Stamp Rallies in Japan: Collecting Station and Landmark Stamps

Free ink stamps at train stations, roadside stops and sights turn an ordinary trip into a pocket-sized scrapbook of places.

Published October 26, 2026 at 9:44 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Eki stamps are free rubber stamps set out at many Japanese train stations, usually showing a local landmark. Bring a notebook, find the stamp stand (often just outside the ticket gates), and press the stamp in ink. Stamp rallies are themed, time-limited events built on the same idea, where visitors collect stamps at several sites for a small prize or simply for fun.

Walk through almost any Japanese station and you may spot a small wooden stand with an ink pad and a stamp bearing a picture of a castle, a bridge or a mascot. These are eki stamps, and collecting them is a gentle hobby that turns each stop into a keepsake. A related tradition, the stamp rally, builds a whole trip around a list of stamps. This guide explains where the custom comes from, how to find and use the stamps, how rallies work, and how to make a collection tidy and meaningful without turning travel into a chore.

What an eki stamp is

Eki sutanpu, or station stamps, are free collectible stamps found at many stations across Japan. According to Wikipedia, the first one is recorded in 1931 at a station in Fukui, and the custom spread to major stations afterward. Designs usually feature something tied to the city or surrounding area, such as landmarks, mascots or local products, so each stamp works as a miniature souvenir.

National Geographic notes later waves of interest in the 1970s around the Osaka World Expo and in the 1980s during a Japanese National Railways travel campaign. Some writers suggest the idea was inspired by the temple and shrine seals that pilgrims collected, though the exact origin is not firmly documented. Either way, the habit became a familiar part of rail travel.

Where to find the stamps

Stamps are most often outside the main ticket gate or near the ticket counter, and occasionally inside the gates or at the station master's window. At large stations such as Shinjuku or Shibuya they can take a moment to find, so a quick look at a station map or a search before your trip helps. Stamps also appear at airports, ports, tourist information centers, roadside stations called michi no eki, and highway service areas, though these are technically similar rather than classic eki stamps.

If you cannot find one, ask a staff member. A simple phrase is eki sutanpu wa arimasu ka, meaning is there a station stamp, and a gesture usually does the rest. Staff are used to the question and often point you to the spot.

What to bring

A notebook or sheet of paper is all you need. Some stations provide paper or stamp cards, and some station shops sell notebooks made for the purpose. Any stationery works, from a plain sketchbook to a handmade washi paper journal.

Many stamps use red or vermilion ink, and some wooden stamps are worn from heavy use, so an impression can come out faint. Press firmly and evenly, lift straight up, and let the ink dry before closing the book. Some people carry their own ink pad, but National Geographic advises against using it if the color does not match the stamp. A test sheet before stamping the notebook helps you check the direction, since a small mark often shows which way is up.

The 2020 station stamp redesign

In 2020, JR East redesigned the stamps at 78 stations in central Tokyo across 11 lines, the first update in 17 years, according to Spoon and Tamago. Each design features a single kanji from the station name, inspired by Japanese family crests, with symbols of local landmarks woven in. The stamp at Tokyo Station uses the character for east with an illustration of the restored station building, and the stamp at Nippori uses a character with a cat, a nod to the neighborhood's stray cats. English names are included in a corner to be friendlier to visitors.

Tokyo is a good place to start because many stations are close together on the Yamanote Line, which makes it easy to pick up several in a morning. Elsewhere in Japan, local stations may have simpler stamps, but they often carry a charm of their own.

How stamp rallies work

A stamp rally is a themed, time-limited event in which participants collect stamps at several places. The term is wasei eigo, or Japanese-made English. Rallies follow a list of stations, rest areas, museums, zoos, shopping centers or tourist spots, and organizers can be railway companies, chain stores, local tourism associations or travel agencies.

Rallies descend from the popularity of eki stamps and from temple and shrine seals. Some stamps are layered so that you must visit every location to see all the colors of a multi-color design, a format called kasane-oshi. Prizes vary and can be souvenirs, certificates or limited-edition cards, though some people join just for the pleasure of the hunt.

Famous rallies and themes

JR East's Pokemon rally has run most summers since 1997, mainly in the Tokyo area, according to Wikipedia. Seibu Railway, JR West, Nagoya Railroad and Tokyo Metro have also run rallies, often linked to anime or local mascots. Roadside stations organize their own, such as a Hokkaido rally in 2023 and 2024 that involved 127 stations.

Because rallies are limited in time and details change, check the organizer's website and rules before starting. Some require a transport IC card, and some give prizes only at designated stations.

Landmarks beyond stations

Many sights run their own stamps. Castles, museums, zoos and visitor centers often keep a stamp near the entrance, and a landmark stamp is a pleasant way to mark a visit. The Japanese Castle Association chose 100 Fine Castles of Japan in 2006, and the list is often used as a travel guide for castle lovers.

Temple and shrine seals, called goshuin, are a related but separate custom, usually handwritten and collected in a special book for a small fee. Many travelers keep separate notebooks for eki stamps and goshuin to keep each tidy.

Making a collection you will enjoy

Write the date and station name next to each impression, and add a ticket or a pressed leaf if you wish. A single notebook per trip works well, and sorting by line or region can make a pleasing layout. If you travel with children, a stamp hunt turns a long train ride into a game.

Do not rush: the stamps are meant to enhance the journey, not dictate it. Stations are busy places, so step aside to stamp and be quick if a queue forms. A few well-chosen stamps from places that mattered often mean more than a long checklist.

Practical notes

Staffed stations are likeliest to have stamps, so look there first, and check whether the stamp is inside or outside the ticket gates. Stamp stands can be moved or removed, and designs change, so treat any list as a guide. Bring a small pouch for your ink pad and pen, and keep the book flat in your bag.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Tokyo Info Guide is available on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are eki stamps free in Japan?

Yes. Eki stamps are free to use at stations, and you only need your own notebook or paper. Stations sometimes provide stamp cards, and some shops sell notebooks designed for collecting. Other stamps at tourist sites or rallies may have different rules, so check for notices.

Where are the stamps usually located in a station?

Most are outside the main ticket gate or near the ticket counter, and a few are inside the gates or at the station master's window. At large stations you may need to look around. If you cannot find one, ask staff with the phrase eki sutanpu wa arimasu ka.

What is the difference between an eki stamp and a stamp rally?

An eki stamp is a permanent station stamp available all year. A stamp rally is a themed event with a set list of locations and a limited period, often run by a railway company or local association. Rallies may offer prizes, while eki stamps are simply collected for memory.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Goshuin: Collecting Japan's Beautiful Temple and Shrine Stamps, Michi no Eki: Japan's Roadside Stations and Ekiben: Japan's Train Station Bento.