Guide to stamps in Japan: The easiest souvenir you’ll always love

A practical guide to collecting eki stamps at stations and goshuin at temples

Throughout our family of four’s multiple visits to Japan, one of our favorite souvenirs has been collecting stamps. They’re free to get, fun to find, take up no more space than a notebook they’re in, and will evoke stories and memories for years to come. In our free guide to stamps in Japan, we’re going to share:

• Practical tips to help you find and collect stamps, so they can become the easiest souvenir you’ll always love
• What stamps are
• The types of stamps and what makes them different
• Common and popular locations to find stamps
• How to find special stamps or stamp events happening when you visit Japan

Your Japanese cheat sheet for stamps in Japan

For starters, let’s go over a few of the Japanese words and phrases that we’ll use in this guide to stamps in Japan. They’ll also come in handy during your Japan trip:

• eki: eh-kee, or 駅, means “station”
• goshuin: go-shoo-een, or 御朱印, means “temple/shrine stamp”
•  goshuincho: go-shoo-een-choh, or 御朱印著, means “temple/shrine stamp book”

• eki sutampu wa arimasu ka?: eh-kee soo-tah-mm-poo wah ah-ree-mah-soo-kah, or 駅 スタンプ 和 あります か？, means “Is there a station stamp?”
• eki sutampu wa doko desu ka?, or eh-kee soo-tah-mm-poo wah doh-koh-deh-soo-kah, means, “Where is the station stamp?”
• otera: oh-teh-rah, or お寺, means “temple”
• jinja: jee-nn-jah, or 神社, means “shrine”
• michi-no-eki: mee-chee-noh-eh-kee, or 道ーノー駅, means “roadside station”
• sutampu raree: soo-tah-nn-poo-rah-ree, or スタンプラリー, means “stamp rally” (also look for meguri, 巡り – めぐり, or “tour”
• goshuin wa doko de moraemasu ka?: goh-shoo-ee-nn wah doh-koh moh-rah-eh-ma-soo-kah, or 御朱印 和 どこ で もらえます か？, which means “Where can I get a Japanese goshuin stamp?”
• arigatou gozaimasu: ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zy-mah-soo, or ありがとうございます, which means “thank you”

Hint: You don’t have to know Japanese to communicate any of the words or questions above. Today’s translation apps, such as Google Translate, do a solid job of translating into Japanese, especially from English. Often we’ll type what we want to say in English, then show our screen with the translated text to the person we’re talking with. A little gesturing can go a long way too, such as mimicking the movement of applying a stamp to paper.

Understanding stamps in Japan

In Japanese, “eki” (eh-kee, or 駅) means “station.” Saying “eki stamps” has become a catchall phrase to mean collecting souvenir stamps throughout Japan.

There’s more nuance to it, though. A few bits of etiquette are important to keep in mind too, especially when collecting goshuin (go-shoo-een, or 御朱印), or temple/shrine stamps. We’ll go over all of that below.

What are stamps in Japan and why collect them?

Stamps are free souvenirs available to both locals and visitors to Japan. Stamps are typically inked onto a piece of paper, and the design might include an image (such as a train or an iconic local landmark) and the place’s name in Japanese, English, or both.

The roots of stamps go back centuries, to at least the 1200s. Buddhist pilgrims would visit temples as part of their pilgrimage. Stamps became a way to show where they’d gone, as well as serve as a blessing.

In the 20^th century, stamps became a popular, free, and lightweight way for people to have a little something to show for going through train stations or attending events.

Now, we Japan visitors in the 21^st century can find stamps all over the country. They are an ideal travel collectible or souvenir:

• Stamps are free (except for temple stamps)
• Lightweight and compact, they take up no space other than the paper they’re stamped on
• Your stamp journal becomes a custom souvenir that will evoke memories of your Japan trip for years to come

As I write this, we’re currently away from Japan. Our latest stamp journal is on the shelf in my and Jodie’s room. Thinking about this guide, I took down the journal and started flipping through it. 

Stamps from Osaka immediately bring back memories, such as the Osaka Namba U-Arts store, where we got awesome drawing pencils for Connor, watercolor brushes for Jodie, and cat stickers for Aster.

A multi-stage red, blue, and white stamp, called a stamp rally, commemorates our attending our first Danjiri Festival in Kishiwada, south of Sakai, where people from various neighborhoods pull and guide massive, ornately carved wooden floats.

