Stamping Challenge
One of the activities hubby loves while on a vacation in Japan is collecting stamps (or what we here call "chops").
It's fun and it's free.
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I wonder if JR has any promotion (or challenge) like this, this year?
This was taken in 2009.
We weren't crazy enough to go hunt for all 77 stamps at 77 JR stations during that year's 2-week holiday but we did manage to get a significant number, thanks to the flexibility of travelling by trains with the use of JR Pass. ^^
Footnote : we have a collection of stamps from train stations from Yufuin down in Kyushu all the way up to Hakodate, and collection that start in 2002. *just a bit of bragging there* HAHAHA
Footnote : we have a collection of stamps from train stations from Yufuin down in Kyushu all the way up to Hakodate, and collection that start in 2002. *just a bit of bragging there* HAHAHA
I guess this is something you won't even think about, but once you started with your first stamp, you would probably want to get as many as you can..
ReplyDeleteYup.
DeleteAndddd... if there is a challenge, like they had it in 2009, we can get souvenirs from JR too in exchange for our efforts. :)
I got my very first one from Meiji Jingu in Tokyo.. was rather impressed with that.. don't think I've got any from the JR station but a few from the Goryokaku Tower in Hakodate and the tourist centre in Otaru station.. wait, did I get one JR Otaru then?? let me check~~ :p
ReplyDeleteSo, checked got or not?
Deleteso how many has Pak Kura collected?? show us dei~~
ReplyDeleteDun wan share la. Too many. After all, it's a compilation of 8 trips.
DeleteNot many trips yet, thankfully. LOL
Looks interesting, best of all it's free, hehe!
ReplyDeleteNot only free but it has meaning too.
DeleteAll the stamps feature something that the area is proud of.
I collected a few too when I went to Kyoto. When we were in Uji in Autumn, we were fortunate to see the annual Genji stamp rally going on where participants have to visit 10 monuments around Uji to collect the stamps but we were too late to take part to get all 10 "chop".
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is fun. Your husband can continue to collect them when all of you go to Japan again as I believe there are many such stamps rally all around Japan.
DeleteMun...
DeleteMy hubby's been collecting it since 2002. ^^
Just that in 2009 there was a challenge where those who managed to get all 77 stamps can get a nice gift in exchange for their effort.
As for places of worship... I'm afraid we're not collecting that.
Trains however is our passion. :)
Yes, can understand why you all are not collecting places of worship but Genji monuments stamps are not categorized under places of worship I think but I could wrong as Genji is just a story.
DeleteAnyway Japanese loves stamp rallies (or you prefer to call it stamp challenges) where there is a race (time-based) to collect x number of stamps along a route in x hours and if one completes it, can get a gift like what you say in 2009.
I guess it would be fun to take part in one such stamp rally. This gives me an idea, maybe I will search for one such stamp rally and coincide my visit to Japan during that time to join a stamp rally just for fun.
The Tale of Genji needs no introduction for anyone who loves Japan. :-)
DeleteBut still not in our limited area of interest.
Hace fun during your trip.
P.s. I call it a challenge because getting to ALL 77 JR stations is by no means an easy feat, as you know already. :-)
DeleteThanks. Yes, getting ALL 77 JR statiions is a challenge indeed, no doubt about that. :)
DeleteSO when going Japan again? :)
ReplyDeleteThe clue has been written in posts and splashed on my FB timeline. LOL
DeleteOh I didnt know about free stamps in Japan till I read this... I thought nowadays nobody collects stamps anymore.. not during my time when the teacher asked what hobbies we have and most of the students would write "collecting stamps"... nowadays what do kids write about their hobbies?? :)
ReplyDeleteDifferent era different hobbies lor. Hahaha
DeleteJapan nice country to visit ya... hehe...
ReplyDeleteI regretted for not collecting them. We didn't pay attention on this trend until we happened to see someone chopping them. These memories are priceless and meaningful which is better than buying Kit Kat or souvenirs!
ReplyDeletesoon you be getting chop chop leh :) wink wink
ReplyDelete