Eki stamp
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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]
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Tōkyō Station eki stamp stand -
Nippori Station eki stamp stand -
Former stamp stand at Nagoya Station
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Chen, Rou-jin (2018). 一個木匠和他的台灣博覽會. Taiwan: 麥田. p. 32. ISBN 9789863445074.
- ^ a b 白水, 忠隆. "番外編「スタンプラリーの研究」". Japan Science and Technology Agency (in Japanese).
- ^ a b c "Collecting Eki Stamps: A Fun Japanese Railway Quest". JRailPass. August 2023.
- ^ "The Design Nostalgia of Japan's Train Station Stamps". HYPERALLERGIC. January 6, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
- ^ "Hadirkan Stempel Stasiun Bercorak Budaya, MRT Jakarta Dukung Edukasi Pelanggan | MRT Jakarta". www.jakartamrt.co.id. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
External links
[edit]
- Collection of all eki stamps, organised by location and train operator