Your Ultimate Guide to Starting An Eki Stamp Book in Japan

Eki Stamp hunting is such a fun thing to do in Japan. It almost feels like a sport! In fact, I can guarantee, once you start hunting them down, it very nearly turns into an obsession! Well, for us it did anyway.

And we were thoroughly surprised to return home and hear so many people had never even heard of them!

So, we’ve popped together this comprehensive guide explaining where you can find them, and where you can purchase an ski stamp book along with some tips and tricks to help you on your way.

First things first, what is an eki stamp and where can you find them? Let me explain!

Eki Stamps in Japan are super fun to collect!

Eki stamps can be found at train stations across Japan.

Beautifully designed and unique to each individual station, these gorgeous little eki stamps often showcase key landmarks within the area you are visiting.

And they act as a beautiful memento and reminder of your Japan trip. Trust me, you’ll take it out and treasure it when you get home.

That’s why you should….

NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT AN EKI STAMP BOOK

Eki stamps come in all different shapes and sizes. But the vast majority of them are the same size as a passport stamp. 

While you can use any type of book to collect them, there are special ones designed specifically for this. We’ll list a few places where you can purchase these from a little later on.

Now, here’s some exact locations to try during your eki stamp hunting: 

JAPAN EKI STAMP LOCATIONS 

  • Japan Rail West Kyoto Station: Before Underground East Exit & near Hachijo East Exit
  • Nara Station: Near ticketing machines
  • Osaka Station: Before Central Gate entrance
  • Akihabara Station: Opposite ticketing machines
  • Toriimae Station: Cat, dog and cake train station
  • Harajuku Station: Outside Omotesando exit
  • Shibuya Station: Inside JR ticket office
  • Tokyo Station: Before Marunouchi South Entrance
  • Shin-Osaka Station: Before the East exit
  • Universal City Station: Next to fare adjustment machine, before the exit
  • Shibuya Station: Located inside the JR Ticket Office 
  • Saitama Shintoshin Station: Near ticketing machines
  • Kyuhoji Station: Before the exit
  • Namba Station: Right next to fare adjustment machine before the exit
  • Uneo Station: Right outside the JR ticket office
Eki Stamp hunting is so much fun in Japan

OTHER SOUVENIR STAMP SPOTS

Katsuoji Temple in Osaka also has a truly unique progressive stamp

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Nagano Snow Monkey Park

Kanazawa Kenrokuen Garden

Kinkaku-ji Golden Castle, Kyoto

Toyusu Fish Market, Kyoto

Train stations

Some tourist trains have their own stamps on board

Subway stations 

Metro rail stations

Bus stations

Ferry ports

Airports

Museums, castles, and most tourist places

IMPORTANT POINTS FOR EKI STAMP HUNTERS

Ok, so we’ve been banging on about how you shouldn’t leave home without your eki stamp book, but where do you buy them from?

We’ve done the hunting for you and added the link below of the exact book we used to collect eki stamps in this viral reel on Instagram!

* First things first, you’ll need a stamp passport or blank notebook that’s passport size – H124 x W89 x D4mm. Min 48 pages

* Eki Stamps (train stamps) are generally about 8/9cm by 8/9cm in size

* Loft & Kinokuniya stores in Japan usually stock them for under $6 USD

* Stamp books can also be bought at Haneda Airport: Itoya Haneda T3 Store, Kokuyodoors

* No book? No worries! You can ask for printed sheets to stamp, then stick them in your book later

* Popular locations: train stations, tourist info sites, airports & tourist attractions across Japan

* Keep an eye out for special ‘stamp rally’ events where a special stamp is available for a limited time

* If you can’t find Eki stamps, you might need to ask, they’re often kept behind the counter

* Take your own little ink pad, a lot of pads are dry. You can also ask staff to refresh it or pass you a new one

* Want to take it to the next level? Pop your stamps on canvas sketch paper, laminate, cut them out and stick them in a book. You can write the date and location beneath it

* Some people use their expired passports to collect stamps. Make sure it’s expired first though!

We bought our cute little Eki Stamp book on eBay here. Another alternative solution can be found here.

Happy hunting!