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. πŸ˜‚

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!

#EkiStampBook #JapanTravelTips #TravelJapan #SivaMcAteer #TravelSouvenirs #CollectMemories #NanzoInTemple #OsakaAquarium #Hiroshima #UniqueTravelIdeas #TravelKeepsake #AmazonFinds #StationStamps

Get your Eki Stamp Book here!

By Siva McAteer June 25, 2025
Hi, I’m Siva McAteer, travel lover, planner, and all-around rain gear enthusiast lately (πŸ˜‚), especially since I’m getting ready for my trip to Japan! Okay, I know I’ve been talking non-stop about this trip, but I can’t help it—I’m just too excited! And when I saw that rain was in the forecast, I immediately went into planning mode. Because let’s be real: You can’t have rainbows without a little rain, right? So, I hopped on Amazon and found the perfect packable rain jacket—and I had to share it with you. β˜” Why I Love This Rain Jacket for Travel The one I chose is the: πŸ‘‰ 33,000ft Women’s Waterproof Long Rain Coat – Packable with Hood & Windbreaker Design ✨ Keyword highlights: rain jacket for travel, packable rain coat, waterproof rain jacket for women, trench-style windbreaker What I love: It comes with a bag so I can fold it up and toss it in my purse. It’s adjustable, so you can cinch it at the waist for a more fitted look—no more looking like you’re wearing a trash bag in the wind. It’s lightweight, wind-resistant, and waterproof. It passed the “Siva Test” for both style and function! I tried it on, tightened the sides, and it gave me that flattering silhouette while still being practical enough for rainy days exploring Japan. Win-win! 🧳 Bonus Points for Celebrity Cruises Travelers Now, if you’re sailing with Celebrity Cruises like I am—fun fact—they stock your stateroom with an umbrella! β˜‚οΈ Super handy and thoughtful. But I still wanted to have something personal and easy to carry when I’m walking through places like Tokyo, Kyoto, or during day trips where umbrellas aren’t ideal. πŸ‘• What My Husband’s Wearing Not to leave my husband out—we grabbed this one for him: πŸ‘‰ 33,000ft Men’s Pullover Waterproof Rain Jacket – Lightweight and Packable It also folds into itself—yes, it’s its own bag! I didn’t realize that at first and kept asking, “Where’s the bag?” πŸ˜‚ Spoiler: it is the bag. Mind. Blown. It’s perfect for guys who want something light, easy to throw on, and compact for golf, hiking, or—you guessed it—traveling through Japan. 🧼 Quick Specs: Fabric: 100% Nylon Care: Machine Washable Origin: Made in the USA or Imported Use Cases: Japan travel, hiking, golf, cruise excursions, walking tours, day trips, theme parks πŸ’Ό Final Thoughts: This Rain Jacket is a Travel Must-Have If you're planning a trip—especially somewhere like Japan in spring or early summer—this is a must-pack item. It keeps you dry without weighing down your bag, and it actually looks cute. No regrets here! I'll keep you posted on how it performs during my trip, but so far, it's already getting a 5-star rating from me. Travel Tip: Always pack a reliable raincoat, even if sunshine is in the forecast. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later. Stay tuned for more gear reviews, travel tips, and stories from my Japan adventure! — πŸ“Œ Tags: #RainJacket #PackableCoat #JapanTravelTips #TravelEssentials #CruisePackingList #RainGearReview #TravelFashion #TravelReady #AmazonFinds #CruiseStyle #UGCCreator
By Siva McAteer June 24, 2025
Hey hey! It’s Siva McAteer, your go-to travel enthusiast and certified adventure chaser. βœˆοΈπŸ’ƒ So let’s talk about something we all rely on (whether we admit it or not) when we travel: INTERNET ACCESS. Because let's be real—what good is discovering an adorable cat café in Tokyo if you can't post about it immediately or Google how to get back to your hotel after one too many matcha lattes? Before my latest trip to Japan (yes, the 12-day dream cruise I can’t stop talking about), my amazing husband surprised me with something super thoughtful: two Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi devices—one for each of us. πŸ’• (Yes, I know. Keeper.) πŸ“¦ Unboxing the Magic When I opened the Ryoko box, I was honestly kind of shocked—this little gadget is tiny. Like, "wait... this gives me Wi-Fi?" tiny. It comes with a little key, and that’s it. No mess. No chaos. Just a pocket-sized router ready to roll. We chose Ryoko because we wanted to skip the whole eSIM setup while abroad. The plan? Use Ryoko for Wi-Fi anywhere—hotels, train stations, Ubers, you name it. ✨ 🌍 Does It Actually Work? Short answer: Yes... but with caveats. Where it worked great: Right when we landed in Japan, we were able to fire it up and get instant access to Google Maps, translation apps, currency converters—you know, all the lifesavers. We didn’t have to buy a ship Wi-Fi package. Big win. We called Ubers, found restaurants, navigated side streets—it worked beautifully on land. Where it didn’t work: In the sky. Nope. Nada. If you’re hoping to scroll or message from 30,000 feet… Ryoko isn’t your girl. Out at sea. No surprise, but don’t expect signal in the middle of the ocean. πŸ’­ My Honest Take: Would I Use It Again? If I had to do it all over again? I’d probably go the eSIM route. Don’t get me wrong, Ryoko is super convenient and worked well once we were boots-on-the-ground in Japan. But having reliable coverage everywhere, even during travel days, would’ve been next level. That said, Ryoko is a solid option if: You’re avoiding the