The San Marino Jinja Stamp: A Bridge Between Two Cultures

Like a delicate origami uniting two distant worlds, the commemorative stamp of San Marino Jinja tells a story of peace, memory and cultural connection between the world’s oldest Republic and the Land of the Rising Sun.

A Philatelic Tribute to Europe’s First Shinto Temple

Issued on June 5, 2018, this precious miniature sheet celebrates a unique place in the European landscape: the San Marino Jinja, the first and only official Shinto temple in Europe. The work of artist Dara Giardi captures the essence of this extraordinary monument through a 40×40 mm format, printed in four-color offset with a touch of refinement given by the invisible fluorescent yellow ink.

From Pain to Hope

The temple, inaugurated on June 22, 2014, was born as a spiritual bridge to honor the thousands of victims of the Great Tohoku Earthquake of March 11, 2011. The stamp, with a face value of €4.00 and a print run of 250,000 copies, immortalizes the characteristic elements of the sanctuary: the majestic white Torii, traditional entrance gate, and the Jinja, the intimate wooden shrine.

For enthusiasts of San Marino philately, this miniature sheet represents not only a precious collectible item but also a tangible testimony to the deep cultural bond between San Marino and Japan.

We invite you to discover this place of peace and reflection in person, where the stamp comes to life in the reality of the temple, creating a unique experience in the heart of the ancient Republic.

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