Importance Score: 60 / 100 🔵
Eki stamps, now a common sight at many of Japan’s 9,000 train stations, originated in 1931 at Fukui station, near the Sea of Japan. This unique Japanese tradition began when stationmaster Kanichi Tominaga, after conversing with staff, conceived the idea for a commemorative stamp. The inaugural stamp, featuring Eiheiji, a significant Soto Zen Buddhist temple in the vicinity, quickly gained popularity as a local attraction.
The Evolution of Eki Stamps
The 1970s witnessed a boom in domestic tourism in Japan, spurred by the Osaka World Expo. Families were encouraged to explore Japan by railway, gathering newly introduced ‘Discover Japan’ eki stamps at major stations across the Japan National Railways (JNR) network, presently known as JR, or Japan Railways. As the passenger boom subsided in the 1980s and JNR faced increasing financial challenges, a second wave of eki stamps was promoted as part of the ‘My Journey’ campaign. This initiative emphasized regional appeal and travel to lesser-known destinations.
Historical Roots in Pilgrimage
The custom of collecting seals in Japan may trace back 800 years to Buddhist pilgrims. These pilgrims accumulated ‘stamps’ (nokyoin) as proof of offering copied sutras to visited temples. By the 1930s, ink seals with calligraphic writing evolved into goshuin. These were assembled in a concertina-style book called a goshuincho, serving as a chronicle of pilgrimages and accumulated merit. Goshuin remain favored by contemporary pilgrims and travelers, obtainable for a nominal fee at designated locations within temples and shrines.
Distinctive Features of Eki Stamps
Eki stamps, often employing the auspicious vermillion ink akin to goshuin temple seals, are exclusive to their respective stations. Typically circular, with the station name encircling the design, they incorporate a blend of local landmarks, Japanese script, and meibutsu (regional specialties), imbuing them with a distinctly Japanese character. For instance, the eki stamp at Ryōgoku station in Tokyo showcases a sumo wrestler, symbolizing the area’s long-standing connection to sumo wrestling. Shinjuku station, the world’s busiest, serving nearly three million daily commuters, features skyscrapers from its West Exit alongside a representation of Naito togarashi, a heritage chilli pepper from Edo Tokyo. Stamps are available at JR and private railway stations, and numerous tourist sites throughout Japan.
Archie Peters, a passionate collector and travel consultant at InsideJapan Tours, remarks, “Rail travel is the premier way to navigate Japan, and collecting eki stamps is an accessible activity for everyone. My eki stamp collection began with a small washi notebook and has grown since. The enjoyment lies partly in discovering the stamps within stations, and they serve as wonderful keepsakes to reminisce over.”
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Collecting Eki Stamps: A Practical Guide
Collecting eki stamps is free of charge. All you need is paper or a notebook – and Japan offers a wide array of exquisite stationery. Some stations provide paper or attractive stamp cards; alternatively, dedicated eki stamp notebooks can be purchased at certain station shops. Locate the stamp and ink pad to create your impression. Stampers often have a marker indicating the top, but a preliminary test is advisable. While some are self-inking, many are traditional wooden stamps with frequently used ink pads, which can result in a lighter impression. For optimal results, consider carrying your own ink pad, ensuring the ink color is consistent. Note the stamp’s location and date for future reference. The Railway Museum in Saitama occasionally hosts exhibitions displaying replicas of historical station stamps for visitor use, and the Tokyo Metro Museum features nine original stamps, one for each subway line.
Finding Eki Stamps at Stations
Eki stamps are generally located outside the main ticket gates or at the Midori-no-Madoguchi (ticket office). Occasionally, they can be found inside ticket barriers or behind the counter at the station master’s office. JR East alone has 78 station stamps in Tokyo, with more available at private railway lines and Tokyo Metro stations. In major Tokyo stations like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Tokyo, it is recommended to inquire about the stamp’s location or search online beforehand. If you are unable to locate a stamp, simply ask ‘Eki sutampu wa arimasuka?’, meaning ‘Is there a station stamp?’.
Eki Stamp Rallies: Engaging Events
Japanese railway companies frequently organize limited-time stamp rallies. These events offer special stamps to be collected in specific booklets or cards at participating stations. These events often incorporate nostalgic stamp designs, and prizes are typically awarded upon completion. JR Central recently held a rally commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Tokaido Shinkansen, and JR East’s annual Pokémon stamp rally is another popular event.
Highly Sought-After Eki Stamp Designs
While each eki stamp is unique, certain designs are especially visually striking. Examples include Gion-Shijo station in Kyoto, featuring a geisha, and Miyajimaguchi station in Hiroshima, depicting the iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, a premier Japanese tourist attraction. Hiroshima station’s stamp, designed in 2008, showcases the A-Bomb Dome and the cenotaph in Peace Memorial Park with doves overhead. The stamp at Kuki station in Saitama is shaped like a chochin lantern, while Kamakura’s highlights the Great Buddha from the 13th century. The shinkansen bullet train is depicted on numerous stamps, including Akita’s, where it appears with Komachi rice, its namesake. Shinbashi, the birthplace of Japanese railways, reflects its history with an image of the former station building and the steam locomotive in SL Square. Nobeyama station, on the Koumi Line in Nagano, boasts the highest-altitude station on the JR Group network at 4,413 feet, and its stamp reflects this distinction.
Digital Eki Stamps: Embracing Technology
Digital stamps are gaining traction. JR East is pioneering the digitization of station stamps with EKITAG, an application (currently Japanese-language only) that allows users to collect digital stamps by scanning EKITAG touchpoints (NFC tags) with a smartphone. Stamps are compiled within the app in a digital ‘book,’ and users can integrate them into their photographs. EKITAG is deployed across 1,235 stations throughout Japan, including unmanned stations, making them readily accessible for collection.