Noah's Travel Stampbook
Upon picking up a small, green notebook decorated with gold filigree and juniper motifs, you open it up to find pages of stamps, the quality of stamping clarity varying from one to the other.
Welcome, traveler!
You've found my stampbook! I started collecting stamps of National Parks with my friends Grim and Veera in October 2022 when we visited Moab, Utah. I learned all about park (and museum!) stamps between the two of them and fell in love with the idea. Then, in November 2023 I found out from my mom that Japan's JR lines have stamps for almost every station! And even more amazingly, a lot of tourist locations have their own beautiful and unique commemorative stamps. Here you'll find real photos of the stamps I've collected. It's my hope to fill up this book with memories of my travels, and little notes about them.
Click on the train stamp on the right to get started! Feel free to use the index tab to the left to get back to the front page.
take me home, country road!Kyoto Station
Stamped: 11.08.23
Our first stamp that kicked off our November 2023 family trip! Kyoto Station is huge, so we had to stop and ask a few attendants for directions to the JR lines from the Shinkansen. After lots of walking, I was so close to giving up on finding this stamp, but my mom encouraged we keep going. It ended up being just ahead of where I was ready to give up, so I'm glad she said that. The usual machine stamp was out of service, so we went to the information booth by the ticket gates. They had a stamper behind the desk, and kindly let us use it. I tried really hard to make this one count, and it turned out quite well!
The design is of Kyoto Station's entrance, Yasaka Pagoda and Kyoto Tower.
Kyoto, Japan
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Saga-Arashiyama Station
Stamped: 11.09.23
We took a taxi to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, but used the trains on the way back. The walk felt much longer than the estimated 10 minutes, but it was enjoyable nonetheless! We loved seeing all the shops and stalls on the way over, as well as all the other visitors dressed in beautiful kimono. The stamp station was right next to the ticket gates on the outside, so it was very easy to find this time around!
The design is of the Togetsukyo Bridge (渡月橋), which unfortunately we were unable to see due to exhaustion. While waiting for the train, a couple from Fremont, CA chatted with us and we compared our upcoming itineraries. They were really fascinated by our portable accordian stool, which my mom enjoyed demonstrating for them.
Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
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Inari Station
Stamped: 11.11.23
The relatively small station is immediately in front of the entrance to the Fushimi Inari-taisha (伏見稲荷大社), so we had no trouble finding it. We did have to ask the attendent at the ticket gates, as they keep it behind the desk, but I was grateful that it wasn't a hassle.
I love the cohesive and retro designs of the Kansai area stamps! Until I saw Tokyo Station's, I assumed all of the stamps would be like this. The design is of the thousands of vermillion torii gates that Fushimi Inari-taisha is known for.
Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Japan
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Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Stamped: 11.12.23
My mom's favorite stamp! Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is located on the outskirts of Arashiyama, nestled in the west mountains. Though rather remote, it's well-known for it's collection of 1200 Rakan statues, a recent addition and mostly carved by visitors under the guidance of the head priest, Kocho Nishimura. Each Rakan statue is unique to its creator, and many had very fun expressions or qualities about it. We had lots of fun taking photos of statues that reminded us of our friends and family, and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the temple grounds.
The design is an irresistably cute depiction of a praying Rakan statue, surrounded by flora of all seasons.
Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
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Linimo / Fujigaoka Station
Stamped: 11.12.23
My mom's favorite stamp! Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is located on the outskirts of Arashiyama, nestled in the west mountains. Though rather remote, it's well-known for it's collection of 1200 Rakan statues, a recent addition and mostly carved by visitors under the guidance of the head priest, Kocho Nishimura. Each Rakan statue is unique to its creator, and many had very fun expressions or qualities about it. We had lots of fun taking photos of statues that reminded us of our friends and family, and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the temple grounds.
The design is an irresistably cute depiction of a praying Rakan statue, surrounded by flora of all seasons.
Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
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Ama no Hashidate
Stamped: 11.14.23
My mom and I booked a private driver to take us to Ama no Hashidate (天橋立) and Ine, about 2 1/2 hours from Kyoto. While it was sunny when we started, the countryside quickly turned to clouds and rain. The drive was so, so beautiful despite the weather, with the fog and low clouds clinging to the mountains. This stamp was just before the ticket gate to get into the cable car. The stamp pad is well-worn and well-loved, so I wasn't able to get as good of a pressing here. It made me seriously contemplate bringing my own stamp pad, but I wasn't sure if that was allowed (lol!).
The design is of Kasamatsu Park's pinecone mascot, Kasabo-chan, in front of Ama no Hashidate's gorgeous view, and the cable chairs that you can gently ride up to the vista. It's called Heaven's Bridge because of the way it looks like a bridge between Heaven and Earth. You can also see a reference to the famous "Matanozoki," or looking upside down through your legs. It's said that the view is exactly the same when you do that lol! I had just gotten over a weeklong vertigo attack, so I wasn't keen on trying it out.
Miyazu Bay, Kyoto, Japan
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Tokyo Station / TRAVELER'S
Stamped: 11.15.23
Full transparency? This stamp nearly brought me to tears. Tokyo Station was the biggest, most stressful station I had ever been to, and finding this stamp from the Shinkansen platforms was hard. I think I spent a good hour walking around looking for how to get to the Marunouchi gates, and had to ask two different attendants for help. I was first looking for the TRAVELER'S Factory store, which I had been kindly given a map with directions, however the store and stamp are on the opposite gates, so I spent quite a few yen getting lost and going through the ticket gates over and over.
