One of my favorate thing to do when I travel domestically in Japan is to collect stamps. Collecting stamps is popular thing in Japan.
Bring a Notebook
When you come to Japan, Do bring a small blank note that is about passport size. You will find stamps in many places. For example, if you go to Castles, they often have stamps. If you go to JR stations, they often have station stamps. When you are on bus traveling and stop at Service Area (SA) they often have stamps there, too. You will also find in many museums or sightseeing spots.
If you didn’t bring a notebook, you can buy one in 100 yen shops. Take them everywhere and collect stamps. It will be a good memory. If you are traveling with kids, they would enjoy it, too.
You can also buy special stamp books in large book stores. Ask for Stamp book or Stamp-cho（スタンプ帳）in Japanese. They are about 600 yen to 1,000 yen. The paper is perfect for stamps and there’s a space to put date and memo.
Stamp Rally
There are also “Stamp Rally”. Sometimes in shopping malls or in metro, or private train lines (often during children’s vacation). It’s fun to look for the stamps and also this can take you to places you do not usually go. When you are at stations, look in the racks near the ticket gates and there would be information or stamp rally card is located in those racks.
Goshuin
If you like more authentic stamps, some famous temples and shrines also have their special stamps with name of the temple/shrine in calligraphy in your special note books. This stamp is called Goshuin（御朱印）and it will cost 300 yen – 500 yen each. You would need special notebook for this, called Goshuin-cho（御朱印帳）. Goshuin-cho notebooks are about 1,200 yen to 3,000 yen depending on design and fabrics used. You can buy traditional ones at the temple/shrine shops. Some temples/shrines have their own original Goshuin-cho. Now that collectiing Goshuin became really popular even among young people, you can find modern, cute Goshuin-cho at stationery shops such as Loft and Hands.
Would you like to have your stamps made?
In some shops, they can make your stamps. In Japan, instead of signing, (for example for contracts or renting apartment) you will need your seals or hanko. That’s small stamp with your name on. There are many hanko shops. Some shops can make yours in few days to a week. This can be a good sourvenir for you.
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