Why You Need an Eki Stamp Book for Your Japan Trip
Siva McAteer • June 26, 2025
My Honest Experience with the Eki Stamp Hunt
Hi friends! Siva McAteer here, and I’m so excited to share one of the cutest, most unexpected discoveries from my recent trip to Japan: the Eki Stamp Book! Whether you're a travel lover, a souvenir collector, or just looking for a unique way to document your journey, this little book is a must-have for your adventure.
So, what is an Eki Stamp Book? "Eki" means train station in Japanese, and across Japan, many stations have their own special rubber stamps you can collect. These aren’t your average stamps, either. They’re super detailed, themed to the location, and honestly—adorable. Think of it as a passport to your travels across the country.
Before my trip, I snagged my Eki Stamp Book on Amazon for just about $7.99 (you can grab one here). There are tons of designs available, so find one that fits your vibe. Mine was simple but cute, and compact enough to toss in my bag every day.
My Honest Experience with the Eki Stamp Hunt
Now, full transparency: I thought I’d be hopping on and off trains all over Japan collecting dozens of stamps. But when you're 50+, sometimes your travel plans get a little... adjusted. Let’s just say, my husband and I fell in love with the convenience of Ubers and cabs. 😂
So, I didn’t hit all the train stations I originally planned to, BUT I still managed to grab some amazing stamps! One of my favorite stamp stops was the Osaka Aquarium—they had so many cute designs! And I got three at Hiroshima that I absolutely adore. But the star of my stamp collection? A beautifully detailed one from the Reclining Buddha at Nanzo-in Temple in Sasaguri, Fukuoka. This temple is part of the Shingon Buddhist tradition and it was such a peaceful, inspiring place to visit.
Pro Tips for Collecting Eki Stamps
- Start Early: Grab your Eki Stamp Book before your trip so you're ready the moment you see your first stamp station.
- Look Beyond Train Stations: While Eki stamps are commonly found at train stations, you can also find them at major tourist attractions, museums, and sometimes even on the street!
- Ask Locals or Station Staff: Not every stamp is in plain sight. Don’t be afraid to ask!
- Make It Personal: Each page in the book has space for notes. I wrote down where I got the stamp and a little memory from that stop.
Why You'll Love It
Eki Stamp Books are more than just a travel gimmick. They’re a meaningful, hands-on way to capture your experiences. Plus, it becomes a conversation starter. You might even meet fellow travelers hunting for the same stamps!
Mine has turned into one of my favorite keepsakes from Japan. Even though I didn’t fill it up as much as I planned, each stamp holds a memory, a laugh, a moment of awe.
Final Thoughts
If you're planning a trip to Japan, do yourself a favor and grab an Eki Stamp Book. It's budget-friendly, lightweight, and filled with potential. You’ll come home with something more than just photos—you’ll have a handmade, heartfelt collection of your journey.
Happy stamping, friends!
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Get your Eki Stamp Book here!
What’s better than a sea day on a luxury cruise? A sea day with John Mayer. Okay… maybe not the real John Mayer, but an acoustic tribute that hit all the right notes! 😉 Sea days are some of my favorite parts of a cruise because they give you the chance to slow down, relax, and explore everything your ship has to offer. On the Celebrity Millennium, that means checking out the daily schedule (delivered to your stateroom every evening) or scrolling through the handy Celebrity Cruises app if you’re more of a tech traveler. On this particular day, we discovered something special: a talented acoustic singer performing a John Mayer tribute near Café al Bacio. Imagine sipping a cappuccino while listening to heartfelt versions of “Gravity” or “Your Body Is a Wonderland.” That’s the magic of sea days—unexpected moments that make the journey just as memorable as the destination. And it’s not just John Mayer covers. The Celebrity Millennium offers live music all around the ship—acoustic guitarists, high-energy bands, smooth jazz, and DJs spinning late into the night. Whether you’re lounging with a cocktail, enjoying a romantic evening, or dancing under the stars, music is always part of the vibe. 💡 Fun fact: Celebrity Cruises is known for its curated entertainment lineup, often bringing in guest performers and tribute acts. So, you never know who—or what kind of music—you might stumble across on your sea day! So next time you’re on a cruise, don’t just treat sea days as downtime. Check the schedule, wander the ship, and soak up the entertainment. Who knows—you might just find yourself on your own mini-concert tour at sea. 🎤🌊
There’s nothing quite like a sea day on a cruise—and on Day 7 of our Japan adventure aboard the Celebrity Millennium, we finally got to slow down, relax, and soak up some sunshine. After days of exploring ports, temples, and city streets, having a full day at sea to recharge felt like the ultimate luxury.
