Introducing unique red seals in Japan (all over Japan)!

Chuson-ji Temple, located in Hiraizumi-cho, Nishibai-gun, Iwate Prefecture, is the Tohoku head temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism. It is widely known as a temple associated with the Oshu Fujiwara clan, which flourished for three generations during the Heian period. Konjikido is a repository of many cultural assets, including the best of the arts, crafts, and architecture of the period. The red seal distributed at Konjikido has the words "Konjikido" written in black ink in the center of the paper, and a vermilion seal surrounded by Sanskrit characters overlapping it, giving the impression of a powerful seal.

"Basic Information "
Address: 202, Hiraizumi Koronoseki, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishibai-gun, Iwate 029-4102
Access: Approx. 4 min. by bus from JR Hiraizumi Station "" to Chuson-ji stop "and get off at "
Phone number: 0191-46-2211

Motsu-ji Temple is a Tendai Sect temple with a hall in Hiraizumi Town, Nishibai-gun, Iwate Prefecture. According to temple legend, the temple was founded by Ennin in 850 during the Heian period. The temple was later destroyed in a great fire, but was rebuilt in a magnificent complex by Motohira and his wife, the second generation of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, and Hidehira, the third generation of the Oshu Fujiwara clan. The red seal distributed at Motsuji Temple bears the words "Yakushi Nyorai "in a unique script in the center of the paper.

"Basic Information "
Address: 58 Aza Osawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishibai-gun, Iwate 029-4102
Access: JR "Hiraizumi Station ", 10 min. walk from the station.
Phone number: 0191-46-2331

Karasumori Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. The shrine seems to have been founded in 940 during the Heian period (794-1185), based on the legend of Fujiwara Hidesato, a general who ruled over the rebellion of Taira no Masakado that took place in the eastern part of Japan. The regular red seals distributed at the shrine throughout the year are designed with the four-color Tomoe crest in red, yellow, blue, and green, and the company crest with a raven. Around 10 other special red seals are also prepared each year to coincide with Shinto rituals and events.

"Basic Information "
Address: 〒105-0004 2-15-5 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: JR "Shimbashi Station "about 2 min. walk from the station.
Phone number: 03-3591-7865

Zojoji Temple is a temple of the Jodo sect with a hall in Minato Ward, Tokyo. It is said to have been founded in 1393 during the Muromachi period (1392-1573) by Priest Yuho Shoso. In the Edo period (1603-1867), the temple became a family temple of the Tokugawa family, and six of the 15 shoguns, Hidetada, Ienobu, Ietsugu, Ieshige, Iekei, and Ieshige, are buried in the temple grounds. The number of red seals distributed at Zojoji Temple, including those for limited periods, limited months, and limited dates, is said to be as many as 30 in a year. There are also red seal booths in the Angokuden Hall and on the first basement floor of the Main Hall. At the Ankoku-den, visitors can obtain red seals with the inscriptions of the Black Buddha, Namu Amidabutsu, Amida Nyorai, and Saiyuki Sho-Kanzeon Bosatsu throughout the year.

"Basic Information "
Address: 4-7-35 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011
Access: 3 min. walk from Toei Subway "Onarimon Station "or "Shibakoen Station "
Phone number: 03-3432-1431

Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine is located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is said to date back to 1063, when Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, the second generation of the Kawachi Minamoto clan based in Kawachi Province, invited the shrine to Tsuruoka Wakamiya. Since then, the shrine has been the guardian deity of the Minamoto clan and the Kamakura warriors. In the Kamakura period (1185-1333), Minamoto no Yoritomo built the shrine and other facilities that served as the center of the shogunate. At the red seal station in front of the Wakamiya Shrine, visitors can receive a red seal inscribed with the characters "Soshu Kamakura Zhenza" along with the sacred seal.

