[North Tohoku] Introducing third sector railway lines where you can get iron seals in Akita and Iwate prefectures!

A ``tetsuin'' is a mount on which the company name and route name of a local railway is written, and is the railway version of the red stamps of shrines and temples.

This is a project started by the Third Sector Railway Council and Travel Yomiuri Publishing in June 2020, with the hope that people will ride the railway to collect stamps, just like collecting goshuin stamps at temples and shrines.

Why not take a trip to collect the much-talked-about iron seals while also supporting local trains in northern Tohoku?

Please note that each price in the article is the amount as of October 20, 2022.

What is the iron seal book required to receive an iron seal?

This is a book specifically for recording iron seals, and is an item required to receive iron seals.

Available in five colors, each book can be purchased for 2,200 yen (tax included) at the railway company counter.

If you collect the iron seals of all 40 companies participating in this project, you will receive a ``Tetsuincho Meister Card (paid)'', and on some routes you can receive special benefits by presenting it.

iron seal design

Like a goshuin, the name of the company or route is written on top of the red stamp, and each railway company has its own unique stamp, and some are handwritten.

In addition to regular iron seals, there are also limited editions, commemorative editions, and collaboration editions, and the designs are sometimes updated, making for a rich variety.

How to get an iron seal

It is the same for all railway companies and can be purchased by following the steps below

1. First, purchase a Tetsuincho: at a station counter, tourist information center, etc.
2. Next, look for the station where you can get the iron seal: Listed on each company's official website
3. Purchase a ticket for the same day and pay the registration fee: Registration fees start from 300 yen

Tetsuin-cho and iron-in stamps can often be purchased at the same counter, and the lowest fare is OK for train tickets (admission tickets are not accepted).

Railway companies participating in Tetsuincho in Northern Tohoku

In northern Tohoku, you can get iron seals from four companies: Sanriku Railway and IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway in Iwate Prefecture, and Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway and Yuri Kogen Railway in Akita Prefecture.

Sanriku Railway (Rias Line: Mori Station - Kuji Station)

It is Japan's longest three-section railway that runs along the Sanriku coast of Iwate, and its abbreviation is Santetsu.

On the Rias Line, you can enjoy the varied scenery of mountains and seas along the line.

Although it suffered major damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake, it resumed service in parts of the area five days later, cheering up the victims, and within three years the section washed away by the tsunami was restored, becoming a symbol of recovery.

It is introduced as the ``Northern Railway'' in the NHK morning drama series ``Ama-chan,'' and images of the trains and routes appear in the title and in the drama.

Stations where you can get iron stamp books and iron seals on Sanriku Railway

You can purchase iron stamp books and iron seals at the counter at Miyako Station from 7:30 to 18:30.

The iron stamp is stamped with a red stamp on the mount that depicts a train crossing the Osawa Bridge, one of the most spectacular views along the line, and a station staff member writes the name and date of the route in their handwriting.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Sanriku Railway Miyako Station
• Address: 1-1 Miyamachi, Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0193-62-7000
• URL: Sanriku Railway official homepage

GOOGLE MAP

IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway (Morioka Station - Metoki Station)

When the Tohoku Shinkansen section between Morioka Station and Hachinohe Station opened, JR East's Tohoku Main Line was separated and the three-section line was created, and the route from Metoki Station in Aomori Prefecture to Hachinohe Station was run by a separate company called Aoimori Railway. is.

There is a commuter route between Morioka City and its commuter town Takizawa City, and it is also used as a connecting route for JR Freight and the Tohoku Main Line.

Stations where you can get iron stamp book and iron seal on IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway

The counter at Aoyama South Exit of Aoyama Station in Morioka City, where IGR's head office is located, is open between 7:00 and 19:00 (excluding 11:00 and 12:00), but during the commuting hours of 7:00 and 8:30. You may have to wait because the ticket gates are crowded.

The iron stamp is written by a station staff who is good at calligraphy and printed on a Japanese paper mount, and the red stamp is a cute illustration of IGR mascot characters "Ginga-kun" and "Kirari-chan."

Tetsuin and Tetsuincho Meister Card Benefits

At the restaurant ``Bistro Ginga'' at Aoyama Station, if you show your iron seal, you can get one free set drink.

In addition, you can receive novelty goods (IGR special clear file and special mini notebook) by presenting your Meister card.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Aoyama Station
• Address: 3-27 Maekunen, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-626-9151 (IGR information)
• URL: IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway official homepage

GOOGLE MAP

Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway (Akita Nairiku Line: Takasu Station - Kakunodate Station)

This local line, which runs leisurely through the countryside and mountains of inland Akita, is called the ``Smile Rail Akita Nairiku Line'' because it connects the local area and tourists with smiles.

Along the line, you can enjoy the rural scenery of Akita, a rice-producing region, and there is also a museum of Matagi, which originated in Akita, and hot springs.

Please note that due to heavy rains in August 2022, as of October 20, buses will be operating as substitutes between Takasu and Aniai.

When you go out, please check the operation status on the official website etc.

Stations where you can get iron stamp books and iron seals on the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway

You can apply at the tourist information counter at Aniai Station from 8:30 to 17:15.

On the mount of the iron stamp, you can write a handwritten comment by a station staff member on top of the red stamp with the design of the sightseeing train "Smile EMI", which has been in operation since February 2020.

There are also iron stamps handwritten by sightseeing train attendants, and many fans buy two.

Tetsuincho Meister Card Benefits

At Aniai Station, you can receive the following benefits by presenting your Meister Card.

• Presentation of a letter of appreciation from the president and the sightseeing train attendant's ``best smile''
• Original novelty goods
• 50 yen off on soft serve ice cream at Kogumatei restaurant at Aniai Station

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Aniai Station
• Address: Ani Ginzan Shimoshinmachi, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-82-3666 (tourist information counter)
• URL: Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway official homepage

GOOGLE MAP

Yuri Kogen Railway (Chōkai Sanroku Line: Ugohonjo Station - Yajima Station)

The Chokai Sanroku Line, which runs through Yurihonjo City at the foot of Mt. Chokai, which sits on the border of Akita and Yamagata prefectures, is a three-section line based on the JR Yajima Line.

Of the 14 round trips a day, one round trip is made in the morning on the Magokoro Train, and an attendant dressed as an Akita Obako will be on board, giving you the feeling of being on a local train while enjoying Mt. Chokai and the countryside.

Stations where you can get iron stamp books and iron seals on the Yuri Kogen Railway

Tickets can be purchased at the tourist information center inside Yajima Station from 9:00 to 17:00, and outside of these hours at the Yajima Station ticket office.

In addition to the red stamp with a design of Mt. Chokai and an iron stamp handwritten by a station staff, there is also an iron stamp handwritten by ``Matsuko of the shop'', which includes a 500 yen registration fee and a 200 yen discount coupon for the shop.

In addition, from October 16th, the iron stamp of the vehicle photo, "Nostalgic Train Chokai Ver.", will be on sale.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Yajima Station
• Address: Hasaka, Nanukamachi, Yajima-cho, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0184-56-2736
• URL: Yuri Kogen Railway official homepage

GOOGLE MAP

summary

We have introduced four third sector railway companies that issue iron stamps in northern Tohoku.

2022 marks the 150th anniversary of the railway's opening, so why not take a tour of the scenic local lines and collect iron stamps?