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Your companion for Japan’s temples and shrines

Discover sacred places, explore Journey itineraries, check live transit, and keep your goshuin and travel memories together.

Download Goshuin Atlas, your Japan travel companion, on the App Store
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Traditional Japanese Buddhist temple with vibrant autumn colors and pagoda architecture - perfect for goshuin collection

For every part of your trip

Explore places before you go, find practical help along the way, and keep the memories when you return.

Journey

Explore curated itineraries, saved places, and practical travel guides in one place.

Live Transit

Check departures and service updates, save stations and lines, and follow supported services with Live Activities. Coverage varies by area.

Official Weather Warnings

View official heat and weather warnings for your current location or a selected area in Japan.

Traveler Community

Discover visits, reviews, photos, and stories shared by fellow travelers, and share your own experiences.

Apple Watch Companion

Check in from your wrist, track walks, and save supported activity to Apple Health.

Temple Audio Guides

Listen to chapter-by-chapter guides with a following transcript at selected temples. The first two chapters are free; Pro unlocks the rest and offline audio.

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.

Loved by Japan Travelers Worldwide

Loved by Japan Travelers Worldwide

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

The app is really just awesome :) you have everything what you need if you want to see the beauty of Japan. The UI is also ok and the workflow is really simple, straight forward. Recommend

— DrRogla · App Store review

I’m from Japan and I find this app to be very well designed and beautiful. I was able to search for shrines in my local area. I think I will use it when I visit other prefectures too.

— Japan Novelist · App Store review

As a resident of Japan I’m often curious to learn more about the many temples scattered around the country. With this app I can find out all the details about it. It’s beautifully designed and a joy to use. I really appreciate the iPad layout too.

— //..k_fury · App Store review

Très bon site, très bien construit et très intéressant !! Je recommande vivement

— Chfrérot · App Store review

The app is really just awesome :) you have everything what you need if you want to see the beauty of Japan. The UI is also ok and the workflow is really simple, straight forward. Recommend

— DrRogla · App Store review

I’m from Japan and I find this app to be very well designed and beautiful. I was able to search for shrines in my local area. I think I will use it when I visit other prefectures too.

— Japan Novelist · App Store review

As a resident of Japan I’m often curious to learn more about the many temples scattered around the country. With this app I can find out all the details about it. It’s beautifully designed and a joy to use. I really appreciate the iPad layout too.

— //..k_fury · App Store review

Très bon site, très bien construit et très intéressant !! Je recommande vivement

— Chfrérot · App Store review

The app is really just awesome :) you have everything what you need if you want to see the beauty of Japan. The UI is also ok and the workflow is really simple, straight forward. Recommend

— DrRogla · App Store review

I’m from Japan and I find this app to be very well designed and beautiful. I was able to search for shrines in my local area. I think I will use it when I visit other prefectures too.

— Japan Novelist · App Store review

As a resident of Japan I’m often curious to learn more about the many temples scattered around the country. With this app I can find out all the details about it. It’s beautifully designed and a joy to use. I really appreciate the iPad layout too.

— //..k_fury · App Store review

Très bon site, très bien construit et très intéressant !! Je recommande vivement

— Chfrérot · App Store review

Beautiful guide that shows different places you can visit in Japan. It’s shows where you can go, if it’s free or cost you some extra cash and a map were you can see and decide what to do once you get there. And when you do, DO EVERYTHING! Japan is an amazing place and this app will show you that for sure! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

— Daveechang · App Store review

This app is simply amazing! If you’re planning to visit temples and shrines in Japan - especially if you collect goshuin - this app is an absolute must-have. It makes finding temples and shrines incredibly easy and being able to save every goshuin means you’ll always remember exactly where you received each one. Looking back at past trips has become so much more enjoyable because everything is organized in one place. One of the best things about the app is its community. The database keeps growing with new temples and shrines and if you find a place that’s missing, you can suggest it. New locations are usually added very quickly, which is impressive. I’ve also reported a few minor mistakes and they were corrected almost immediately. It’s obvious that the developer is passionate about the app and truly listens to user feedback. The combination of an excellent app, an active community and a responsive developer makes this one of the best travel apps I’ve ever used. I honestly can’t imagine traveling through Japan without it. Highly recommended!

— omahn · App Store review

Every temple visit now starts and ends in this app. Goshuin Atlas does one thing and does it beautifully: finds temples and shrines near you, tells you whether they offer goshuin before you walk there, and gives you a digital goshuincho to log every stamp with a photo and a note. The temple pages are the quiet standout history, enshrined deities, access, hours, all in one place, so you arrive knowing what you’re looking at instead of piecing it together afterward. And the map handles both ends of the spectrum: the famous ones you planned for, and the small neighbourhood shrine you only noticed because you took the slower street. Months from now, the collection you’ve built here will be the part of the trip you keep coming back to. Clean, focused, clearly made by someone who’s actually spent long days doing this. If Japan’s sacred places are why you’re going, get this first.

— Spartacus2907 · App Store review

Beautiful guide that shows different places you can visit in Japan. It’s shows where you can go, if it’s free or cost you some extra cash and a map were you can see and decide what to do once you get there. And when you do, DO EVERYTHING! Japan is an amazing place and this app will show you that for sure! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

— Daveechang · App Store review

This app is simply amazing! If you’re planning to visit temples and shrines in Japan - especially if you collect goshuin - this app is an absolute must-have. It makes finding temples and shrines incredibly easy and being able to save every goshuin means you’ll always remember exactly where you received each one. Looking back at past trips has become so much more enjoyable because everything is organized in one place. One of the best things about the app is its community. The database keeps growing with new temples and shrines and if you find a place that’s missing, you can suggest it. New locations are usually added very quickly, which is impressive. I’ve also reported a few minor mistakes and they were corrected almost immediately. It’s obvious that the developer is passionate about the app and truly listens to user feedback. The combination of an excellent app, an active community and a responsive developer makes this one of the best travel apps I’ve ever used. I honestly can’t imagine traveling through Japan without it. Highly recommended!