"Basic Information "
Address: 2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa 248-8588
Access: JR "Kamakura station ", 10 min. walk from the station.
Phone number: 0467-22-0315

Kikuna Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kohoku-ku, Yokohama. In the Kikuna area, five village shrines had been worshipped by the local people until the early Showa period (1926-1989), and in 1935, the five shrines were enshrined together to form Kikuna Shrine. The four pillars supporting the handbasin installed in the shrine precincts are stone statues of demons, nicknamed "Gaman-sama ( "). In addition to the regular red seals, Kikuna Shrine distributes red seals with unique designs, such as those for the annual festival, summer pilgrimage, fireworks, good luck, good health, and commemorating the renovation of the shrine's water fountain. Each of the red seals shows "the figure of Manzama ".

"Basic Information "
Address: 6-5-14 Kikuna, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 222-0011
Access: JR Yokohama Line and Tokyu Toyoko Line "Kikuna Station "about 3 minutes on foot
Phone number: 045-431-9344

Hikawa Shrine is located in Omiya-ku, Saitama City, and is the head shrine of approximately 280 Hikawa shrines in the Kanto region. According to the shrine chronicle, it was founded more than 2,000 years ago, during the reign of the 5th Emperor Takaaki. In 1868, the first year of the Meiji era (1868-1868), the shrine was designated by Emperor Meiji as a shrine for the protection of Musashi Province. In addition to the regular red seals distributed throughout the year, Hikawa Shrine offers a series of seasonal designs. In addition to the regular red seals distributed throughout the year, Hikawa Shrine also offers a series of red seals featuring cherry blossoms in spring, fireflies and cogon grass in early summer, and autumn leaves in fall, which will make you want to visit the shrine again and again.

"Basic Information "
Address: 1-407 Takahana-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama 330-0803
Access: Approx. 15 min. walk from JR "Omiya Station "
Phone number: 048-641-0137

Kumano Shrine is located in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, and is said to have been commissioned from Kumano, Kishu, in 1590 by Nenyo Bun'o Sōjo, the second generation of Renkeiji Temple.In 2017, it became the setting for the anime "Tsuki ga Kirei "and has become a sacred place of pilgrimage. On the grounds "Musuhi no Niwa ", Yatagarasu (three-legged crow), who is believed to be the god of guidance, is enshrined. A wide variety of red seals are distributed throughout the year at Kumano Shrine. Looking at the list of special red seals such as Yatagarasu Special, Summer Pilgrimage Special, Amabie, and zodiac cutout red seals, you may want to get them all.

"Basic Information "
Address: 17-1 Renjaku-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama 350-0066
Access: 5 min. walk from Seibu Shinjuku Line "Honkawagoe Station "
Phone number: 049-225-4975

Sakuragi Shrine is located in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture. According to the shrine chronicle, the shrine was founded in 851 of the Heian period (794-1185) by Tsuguyoshi Fujiwara, a descendant of Kamatatsuki Fujiwara, who was active in the Taika Reformation. Every year in early spring, the weeping cherry tree by the Otorii Gate and the Miyabizakura cherry tree in front of the main gate bring seasonal color to the shrine, and the 753 cherry trees on the grounds bloom in spring and fall, making it one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots. The red seal in full bloom of sakura distributed during the "Cherry Blossom Day Mairi ", which is usually held from March 9 to 29 each year, is highly praised by collectors. A variety of other red seals are prepared for each season.

"Basic Information "
Address: 210 Sakuradai, Noda-shi, Chiba 278-0032
Access: Tobu Urban Park Line "About 10 minutes walk from Nodashi Station "
Phone number: 04-7121-0001

Kikuta Shrine is located in Narashino City, Chiba Prefecture. According to ancient legend, the shrine was founded in the 810s during the Heian period. The shrine grounds are decorated with expressive guardian dogs, including those on both sides of the approach connecting the shrine and the torii gate. Some of them are even nicknamed "Aine Komainu ", reminiscent of comedian Ken Shimura's bakadono appearance. The unique appearance of the komainu also appears on the red seals, which are designed on a monthly basis.

