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An eki stamp (駅スタンプ, eki sutanpu, "station stamp") is a free, collectible, rubber ink stamp found at many train stations in Japan.[1] Their designs typically feature imagery emblematic of the station's associated city or surrounding area, such as landmarks, mascots, or locally produced goods. A time-limited event involving eki stamps pertaining to a specific theme, especially a collaboration with a product of Japanese popular culture, is called a stamp rally.[2]
Some[who?] suggest eki stamps were inspired by the success of shuinchō stamp books.[2]Eki stamps have existed since at least 1931, the first having been installed at a station in Fukui City.[3][4] Shortly thereafter, eki stamps were installed at major stations throughout Japan. In recent years, eki stamps have also spread outside to Japan to places such as Taiwan[citation needed] and Indonesia.[5]
Travelers may use their own notebooks or stamp books to collect these stamps, making it a pleasant way to document their journey.[3] Today, eki stamps exist at nearly all (typically staffed) train stations and many subway stations in Japan. While not technically eki stamps (as eki in Japanese means "[train] station"), similar stamps can also be found at other passenger points of boarding, such as airports, ports, visitor information and tourist centers, roadside stations, and highway service areas.[3]