Visitor centers. Shops. Museums. Even the Kansai Airport in Osaka, all have stamps. Just flipping through the pages brings back so many memories… not to mention an overwhelming rush of desire to get back to Japan as soon as possible.

Why stamps are so common and important throughout Japan

Our guide to stamps in Japan is going to go heavy on how to get the cool stamps, but we wanted to give a nod to the cool history from which stamps evolved into the forms and prevalence so beloved today.

The overall history of stamps goes back to around the 1200s

In 1931, Fukui stationmaster Kanichi Tominaga had an idea to install a free commemorative stamp for station visitors. The stamp’s image was the area’s iconic Sōtō Zen temple, Eiheiji. The idea of a free stamp that showcased the station and something about the area caught on.

Then, in the 1970s, people from throughout Japan were flocking to Osaka for the World Expo. Major stations installed “Discover Japan” eki stamps, so rail travelers could show the stations they passed through.

That history of commemoration, reminder, and souvenir has come together in the modern stamps we find throughout Japan today. There are even a growing number of digital stamps that make online sharing and journaling even easier.

Stamps and stamp rallies (or where you visit multiple locations to build out a stamp) can also become part of a reason to check out an area. During a visit to Tokyo in 2024, we used a Unicorn Gundam stamp rally as a side quest for exploring the Odaiba area.

Our stamp scavenger hunt culminated in an evening at the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, enjoying the food court, some well-earned treats from Mister Donut, and a visit to the One Piece Mugiwara Store—which had its own store stamp. Every time I look at that stamp, I’m taken back to those Tokyo Bay human-made islands, the waterfront path we wandered, views of the Rainbow Bridge, and the conversations we shared as a family out for a day’s sightseeing.

Station stamps (eki stamps): Your most accessible collectible souvenir

If you are starting your research on collecting stamps through Japan, you might hear these stamps collectively referred to as eki stamps or eki stampu. It’s a useful phrase, and it’s commonly known to mean stamps in general. Technically speaking, “eki stamps” specifically means train station stamps.

Some stamps have a rounded square or rectangle design. Most are circular. The design often includes Japanese and/or English text with an image, often of an iconic area landmark, a train or train station (with eki stamps especially), or a symbol or character mascot.

Flipping through our family’s souvenir stamp journals, here are just a few of the designs:

• Black cat from the Osaka Namba U-Arts store
• Profile of Kumamoto Castle on Kyushu
• Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece at a Mugiwara Store in Tokyo
• The famous Glico Man running image, Osaka’s Midosuji Station
• Combo of Kishiwada Castle and local citizens pulling a danjiri, or ornately carved wooden float, from Higashi-Kishiwada Station, south of Sakai in Osaka Prefecture

Just about anywhere you go in Japan, stamps are quick and easy to get. Designed with beauty and whimsy, they will also evoke memories of your Japan trip for years to come. They’re a perfect souvenir for families and other visitors to collect.

Check our Japan train tours

Temple stamps (goshuin): Sacred souvenirs with deeper meaning

Eki stamps broadly refer to any stamp. In casual usage, the phrase encompasses temple/shrine stamps, or goshuin. However, in practice, goshuin have a deeper meaning. Japanese culture considers them sacred.

Getting goshuin has a touch of etiquette. It’s nothing onerous, either. Goshuin are considered a sort of blessing. Here’s what to know about getting goshuin:

• Available at temples and shrines throughout Japan: There’s usually a small building off to the side of the main structure is where you can ask what’s available
• If going into a stamp book, goshuin need their own book, as they are considered sacred. The monk or attendant might not provide a stamp if you show that it’s going into the same book as your other stamps
• Goshuin usually cost ￥300-1000
• When goshuin are available, there’s often a pre-made version that’s around ￥500
• Hand-calligraphed stamps may be closer to ￥1000, and the monk may tell you to come back at a later time to pick it up, usually less than 30 minutes. During this time, the monk stamps the paper, then adds calligraphy

Regardless of your spirituality, goshuin add a special significance to visiting Japanese shrines and temples. We typically seek goshuin to support these iconic parts of Japan’s cultural life. 

Plus, goshuin are simply beautiful. They are a simple reminder to appreciate life and the beauty it holds. Whenever we look at goshuin we’ve received, we find we pause for a moment and slow down the day to be more appreciative.

