This article was produced by National Geographic Traveler (UK).
Now, ubiquitous of 9,000 stations in Japan, the first EKI stamp was issued at Fukushima Station near the coast of Japan in 1931, and Stationmaster Kanichi Tominaga encountered the idea of commemorative stamps after having casual conversations with employees. After installation, the stamp (including images of the important nearby SōtōZen Temple’s Eiheiji) became a local attraction.
Fast forward to the 1970s, when the Osaka World’s Fair triggered a surge in domestic travel in Japan. Families are encouraged to explore Japan through railways, and at large stations, through the Japan National Railway (JNR) network (now known as JR or Japan Railways), the newly installed “Discover Japan” EKI stamps were collected. By the 1980s, the passenger boom had ended and the increasing financial difficulties of JNR prompted them to promote a second wave of EKI stamps, part of their My Journey campaign, which focused on regional charm and off-the-scenes.
However, the origin of collecting seals or stamps in Japan may date back to 800 years, and pilgrims collected “stamps” (Nokyoin) Replicated Buddhist scriptures for the temples they provide to them to visit. In the 1930s, ink with handwritten calligraphy was called goshuin and collected in a book similar to a hexagonal piano Goshuincho, As a record of pilgrimage and merit accumulation. goshuin Popular among modern pilgrims and travelers, it is still available for a small fee at designated stalls in temples and shrines.
Usually available in auspicious vermilion ink goshuin The temple seals of EKI stamps are unique to their site. Usually the circular position name is around the position name, its design has landmarks, Japanese characters and meibutsu (Local professional) gives them a clear Japanese feeling. For example, the Eki stamp located at the Ryōgoku station in Tokyo features sumo wrestlers, reflecting the community’s 1,500-year-old connection to the national sports. Meanwhile, the stamp of New Cooton, the world’s busiest station (with nearly 3 million commuters provided by daily commuters) combines images of the skyscrapers when it exits to its western exit, as well as a quirky portrayal of Edo Tokyo’s local heirloom peppers Naito Togarashi. Stamps are available at JR and private train stations as well as many tourist attractions throughout Japan.
“Train is the best way to go around Japan and collecting Eki stamps is something everyone can do,” said Inside Archie Peters, Japan Travel. “I started collecting Eki stamps Washington The notebook and it grows from there. Part of the fun is finding stamps at the station, but it also allows you to review it. ”
How to collect Eki stamps?
EKI stamps are collected for free. You only need some paper or notebook – Japan has a lot of cute stationery to choose from. Some stations offer paper, and even offer beautiful stamp cards, or you can buy a dedicated EKI stamp notebook at certain station stores. Find stamps and ink pads to impress your book. Pedators are usually marked on them to indicate the top, but it is worth the test table first. Some are self-interconnected, but often find old wooden stereotype stamps and good ink pads to create a faint impression. To be sure, you can carry your own ink pad – but don’t use it if the ink doesn’t match. Note the stamp location and date so you can remember later. The railway museum in Saitama occasionally holds exhibitions, including replicas of past radio stamps that visitors can use, while the Tokyo Metro Museum has nine original stamps – each subway.
EKI stamps are usually found outside the main sales door of the station. Photos of Kate Crockett
Most designs have a combination of landmarks, Japanese characters and Meibutsu (local profession). Japanese photography
Where can I find Eki stamps?
EKI stamps are usually outside the main ticket gate of the station or at Midori-No-MadoguchMe (ticket counter). Sometimes you will find one inside the obstacle in the station master window or behind the counter. In Tokyo alone, JR East has 78 station stamps, and more can be found in private line stations and in Tokyo Metropolitan Metro. In Tokyo’s largest TV stations (Crescent Moon, Spring, ikebukuro and Tokyo), it’s worth mentioning or searching online in advance. If you can’t find the stamp, please ask ‘eki Sutampu wa arimasuka?‘, meaning “Are there any station stamps?”
What is a stamp assembly?
Japan Railways often hold limited and durable stamp gatherings, which can collect special stamps in special stamp collection brochures or cards at designated stations. Activities often feature nostalgic stamp designs and are often awarded for completing prizes. JR Central recently hosted a rally to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Tokaido Shinkansen, and one of the most popular events is JR East’s annual Pokémon Stamp Rally.
What stamps are you most pursuing?
Each EKI stamp is unique, but some are particularly striking, such as the stamp from the Gion-Shijo station in Kyoto, which houses the Miyajimaguchi station in Geisha or Hiroshima, which depicts floating Tori The gate of it ukusushima Shrine is one of the top tourist attractions in Japan. Hiroshima’s station stamp was designed in 2008 and shows the A-bomb dome and monument in the Peace Memorial Park, where pigeons fly overhead. Saitama’s Kuki Station’s stamps are in shape Qiao Qin lanterns, and Kamakura’s is the great Buddha of the 13th century. The iconic Shinkansen featured on many stamps including Akita’s, which appears alongside its eponymous Komachi Rice. As the birthplace of the Japanese Railways, the stamps of New Bashi’s former station building and the image of the steam locomotive in SL Square reflects its legacy. The Nobeyama stamp on Nagano’s Koumi line is located at the highest elevation station on the JR Group network, at 4,413 feet.
What about digital stamps?
Digital stamps are becoming more common, with JR East leading radio stamps to digitize using Ekitag, an app (currently only used in Japanese) that allows users to collect digital stamps by scanning Ekitag touchpoints (NFC tags) using their smartphones. Stamps are collected in digital “books” and users can add stamps to photos. Ekitag can be found in 1,235 TV stations in Japan, including unmanned stations, making it easy to collect.
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