Shrine is also known as "Eagles Road," where you can enjoy the atmosphere of a ballpark.

Tsutsumioka Tenmangu Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of academics. It is known as the "Tenjin of the City of Forests" and is visited by many students taking entrance exams every year.

It was established in its current location in 1667 (Kanbun 7), at the request of the third feudal lord, Date Tsunamune.

Sugawara no Michizane is also revered as the god of poetry and calligraphy, and the shrine is known for the many stone monuments bearing his haiku. In 1689 (Genroku 2), Matsuo Basho also visited the shrine. He left behind the haiku, "Here, on the azalea hill in Tamada Yokono, the time when the asahi blooms, I worship here at the shrine of Tenjin, but the day never comes" (Oku no Hosomichi).

The goshuin stamps are available at the gift shop to the right of the worship hall. The stamp bears a plum blossom symbol, which is associated with Sugawara no Michizane. It is accompanied by a waka poem: "If the east wind blows, let the plum blossoms bloom. Even though I have no master, I will not forget spring." This poem expresses the sadness of Michizane, who was ordered to leave his home.

Limited edition goshuin and goshuincho are available for the Tanabata season. The waka poem for Tanabata, "I will lend you the bridge the magpies can cross while waiting for Hikoboshi's journey," is a poem that expresses the loneliness of Michizane living apart from his wife. The goshuincho features plum blossoms that represent the Milky Way and a magpie.

If you visit Tsutsumioka Tenmangu Shrine, you should definitely try the "Uso (fake) fortune telling." It is said that if you receive a wooden carved Uso, all your misfortunes will turn into lies and good things will come your way. This Uso custom is found at Tenmangu Shrines all over the country, and there are many avid collectors. The adorable expressions are soothing.

Tsutsumioka Tenmangu Shrine

A tour of temple stamps to experience Date culture

As I visited the shrines in Sendai, I noticed how deeply connected they were to the Date clan. I was able to feel the Date culture that has been passed down through the generations. Another attraction is the rich greenery and nature that the city of Sendai, known as the City of Forests, has. Enjoy a leisurely trip collecting goshuin stamps while also savoring the delicious local delicacies such as zunda mochi and beef tongue.

The origins and etiquette of goshuin
Please see our article "Visiting Kamakura's Temple Stamps" for more information.

If you wish to collect stamps in Kamakura, visit the Seven Lucky Gods to bring good luck! A recommended itinerary that you can use right away

Kamakura is home to many historical buildings, including shrines and temples. If you are looking to collect goshuin stamps in this ancient city filled with power spots, we recommend a "Seven Lucky Gods Tour," which is also expected to bring good fortune. We will introduce a sample course with a map that is easy to understand and can be used as is.

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