The crucial difference: Why eki stamps and goshuin don’t mix

Remember: Eki stamps and goshuin aren’t intended to go in the same book.

Since goshuin are considered a blessing with sacred, spiritual significance, part of being a good guest in Japan is respecting that tradition.

Monks will usually give you a goshuin on its own paper. They typically won’t add a goshuin to a stamp book that has eki stamps or more casual mementos such as stickers or ticket stubs.

If goshuin are a priority for your time in Japan, consider carrying a separate book, known in practice as a goshuincho. This isn’t any particular type of notebook or stamp book. It’s merely a way to refer to a stamp book that’s exclusively for goshuin. However, some temples or shrines may have a goshuincho, especially for special stamps.

Finding and collecting stamps

You can find stamps at a range of eki stamp locations throughout Japan. Many stamps are available daily. They’ll either be out on a shelf or table, or you can ask an attendant or staff member for the stamp, and they’ll get it out for you.

Other stamps might be available for certain times of the year or special occasions. For example, Yokoku-ji Temple in Kyoto, Minatogawa Shrine in Hyogo, and Osaka’s Sukunahikona-jinja are just three examples of temples and shrines that offer special stamps available only on rainy days.

There’s always something special happening with Japanese stamps. So if your trip doesn’t coincide with one special stamp or stamp rally, fear not. Odds are another will happen during your visit to Japan.

How to collect eki stamps

Out of the approximately 9,000 train stations throughout Japan, most of them will have a station stamp. That’s especially the case for JR trains. Other lines vary (for example, in Osaka we often ride the Nankai Line, and those stations rarely have stamps).

Common locations include:

• Train stations, especially JR stations
• Airports
• Museums
• Castles
• Temples and shrines
• Visitor centers (also excellent resources for planning your sightseeing)
• Stores
• Roadside rest stops (michi-no-eki): usually inside the main shop, and often you’ll need to ask for it

At train stations, you’ll typically find stamps around the ticket gates. Some are on a shelf around the stationmaster’s window next to the ticket gates, or you can ask an attendant inside.

Stamps either are self-inking or have a separate ink pad there. Please don’t bring your own ink pad, as it’ll then change the stamp’s color for other people using it.

Finding stamps becomes a scavenger hunt for the whole family

As a family, we use stamps to engage our kids. We often ask them to seek a stamp, and sometimes they’ll ask the attendant where the stamp is. Giving kids that task not only helps them feel involved. It turns the stamp into a small quest, and asking for the stamp builds confidence, especially when asking in Japanese!

We’ve found this fun come out many times when seeking stamps. For a stamp rally (multi-location stamp) in Tokyo’s Odaiba area, we knew one stamp was somewhere around an administrative office in a park. But we could not find it.

We headed into the office and asked the staff where the stamp was. They directed us up a platform to a little alcove at an observation deck. We got to practice our Japanese. The kids helped search. And we got not only our stamp, but a lovely view out toward Tokyo Bay.

Special experiences: Stamp rallies and layered stamps

There are stamps. Then there are stamp rallies.

Most stamps are a one-and-done bit of inked beauty. Stamp rallies add to that. These can be layered stamps, where each station adds a new aspect or color to the overall stamp. Some are for collecting multiple stamps.

For example, Osaka’s Kishiwada area has a special annual festival called the Danjiri Matsuri. Over two days, citizens from various neighborhoods pull heavy, ornately carved wooden floats through the city’s streets. Part of the fun is a stamp rally, where visitors go to multiple locations around the parade area to find the next color of a layered stamp. The result? Beauty—and memories.

Stamp rallies often tie in with a special event, or they encourage people to visit multiple locations throughout an area. Others are ongoing.

Depending on the event, a stamp rally may require a specific stamp book, which usually costs a few hundred yen. Pre-cut stamp paper may be provided, as some rallies have a pre-set stamp size that only works with the right size of paper.

Digital stamps are emerging as a fun, paperless alternative. This is still more specialized, and as of this writing the EKITAG app that supports digital stamps is available only in Japanese.