I did manage to find both, and bought some things to make up for the arduous journey (a little treat, if you will). My recommendation would be to just enter through the Marunouchi South and North exits versus trying to find your way through the (enormous!!) station like I did.
While looking up more information about the JR East main eki stamps, I found that one of my favorite blog sites, Spoon & Tamago, wrote about it! These stamps were newly redesigned in 2020, and are based off of Japan's family crests.
Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan
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Toyosu Station
Stamped: 11.17.23
While on our way to teamLab Planets TOKYO, I was showing NoX my collection of eki stamps. Since we had time before our ticket entry, we decided to look for stamps on the way over.
I was surprised to see Toyosu Station had one, and was able to add so many just on our way to teamLab. I felt so lucky, and the stamps started looking much better thanks to NoX's stamping power lol!
The design is of several trains side by side, though I unforunately don't have much information about it. I will have to ask NoX next time to see if he can find something.
Koto City, Tokyo, Japan
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Kuramae Station
Stamped: 11.17.23
Kuramae Station is on the Toei Oedo Line (E11), and was one of the transfers that we had on the way to our hotel, so I don't have too much to say about it. A lot of the stamps are usually on the outside of the ticketed areas, near the ticket gates, and I believe this one was on the inside where we had transferred from. The JR East train stamps really go all-out and leave no wasted space, so I enjoyed seeing what locations or attractions made it into the design.
The design is of the famous Sumida River Fireworks Festival in Taito City over, what I believe is, the Umaya bridge.
Taito City, Tokyo, Japan
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Tokyo Skytree
Stamped: 11.18.23
Today was a big day for stamps! NoX and I went to Sumida Aquariu, the Japan Postal Museum, and the Tokyo Skytree. There was a special Chiikawa collab event which had its own stamp rally. NoX and I ran all around Tokyo Skytree, and the very last stamp ended up being at Chiikawaland in the shopping center. I think Tokyo Skytree could absolutely be an entire day's trip, there was so much to explore.
Taito City, Tokyo, Japan
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Akihabara Station
Stamped: 11.19.23
The Akihabara Station stamp was a little difficult to find, and a gentle reminder that everyone tries their best. I initially asked an attendant where to find the stamp, and they gave me instructions in English, though we weren't able to follow it. Then, NoX went back to ask in Japanese, and while the english instructions had the right idea, it wasn't quite the same. I think giving directions can be difficult enough without a language barrier, so I'm grateful when people try their best to help. We found the Square Enix Cafe along the way, so it was a nice walk around the station regardless!
Also, as a side note, I initially thought we'd found the stamp right away, but it ended up being a stamp for Kanda Curry Grand Prix...? I collected it anyways lol
The design seems to be circuitry, a computer mouse, and the mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi, a former train station turned into a shopping center.
Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan
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Tochomae Station
Stamped: 11.19.23
Tochomae Station is on the Toei Oedo Line (E28), a line we used a lot while staying at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo. Like many other stations, it had long stretches of walkways that felt rather liminal.
The design is of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Shinjuku Niagara Falls, a fountain in Shinjuku's Central Park. The Tokyo Weekender has described the water feature as "generously named".
Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan
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Shinjuku Station
Stamped: 11.19.23
Shinjuku Station was about a 15 minute walk from the Hyatt Regency Tokyo, and my goodness is it big and confusing. I relied heavily on bloggers who came before me, of which I am so grateful for. Apparently, the Guinness World Records has recognized Shinjuku Station as the busiest station in the world, and I sure felt it.
The design references Shinjuku's famous chili peppers, dating back to the Edo period. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden used to be a well-known site for chili pepper farms, until the city began to become less rural and field space diminished. However, in 2010 the Naito Togarashi Project sought to restore naito togarashi products and reintroduce chili pepper farming in Shinjuju, and have been successfully doing so ever since!
Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan
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Yoyogi Station
Stamped: 11.20.23
Yoyogi Station is on the Toei Oedo Line (E26). I took the Yamanote Line (which I recognized from a VRChat world!) to Ikebukuro on a mission to Sunshine City.
The design is of the NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building (also known as Docomo Tower) and what I am assuming is Yoyogi Park. Docomo Tower is the fifth tallest building in Tokyo and second tallest clock tower.
Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
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Ikebukuro Station
Stamped: 11.20.23
I admit I almost gave up looking for this stamp (again). Like all the other big, major stations, trying to navigate Ikebukuro for a train stamp was a real test of perseverence and directional skills. I wanted to take a taxi back from Sunshine City, but the prices were excrutiatingly high. It took me about 15 minutes to walk back to the station, and then about 30-45 minutes just to find the stamp.
The design is most likely a reference to Tokyo Metropolitan Theater, which houses many classical operas and concerts, as well as the many owl statues and motifs throughout the district. Ikebukuro (池袋)'s second character bukuro sounds very similar in pronunciation to fukurō, the Japanese word for owl. The play on words can be endearingly noticed all over, so much that the owl has become a symbol of Ikebukuro.
Toshima City, Tokyo, Japan
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