{"id":18005,"date":"2023-08-01T12:30:29","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T10:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?p=18005"},"modified":"2023-08-01T12:52:24","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T10:52:24","slug":"eki-train-stamps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/eki-train-stamps","title":{"rendered":"Collecting Eki Stamps: A Fun Japanese Railway Quest"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Imagine embarking on a journey across Japan with your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/\">Japan Rail Pass<\/a>, not just to explore the diverse landscapes and rich culture, but to uncover<strong> a unique tradition: collecting eki train stamps.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This custom offers <strong>a special way to document your travels<\/strong> and engage with the Japanese railway system. Below, we delve into everything you need to know about this fun pastime.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#What_are_the_stamps_at_Japanese_train_stations\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> What are the stamps at Japanese train stations?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_to_get_train_stamps_in_Japan\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> How to get train stamps in Japan?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_size_is_the_Eki_stamp_book\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> What size is the Eki stamp book?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Do_all_train_stations_in_Japan_have_stamps_Does_Tokyo_station\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> Do all train stations in Japan have stamps? Does Tokyo station?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"What_are_the_stamps_at_Japanese_train_stations\">What are the stamps at Japanese train stations?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Eki stamps, found at train stations across Japan, are not mere imprints on paper. These stamps are <strong>beautifully designed and unique to each station<\/strong>. They often offer a snapshot of the locale&#8217;s character or key landmarks.<\/p>\n<p>Eki stamps were <strong>first introduced in 1931 <\/strong>at Fukui train station. The aim was to encourage local tourism, particularly among young people, but has since spread to a widespread tradition.<\/p>\n<p>Collecting Japan train stamps has become <strong>a quest to gather as many unique &#8216;signatures&#8217; <\/strong>from different stations. Although, because, there are over 9,000 train stations across Japan, this is quite an endeavor!<\/p>\n<p>Some locations also release<strong> limited edition and seasonal stamps<\/strong> at different times of the year. What\u2019s more, JR East holds an annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/pokemon-with-you-train\">Pok\u00e9mon-themed<\/a>-stamp rally in July\/August. There are 6 special Pok\u00e9mon stamps available, and you get a prize if you catch &#8217;em all!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n            <a class=\"fasc-button banner-button-shortcode fasc-size-large fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium ico-fa fasc-ico-after fa-chevron-circle-right fasc-style-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">\n                Buy your JR Pass\n            <\/a>\n        <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"How_to_get_train_stamps_in_Japan\">How to get train stamps in Japan?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Getting eki stamps is easy and fun. Most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/japan-train-stations\">train stations in Japan<\/a>, particulaly JR (Japan Rail) stations, have <strong>stamp stations\u2014usually near the ticket gates<\/strong>, station master&#8217;s office, or waiting areas.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll find a<strong> desk or counter with a stamp pad<\/strong> and the station&#8217;s unique stamp. Just open your eki stamp book, press it on the inked pad, and you&#8217;ve got yourself a memento of your visit.<\/p>\n<p>If you have difficulty finding the stamp station, don&#8217;t hesitate to <strong>ask the friendly station staff for assistance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18016\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18016\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-18016\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/owakudani-ropeway-stamp-hakone-800x533.jpg\" alt=\" Collectible rubber ink stamp, called Eki Stamp, at Owakudani, a ropeway station at the top of mountain in Hakone, Japan.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18016\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Owakudani ropeway station in Hakone, also has its own stamp that you can collect at the top of the mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"What_size_is_the_Eki_stamp_book\">What size is the Eki stamp book?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Eki stamp books come in a variety of sizes, but the most common one is <strong>about the size of a passport<\/strong> <strong>and contains around 50 pages. <\/strong>These books typically have thick pages to prevent the ink from seeping through.<\/p>\n<p>They are <strong>available for purchase in major bookstores in Japan,<\/strong> often in the Foreign Book section, as well as online. They typically cost around \u00a5650.<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t feel like splashing out for an eki stamp book, you can just use any notebook or even surface that you like. Additionally, <strong>most eki counters also have a stack of loose papers<\/strong> available for stamping if you don\u2019t have anything else at hand.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18021\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/eki-stamp-book-534x800.jpg\" alt=\"Eki stamp book cover\" width=\"350\" height=\"525\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Do_all_train_stations_in_Japan_have_stamps_Does_Tokyo_station\">Do all train stations in Japan have stamps? Does Tokyo station?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The majority of train stations in Japan, including small rural stops and bustling city hubs, have their <strong>unique eki stamps<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/tokyo-train-station\">Tokyo station,<\/a> as a central hub and a symbol of the city&#8217;s energy and history, indeed has its own eki stamp.<\/p>\n<p>Its design beautifully encapsulates the station&#8217;s iconic red brick fa\u00e7ade. Each stamp is an artistic representation of the station&#8217;s character, so <strong>Tokyo&#8217;s stamp is as grand and distinctive as the station <\/strong>itself!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18006 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/tokyo-station-eki-stamp-e1690885243297.jpg\" alt=\"Stations under the JR East Tokyo Branch, such as Tokyo Station, were renovated in 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/tokyo-station-eki-stamp-e1690885243297.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/tokyo-station-eki-stamp-e1690885243297-300x278.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Collecting eki stamps is more than a fun pastime; it&#8217;s<strong> a unique way to connect with Japan&#8217;s culture<\/strong> and history. Each stamp represents a piece of the country&#8217;s vast railway network, linking the snowy peaks of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/hokkaido\">Hokkaido<\/a> to the tropical beaches of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/okinawa-travel-guide\">Okinawa<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>So, as you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/japan-travel-info\">journey across Japan<\/a>, <strong>take a moment at each station to seek out its eki <\/strong>stamp. It&#8217;s a tangible, entertaining way to document your travels and keep the memories of your adventures alive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Imagine embarking on a journey across Japan with your Japan Rail Pass, not just to explore the diverse landscapes and rich culture, but to uncover a unique tradition: collecting eki train stamps. This custom offers a special way to document your travels and engage with the Japanese railway system. Below, we delve into everything you need to know about this fun pastime.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18011,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"acf":{"pageresume":"Imagine embarking on a journey across Japan with your Japan Rail Pass, not just to explore the diverse landscapes and rich culture, but to uncover a unique tradition: collecting eki train stamps.","bread_1":false,"bread_2":false,"bread_3":false,"bread_4":false,"bread_5":false,"bread_6":false,"bread_7":false,"bread_last":false,"custom_guide":"","shortcodes":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Collecting Eki Stamps: A Fun Japanese Railway Quest | JRailPass<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the unique world of eki stamps at Japanese train stations. 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