How to collect goshuin

When collecting goshuin, remember a few simple bits of etiquette:

• Pray first, then request stamp
• Where to request: Look for signs such as goshuinjo 御朱印所, shuinjo 朱印所, nokyojo の巨女 for temples, or juyojo 授与所 or shamusho 社務所 for shrines
• To ask for help, you can say: “Goshuin wa doko de moraemasu ka?” (御朱印 和 どこ で もらえます か？), which means “Where can I get a Japanese goshuin stamp?”
• If using a goshuincho, open it to the correct page and hand over the goshuincho; there may be a wait up to 30 minutes, especially at popular temples; bow and say thank you: “arigatou gozaimasu” (ありがとうございます)
• If it’s busy, you may need to drop off your goshuincho and return later
• Consider a pre-stamped option if no monk is available, it’s too crowded, or you’d prefer not to wait

When at Tokyo’s Senso-ji in Asakusa, don’t forget the goshuin

Left of the main temple for Tokyo’s ever-popular Senso-ji, look for a line at a smaller building. Here’s where you can find the goshuin. The beautiful stamp is worth the wait. And for our money and perspective, the goshuin has been far superior to the other souvenirs available along the shopping street before you reach the temple.

Notebook and supply guidance

A blank sheet of paper is all you need to start collecting eki stamps. If you want to travel light and not pack a notebook, consider tucking a couple of sheets of paper in your bag. That’ll get you some stamps at the airport, for example, and you can trim and paste the stamp sheet into a notebook later.

Any notebook can work, and usually blank paper is preferable, so the stamp can stand in its full inky glory. Passport-size notebooks are a useful size for collecting stamps in Japan, and they’re still big enough to fit larger stamps.

If you’re interested in a larger notebook or stamp journal, it’s a matter of preference. A larger book is fine if you don’t mind carrying it in your bag.

Japan is renowned for its high-quality yet affordable stationery products. It’s common for people to wait until they’re in Japan to get a stamp notebook, as so many sizes are available with good quality and at a good price.

Our stamp notebook

In 2024, we switched to a Japanese TRAVELER’S notebook, with inserts that fit into a soft leather cover. 

The notebook’s long, skinny profile (similar to A5 size, or 9″ tall by 5.7″ wide) means it’s still easy to tuck the notebook in Jodie’s purse or the family daypack. The cover includes a bookmark thread and an elastic band to keep the journal closed, so there’s less concern of the journal catching on something, or pages getting bent or ripped.

Replaceable 64-page saddle-stitched inserts are 9″ by 5″. These inserts are a good weight that’s less prone to the ink bleeding through. We’ve only seen one stamp bleed through to the other side of the page, and that was a color-rich, multi-layered stamp.

Plus, there’s also a storage pocket insert we tuck into the back of the journal. That’s our stash for stickers, ticket stubs, or other small items that we want to add to the journal later.

We’ve used various notebooks and sizes over the years. However, the TRAVELER’S notebook’s durability, versatility, and compact profile make it easy for us to travel with. I especially love that we can tuck things into the storage pockets, then collage them into the journal later.

You can find notebooks throughout Japan, especially in stores such as LOFT, Tokyu Hands, Itoya. Brands like TRAVELER’S also have their own dedicated notebook stores.

For goshuin, you’ll want to get a proper goshuincho, generally available at temples and shrines for ¥1,000-2,500.

Alternatively, if you have a notebook or journal that you really want to bring from home, just check that it fits well in your bag and doesn’t become burdensome. And remember that goshuin will need to be separate.

Hint: Do not put stamps or anything else in your government-issued passport. That can invalidate your passport and/or cause you problems when traveling.

Japan eki stamps FAQ and practical tips

We’ve talked through a lot of the ins and outs of eki stamps. If there’s some wee tidbit you’re especially looking for, have a look at this Japan eki stamp FAQ and our practical tips, based on our own experience from multiple trips to Japan since 2013.

Should I bring a notebook or buy it in Japan?

If you already have a notebook that you want to continue, bring it with you. Otherwise, get one in Japan. Japan is world-famous for its high-quality, affordable stationery.

At a minimum, fold a blank sheet of paper and stash it in your bag, so it’s easy to snag a stamp at the airport. Or, tuck into a convenience store at the airport (such as the Family Mart at the far end of the mezzanine dining and amenities area at Osaka’s Kansai) and snag a small notebook. It’ll get you started. Later, you can cut out stamps from that starter notebook and add them to the snazzy ones you get in Japan.