Imagine ending a full day of adventure in Hiroshima with a dining experience that feels like a 5-star restaurant—all while floating across the sea. That’s exactly what you get when sailing with Celebrity Cruises, and on Day 6 of my Japan journey, I experienced it firsthand at the Metropolitan Restaurant on board the Celebrity Millennium.
It’s showtime aboard the Celebrity Millennium! One of my favorite parts of cruising—aside from the incredible destinations—is the onboard entertainment. Every evening brings something new, and tonight’s show was extra special: Cello in Love featuring the amazing cellist Wendy Law.
✨ What a fun day exploring Hiroshima! Before boarding our Celebrity Cruise ship again, we made one last stop at the Silver Paradise Monument, also known as the Tower of Paradise. The Silver Paradise Monument – Tower of Paradise 🌸 Built in 1989 to mark the centenary of Ujina Port, this striking structure is more than just a monument. It’s a symbol of peace and hope, beautifully set against the backdrop of Hiroshima’s coastline. The Silver Paradise Monument is located in Minami Ward, a picturesque part of Hiroshima, and has become a quiet but meaningful tourist attraction. Surrounded by greenery and water, it’s a peaceful spot to pause, reflect, or snap a photo before heading back onboard your ship. 🌿 Fun fact: Ujina Port, now Hiroshima’s modern cruise terminal, played a vital role in Japan’s history as both a military port and later as a hub for international travel. Today, it welcomes cruise passengers from all over the world—like us!
Winning! Japanese arcades aren’t just games—they’re a whole cultural experience. On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we stepped off the ship and into the neon world of a Hiroshima arcade. And let me tell you—it was one of the highlights of the day! Japanese Arcades: More Than Just Games In Japan, arcades are called game centers, and they’re everywhere. While they’ve been declining in numbers since their 1980s peak, there are still around 4,000 arcades across Japan today. At their height, there were over 44,000 nationwide—yes, more arcades than convenience stores! What makes Japanese arcades so special is that they’re not just for kids—they’re fun for the whole family. You’ll find multi-story game centers filled with crane games, rhythm machines, retro classics, and even photo booths (purikura). Crane Games – The Ultimate Challenge 🐾 The most iconic part of any Japanese arcade? The crane games, also known as UFO catchers. These machines lure you in with cute prizes that look easy to grab… but are way trickier than they seem. After a few tries (and maybe some encouragement from bystanders), I managed to win not one but two Mofusand plush toys! 🎉 For those new to Japanese pop culture—Mofusand is an insanely popular series of cute, chubby cats often dressed in shark or animal costumes. They’ve become a favorite prize in gachapon machines and arcades across the country.
Beer, sake, oysters, rice balls… THIS is how you eat your way through Hiroshima! On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we stopped at a cozy spot called Holiday Shokudo—and it turned out to be one of our favorite meals of the trip. Now, the name Holiday Shokudo literally translates to Holiday Cafeteria, but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t your standard cafeteria food—it’s a warm, inviting restaurant that serves up authentic Hiroshima delicacies, from fresh oysters to comforting rice balls.
One of my favorite parts of cruising through Japan is that every port offers a new surprise. On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise, we docked in Hiroshima—and after exploring the Peace Memorial Park, I couldn’t resist checking out the Hiroshima gift shop. And let me tell you… this stop was full of quirky, delicious, and uniquely Japanese treasures!
On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we arrived in Hiroshima—a city that has become a global symbol of peace and resilience. Visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was one of the most moving experiences of the entire trip. The park itself is more than just a green space. It’s a living memorial—filled with monuments, memorials, and symbols—that quietly remind every visitor of Hiroshima’s hope for a world without war. Best of all? Entry to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims is completely free, making it accessible for everyone to learn, reflect, and remember.
It’s Day 6 aboard Celebrity Cruises in Japan, and today’s stop is a city unlike any other—Hiroshima. This is a place where history and resilience intertwine, and I couldn’t wait to step ashore to experience it for myself. Imagine sailing into port with mountains in the distance and a bustling city skyline hugging the water. It’s breathtaking. There’s something so surreal about arriving in Hiroshima by ship—knowing you’re entering a city that’s turned unimaginable tragedy into an inspiring symbol of peace.