"Basic Information "
Address: 3-2-5, Tsudanuma, Narashino-shi, Chiba 275-0016
Access: 3 minutes on foot from "Tsudanuma Station "on the Keisei Electric Railway line.
Phone number: 047-472-4125

Atsuta Jingu is a Shinto shrine located in Nagoya City. It is said to have been founded in the year 113, when Emperor Keiko ruled the world, a little over 1,900 years ago. It is said that Susanowo-no-mikoto enshrined the Kusanagi Sword (Ama-no-Murakumo Sword), one of the three sacred weapons that appeared from the tail of the Yamata-no-orochi when he killed it, at Atsuta. Not only is the Kusanagi Sword the sacred object of the shrine, but the Treasure House and Kusanagi Hall, located within the shrine grounds, display and exhibit the many swords that have been dedicated to the shrine over the ages. The red seal, distributed at the awarding office southeast of the main shrine, is a simple, classic design without unnecessary ornamentation, with only the sacred seal of the shrine's name stamped in the center of the paper.

"Basic Information "
Address: 1-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 456-8585, Japan
Access: Meitetsu "Jingumae station "about 3 min. walk
Phone number: 052-671-4151

Izuyama Shrine is located in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Although it is not known exactly when the shrine was founded, it is estimated to have been built between the 5th and 4th centuries BC. In the late Heian period (794-1185), Minamoto no Yoritomo, who was exiled to Izu after the Heiji Disturbance, is said to have prayed for the revival of the Minamoto clan. The shrine is also said to have been the meeting place of Hojo Masako, and a stone on which the two women sat can still be seen in the shrine grounds. In addition to the smartly designed red seals with the company seal and the seal of Kanpachishu Soujingo, a special limited edition seal featuring Minamoto no Yoritomo and Hojo no Masako is also available.

"Basic Information "
Address: 708-1 Izuyama, Atami, Shizuoka, 413-0002, Japan
Access: Take a local bus from JR "Atami Station ", get off at "Izuyama Jinja-mae stop ", about 7 minutes walk.
Phone number: 0557-80-3164

Kawanakajima Kosenba Hachiman Shrine is located in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. The area surrounding the shrine grounds is Kawanakajima, where Shingen Takeda and Kenshin Uesugi fought to the death five times over a period of about 12 years during the Warring States Period. A bronze statue of Kenshin, wearing a white hood, slashing at Shingen from horseback as he sat on a stool, is located to the southwest of the main shrine. The red seals distributed at the shrine office to the east of the main hall feature designs of two warriors from the Warring States period. Each red seal exudes an air of power and a sense of devilishness.

"Basic Information "
Address: 1362-1 Kojimada-cho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, 381-2212
Access: JR "Take a local bus from Nagano station ", get off at "Kawanakajima Kosenjo stop "
Phone number: 090-2448-9744

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is located in Kita-ku, Osaka City and is nicknamed "Tenma no Tenjin-san ". The origin of the shrine is said to be that when Emperor Koutoku built the Naniwanomiya Palace in 650, he built the Daishogun Shrine as a guardian deity. It is said that he prayed for the safety of his travelers at the Daishogun Shrine. A variety of red seals are available at the awarding office located southeast of the main hall. The regular red seal, with Osaka Tenmangu Shrine written in ink in the center of the paper, has a simple design with the characters "Osaka "superimposed on a ume (plum) shrine crest and the characters "Tenmangu Shrine "superimposed on a shrine seal. Other attractive red seals are those with the four corners bordered in blue or red, the axe chrysanthemum crest of the shrine crest at the top, and a weeping plum tree in seven colors.