We suggest getting your eki stamp notebook in Japan, though. The top-notch quality and diverse selection mean you can find the right notebook for you and your travel style. Build notebook shopping into your visit to stores such as

• LOFT
• Tokyu Hands
• Itoya
• TRAVELER’S

In a pinch, convenience stores, Daiso, and ¥100 Stores all have various stocks of blank notebooks too.

What supplies do I actually need to collect eki stamps, and which supplies do I not need?

At the most minimum, the only supply you need is a blank sheet of paper. Most stamps aren’t massively wet, so there’s usually little risk of bleed.

For a notebook, consider a passport-sized notebook with blank pages. These are easy to find throughout Japanese stores, from convenience stores to department stores to specialty stationery stores. We also carry a pen, so we can write in any details relevant to the stamp, such as the date we got it, and maybe a note about the location or something we did in the area.

If goshuin are a priority, get a goshuincho when you visit a temple or shrine.

That’s it.

If you don’t have a notebook but have loose paper, consider bringing an envelope to stash your stamps in. That’ll give them a little protection, and they’re less likely to get lost.

There are also things you do not need. You don’t need to carry glue, tape, or anything like that. And please—please—do not bring an ink pad. Stamps have their own ink pads, and your ink’s different color will make the stamp different from others. It’s inconsiderate. Please use the stamp pad there, and if it seems dry, let the staff know and they can help you out.

Organizing your collection

You can organize your eki stamp book collection in the way that works for you. The most natural order is simply the time progression in which you got them. Sometimes we’ll leave space on pages so we can write in other details or add other mementos, such as stickers or ticket stubs.

We like to write in the date and location for each stamp.

Your primary consideration is notebook size. Passport-size is excellent for being compact. The A5-ish size of the TRAVELER’S notebook that we favor makes it easier to add more detail and decoration to each page.

Finding stamps and rallies

Over the years, various resources online try to keep up with special stamps and stamp rallies. Here are some we’ve found useful:

• Funakiya stamp map
• Dotan’s stamp collection
• Regional tourism sites and visitor centers
• Search Instagram and TikTok for [御朱印]

One of our favorite stamp moments was during the Danjiri Festival in Kishiwada. Jodie saw on social media, and the visitor center affirmed, a stamp rally for the festival. We used that stamp rally to check out more parts of Kishiwada and snagged not only all the stamp goodness but lots of memories from the festival’s daytime and nighttime parades.

Special considerations

Most stamps, such as train station eki stamps, are easy and straightforward. But for other stamps, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Not all shrines and temples offer goshuin. Search info online to see which ones do
• Small temples might offer goshuin only during certain events, such as special festivals, or, like we mentioned above, on rainy days. When you’re visiting, ask what’s available
• If a stamp’s ink is running dry, let staff know, and they should be able to bring out a fresh ink pad
• Don’t use your government-issued passport for stamps
• Don’t bring your own ink pad
• Digital stamps are available in a growing number of places via the EKITAG app. Look for signage about digital stamps, and remember, so far the app is only in Japanese
• Stamp locations vary. Sometimes they’re out of a shelf, sometimes you need to ask someone at a station window or behind a shop counter
• Along with station stamps, ask at visitor centers about free collectible cards of the beautiful custom utility hole covers you find throughout Japan

Where to stay near major stamp collecting areas?

Finding stamps doesn’t need to determine where you stay. Stamps are all over Japan. Instead, see what accommodation is convenient for public transportation access, or what’s a good sweet spot between your various sightseeing and activity areas. Use the map below to get started:

Book cultural experiences in Japan

Speaking of activities and sightseeing, you can easily build eki stamp collecting into your other day-to-day fun in Japan. When heading to tours, classes, or other events, odds are you can find stamps along the way. Be sure to ask your tour guide or instructor for any stamps they know of, too.

Our family has had great success using resources like Viator to help us book tours, classes, and other activities around the world. Check out what they have in Japan for your trip here:

Eki stamps are the perfect souvenir for your Japan trip

Stamps are an ideal collectible souvenir. They’re free, meaningful, take up little space, and are family-friendly.

Eki stamps and temple/shrine stamps have become our favorite Japanese souvenirs. Looking at our stamps and journals transports us straight back to Japan. They bring back memories and stories—and they make us yearn to go back to Japan!

Watch our Japan stamp videos for more

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