eSIM learning curve You want no-hassle, portable Wi-Fi in a simple, shareable format You’re mainly using it while walking around cities, not while flying or sailing Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi Pros & Cons πŸ‘ Pros: Compact & easy to use No SIM card setup required Works great in urban areas Saved us from buying cruise Wi-Fi πŸ‘Ž Cons: No internet mid-flight or at sea Slightly less reliable than eSIM for international coverage So there you have it—my honest Ryoko review from a Japan-loving, Wi-Fi-needing, UGC-creating travel gal. πŸ’ΌπŸŒ Got questions about travel gadgets or planning your own Japan dream trip? Drop a comment, message me, or stick around for more travel gear reviews and tips. More goodies coming soon! πŸ’»πŸ“ΆπŸ—Ύ Siva McAteer Travel Creator • Cruise Addict • Technology Lover
By Siva McAteer June 23, 2025
Hey friends, It’s Siva McAteer here, and I’m so excited to finally spill the tea on one of the smartest travel decisions I made before heading to Japan. πŸ—Ύ Let’s rewind a bit. While deep-diving into travel forums and tips (you know the rabbit hole), I kept seeing this golden nugget of advice: “Skip the clamshell suitcase.” Apparently, in Japan, hotel rooms and cruise ship spaces can be tiny, and those clam-style cases that split wide open? Yeah, not ideal. So I went on a mission… and I found THE luggage. ✨ Say hello to my new travel BFF: Hanke Luggage I ended up getting not one, but two pieces of Hanke luggage: the carry-on and the 24-inch wide-handle spinner. Spoiler alert: they’re both AMAZING. My husband also got one too! Let me tell you why I’m obsessed: πŸ”„ Top-Loading = Total Game Changer No more having to throw my stuff across a tiny hotel room just to open a suitcase. This beauty opens from the top, like a trunk, so I could just pop the lid and grab what I need without taking over the whole room. πŸ’» Laptop Safe-Zone Built In This was huge for me. I wanted to bring my laptop but didn’t want to lug around my usual backpack. Enter: front pocket access. It’s sleek, padded, and safe. I could slide my laptop right in, along with chargers and snacks (of course), and breeze through TSA like a boss. πŸŒ€ Glide Like Butter The wheels on this thing? Chef’s kiss. I mean, they glide so smooth it’s like they’re floating. My driver even stacked my carry-on on top of the bigger case and rolled both with one hand like it was nothing. That’s luxury. πŸ› οΈ Heavy-Duty Handle + Smart Interior Design The handle is strong and comfortable—no wobbly nonsense here. Inside, there are plenty of compartments, pockets, and even belts to hold everything down. It keeps everything organized, neat, and secure. πŸ” Secure Lock System There’s a lock on top that you just push to open—no zippers to wrestle with or complicated combos to remember when you're jetlagged. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to using a clamshell suitcase again. Between the smooth wheels, laptop compartment, and the ultra-practical top-loading design, this luggage made my travel experience a breeze. If you’re prepping for your next adventure—especially somewhere like Japan—trust me, this is the one. Want to check them out for yourself? Here are the exact ones I used (and loved): Hanke 24-Inch Top Open Zipperless Spinner Luggage – Graphite Grey Hanke 20-Inch Carry-On with Wide Handle – Graphite Grey Hanke 26-Inch Multifunctional Spinner – Blackish Green Got questions about travel gear, planning a Japan adventure, or how to live your best cruise life? Drop a comment or DM—I’ve got so much more to share. And don’t forget to follow for more travel tips, UGC reviews, and my behind-the-scenes on life as a content creator on the go! βœˆοΈπŸ’ΌπŸŒ Until next time, Siva McAteer
By Siva McAteer June 22, 2025
Okay, I’m doing a very serious PSA today. Whatever you do—DO NOT (I repeat, do not) take a Celebrity Cruise to Japan. Why? Because you’ll never be the same again. You’ll be spoiled for life, and I’m talking next-level vacation vibes here. Imagine this: waking up every morning to a brand-new, fabulous port, eating and drinking like royalty (yes, all day), and being pampered from sunrise to sunset. One day you’re exploring the neon-lit magic of Tokyo, and the next you’re soaking in serenity in a quiet Japanese coastal town. And the best part? You don’t have to lift a finger—the staff on Celebrity Cruises treats you like a literal celebrity. It’s been a week since I got back, and honestly? I’m still recovering. I'm having vivid dreams about adventure, excitement, lights, and laughter every night. It’s like my brain can’t stop reliving the experience (not that I’m complaining!). The cruise was 12 days of nonstop magic—top-tier food, amazing entertainment, a crew that went above and beyond, and ports of call that felt like stepping into another world. I can’t say enough about how incredible it was. So again… don’t do it—unless you’re ready to be absolutely obsessed and daydream about going back forever. (And if you’re into living dangerously and want to experience it for yourself… hit me up. I’ll hook you up with all the details 😏) Seriously, it was a vacation of a lifetime, and I can't wait to share more videos and posts about every stop, every bite, and every memory. Stay tuned—this is just the beginning! Celebrity Millennium 12 night japan to south korea cruise May 26 — Jun 7, 2025 #BestVacation #Japan #CelebrityCruises #Foodies #UGC #UGCCreator #MustDo #PSA #Travel #TravelAgent #Review #12DayCruise