"Basic Information "
Address: 2-1-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0041
Access: Osaka Metro "Minamimorimachi Station "soon
Phone number: 06-6353-0025

Rohten Shrine is a shrine nicknamed "Ohatsu Tenjin "in Kita-ku, Osaka City. According to shrine legend, the shrine was founded around 701, and in 1703, in the Tenjin no Mori forest behind the shrine grounds, Ohatsu, a prostitute at Tenmaya in Dojima Shinchi, and Tokubei, the handmaiden at Hiranoya in Uchihonmachi, committed adultery, vowing to be married in the next life. Their tragic love was depicted by Monzaemon Chikamatsu in his puppet play "Sonezakishinju ". Today, a bronze statue of Ohatsu and Tokubei cuddling has been installed in the precincts of the shrine, making it a sacred place for lovers and a power spot for those who wish for the fulfillment of their love. A variety of red seals depicting Hatsu and Tokubei are available at the awarding office facing the main shrine.

"Basic Information "
Address: 2-5-4 Sonezaki, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0057
Access: 5 min. walk from Osaka Metro "Higashi-Umeda Station "
Phone number: 06-6311-0895

Todaiji Temple is the main temple of the Kegon sect of Buddhism, with its halls located in Nara City. It was built by Emperor Shomu in the Nara period (710-794) with all the national resources at his disposal. The main statue of Rushanabutsu, the Great Buddha, was built in the Daibutsuden Hall and is nicknamed "Nara no Daibutsu-san ". The statue is truly a great Buddha, with a height of about 14.98 meters, a lotus seat height of about 3 meters, a face length of about 4.13 meters, and a face width of about 3.2 meters. Although a great number of monasteries have been built on the temple grounds, red seals with the characters "Kegon "are distributed in the Daibutsuden and "Kannonryoku "are distributed in the Nigatsudo. Both of these seals are written in thick lines, and the characters seem to be filled with immeasurable power.

"Basic Information "
Address: 406-1 Zoshi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8587, Japan
Access: JR/Kintetsu: "Take a city circulation bus from Nara Station ", get off at "Todaiji Daibutsuden/Kasuga Taisha-mae stop ", 5 min. walk
Phone number: 0742-22-5511

Kasuga-taisha Shrine is located in Nara City and is the headquarters of around 1,000 Kasuga shrines throughout Japan. It is said to have been founded in 768 during the Nara period (768-794) as a prayer for the protection of the Heijo-kyo Capital and the prosperity of the people. Takemikazuchi no Mikoto, the main deity enshrined at the shrine, is said to have come riding on a white deer, which is why the shrine uses deer as its messengers. Even today, countless numbers of deer roam free in the shrine grounds. At the awarding station to the south of the main shrine, visitors can obtain a very simple red seal with the words "Doboku" (dedication), the name of the shrine, and the date of the visit.

"Basic Information "
Address: 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8212
Access: JR/Kintetsu "Take a local bus from Nara Station ", get off at "Kasuga Taisha Hon-den stop "
Phone number: 0742-22-7788

Ikuta Shrine is located in the shopping district of Sannomiya in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. The origin of the shrine is described in "The Chronicles of Japan ". It is said that the shrine was founded in 201 when Empress Jingu enshrined Wakahirume-no-Mikoto in accordance with an oracle when her ship was unable to proceed off the coast of To Port on its way back from a triumphant expedition to Japan from the Three Korean States. In 2007, the wedding of actress Kika Fujiwara and comedian Tomonori Jinnai attracted much attention. A variety of red seals are available at the red seal desk located on the first floor of the shrine office to the west of the hall of worship. "In addition to the regular red seals with the characters "Ikuta Shrine "" and " "Benzaiten "" written in easy-to-read typefaces, there are also a number of limited-time-only seals available.

"Basic Information "
Address: 1-2-1 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 650-0011
Access: JR "Sannomiya Station ", 10 min. walk
Phone number: 078-321-3851

In this article, we have introduced red seals of 18 temples and shrines. Each of the red seals is full of originality and will serve as a memorial to your visit to the temple.