Another Way To Enjoy Train Travels In Japan, Stamp Collecting

I have been writing about Japanese trains lately, and there is another way to enjoy train trips. Yes, precisely, it wouldn't be a way to enjoy trips you can go by trains, it is an activity you would go out for train trips. 

Actually many of Japanese train stations have a stamp with their original design, just same as commemorative stamps at famous sightseeing spots. For example, JR-east train company, which is one of the major train companies in Eastern Japan, has their original stamps at 77 stations in the Greater Tokyo area and they are encouraging people to collect all stamps as an activity for leisure-time. 

The stamps have different designs at each station and the design shows some famous landmark spots near the station or famous historical things in the neighborhood. So, people can see what is famous in the area as they collect these stamps. The photos above shows the stamp at Ochanomizu Station on JR Chuo Line. The design has Yushima-seido (Yushima Shrine of Confucius) and Nikorai-do (Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Tokyo)  which are both famous tourist spots around the station.

Collecting these kind of special stamps along train lines is in fact a popular activity in Japan. Then you can find notes for these stamp collection, moreover there is a special notes made for the 77 stamps at JR stations. Apparently the notes include train maps and sightseeing guide about the neighborhood of each stamp station. Since people have to get off at each stamp station and go out from the ticket gate to gain the stamp, it would be nice to look around the neighborhood in addition. Thus it is a kind of excursion to enjoy train travels.

What's more, some of these collecting-stamps-activities are especially called "Stamp Rally", and they are more popular. With the "Stamp Rally" activities people can get some special novelties when they completed the stamp collection. Then they are often associated with popular TV programs or game characters. For example, "Pokemon Stamp Rally" is one of the popular Stamp Rally activities which take place during vacation season every year. People (mainly kids) can gain various kinds of Pokemon characters' stamp at each station. To collect all kinds of Pokemon stamps and get the novelty, many kids are absorbed in it every year.

By the way, you might worry if the activities will be very expensive since you need to get out of the ticket gate every time you get stamps. Please don't worry, there is a special train pass for these kind of trips. In Tokyo area, JR-east train company provide "Tokunai pass" which you can get off each station inside of Tokyo 23 wards and "Kyujitu-odekake pass" which you can use as same in larger area on weekends, national holidays and summer and winter vacation season.

Some say these are a gimmick to make people stick with train trips, but still it is fun and many kids enjoy it whole day without getting bored, then it can be a good way to learn how to use the complicated train network in Tokyo area!