Collecting EKI Stamps in Japan

During our recent trip to Japan, we stumbled upon a hidden treasure hunt happening at almost every train station: the eki stamp. Picture this: you walk up to a wooden block, press it onto a page, and suddenly you have a vibrant, unique design capturing the soul of that specific town—from a local mascot to a famous landmark—all stamped in traditional red ink. It’s a quirky, free tradition that turns a simple commute into a fun little art project, and we had a blast collecting them.

Where did this start? It all began back in 1931 at Fukui Station, when a stationmaster named Kanichi Tominaga decided to give travelers a little memento of their journey. By the 1970s, the whole country had caught the bug, rolling out thousands of these stamps to encourage families to explore Japan by rail.

Each impression felt like a tiny, permanent memory of a place we stood and a train we took. Unlike a photo, a stamp feels like a little secret handshake with the station itself. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just dreaming of your first trip to Japan, collecting these little pieces of art is a low-pressure, delightful way to keep your travel memories alive.