— omahn · App Store review

Every temple visit now starts and ends in this app. Goshuin Atlas does one thing and does it beautifully: finds temples and shrines near you, tells you whether they offer goshuin before you walk there, and gives you a digital goshuincho to log every stamp with a photo and a note. The temple pages are the quiet standout history, enshrined deities, access, hours, all in one place, so you arrive knowing what you’re looking at instead of piecing it together afterward. And the map handles both ends of the spectrum: the famous ones you planned for, and the small neighbourhood shrine you only noticed because you took the slower street. Months from now, the collection you’ve built here will be the part of the trip you keep coming back to. Clean, focused, clearly made by someone who’s actually spent long days doing this. If Japan’s sacred places are why you’re going, get this first.

— Spartacus2907 · App Store review

Beautiful guide that shows different places you can visit in Japan. It’s shows where you can go, if it’s free or cost you some extra cash and a map were you can see and decide what to do once you get there. And when you do, DO EVERYTHING! Japan is an amazing place and this app will show you that for sure! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

— Daveechang · App Store review

This app is simply amazing! If you’re planning to visit temples and shrines in Japan - especially if you collect goshuin - this app is an absolute must-have. It makes finding temples and shrines incredibly easy and being able to save every goshuin means you’ll always remember exactly where you received each one. Looking back at past trips has become so much more enjoyable because everything is organized in one place. One of the best things about the app is its community. The database keeps growing with new temples and shrines and if you find a place that’s missing, you can suggest it. New locations are usually added very quickly, which is impressive. I’ve also reported a few minor mistakes and they were corrected almost immediately. It’s obvious that the developer is passionate about the app and truly listens to user feedback. The combination of an excellent app, an active community and a responsive developer makes this one of the best travel apps I’ve ever used. I honestly can’t imagine traveling through Japan without it. Highly recommended!

— omahn · App Store review

Every temple visit now starts and ends in this app. Goshuin Atlas does one thing and does it beautifully: finds temples and shrines near you, tells you whether they offer goshuin before you walk there, and gives you a digital goshuincho to log every stamp with a photo and a note. The temple pages are the quiet standout history, enshrined deities, access, hours, all in one place, so you arrive knowing what you’re looking at instead of piecing it together afterward. And the map handles both ends of the spectrum: the famous ones you planned for, and the small neighbourhood shrine you only noticed because you took the slower street. Months from now, the collection you’ve built here will be the part of the trip you keep coming back to. Clean, focused, clearly made by someone who’s actually spent long days doing this. If Japan’s sacred places are why you’re going, get this first.

— Spartacus2907 · App Store review

Goshuin Atlas is a fantastic app for anyone interested in exploring Japan’s temples and shrines. The map makes it easy to find nearby places, learn about their history, check goshuin details, and save locations for future visits. I especially like the community features and Apple Watch support. Being able to record walks, track temple visits, save photos and notes, and share discoveries makes the experience feel much more personal.

— Itachi_7576 · App Store review

I really like the aesthetic of this app. The little details like the community, the path and the visuals are very appealing.

— Ahahahahahana · App Store review

It has been really helpful in planning my trip to Japan and exploring Goshuin. Thank you.

— manishph · App Store review

Goshuin Atlas is a fantastic app for anyone interested in exploring Japan’s temples and shrines. The map makes it easy to find nearby places, learn about their history, check goshuin details, and save locations for future visits. I especially like the community features and Apple Watch support. Being able to record walks, track temple visits, save photos and notes, and share discoveries makes the experience feel much more personal.

— Itachi_7576 · App Store review

I really like the aesthetic of this app. The little details like the community, the path and the visuals are very appealing.

— Ahahahahahana · App Store review

It has been really helpful in planning my trip to Japan and exploring Goshuin. Thank you.

— manishph · App Store review

Goshuin Atlas is a fantastic app for anyone interested in exploring Japan’s temples and shrines. The map makes it easy to find nearby places, learn about their history, check goshuin details, and save locations for future visits. I especially like the community features and Apple Watch support. Being able to record walks, track temple visits, save photos and notes, and share discoveries makes the experience feel much more personal.

— Itachi_7576 · App Store review

I really like the aesthetic of this app. The little details like the community, the path and the visuals are very appealing.

— Ahahahahahana · App Store review

It has been really helpful in planning my trip to Japan and exploring Goshuin. Thank you.

— manishph · 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, your Japan travel companion, on the App Store

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

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Goshuin Atlas?
Goshuin Atlas helps you discover Japan’s temples and shrines, explore Journey itineraries and travel guides, and record your goshuin and visits. You can also check supported live transit services, listen to selected temple audio guides, and discover stories from fellow travelers.
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?
Your saved records stay on your device. Before traveling, Pro users can download temple details and photos for offline access. Download available guides separately. Live transit, weather, community updates, and some map features need an internet 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.

Get Started

Begin Your Cultural Adventure Today

Find temples and shrines, explore Journey, and keep your goshuin and travel memories with you on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Download Goshuin Atlas, your Japan travel companion, on the App Store

Requires iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4 or later. Available on iPhone and iPad, with an Apple Watch companion. Also compatible with Apple silicon Mac and Apple Vision.