Eki stamp

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. 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.

Some suggest eki stamps were inspired by the success of shuinchō stamp books. Eki stamps have existed since at least 1931, the first having been installed at a station in Fukui City. 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 and Indonesia.

Travelers may use their own notebooks or stamp books to collect these stamps, making it a pleasant way to document their journey. 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.

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