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

A "tetsuin" is a piece of paper with the name of a local railway company or line written on it, and is the railway version of the goshuin stamps found at shrines and temples

This project was launched in June 2020 by the Third Sector Railway Association and Travel Yomiuri Publishing, and is based on the hope that people will ride the train to collect stamps, just like collecting goshuin (temple stamps) at temples and shrines

Why not go on a trip to collect the much talked about "railway stamps" while also supporting the local train lines of northern Tohoku?

Please note that the prices listed in this article are as of October 20, 2022

What is the Tetsuin book required to receive a Tetsuin?

This is a notebook specifically for recording Tetsuin stamps, and is an item necessary to receive a Tetsuin stamp

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

If you collect the train stamps from all 40 participating companies, you will receive a "Train Stamp Book Meister Card (fee required)," and on some lines you can receive special benefits by presenting it

Design of the railway stamp

Like a temple seal, the name of the company or line is written on top of the seal, and each railway company has its own unique design, with some even being handwritten

In addition to the regular Tetsuin stamps, there are also limited editions, commemorative editions, and collaboration editions, and the designs are sometimes updated, so there is a wide variety

How to get a Tetsuin

All railway companies have the same procedure for purchasing tickets

1. First, buy a Tetsuincho (rail stamp book) at the station ticket counter or tourist information center
2. Find the next station where you can get a Tetsuin stamp: listed on each company's official website
3. Purchase a ticket for the day and pay the registration fee: Registration fee starts from 300 yen

In many cases, you can purchase the Tetsuin book and Tetsuin at the same counter, and the minimum fare is OK for a train ticket (not an admission ticket)

 

Railway companies participating in the Tetsuincho in northern Tohoku

In northern Tohoku, you can get a railway stamp 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 to Kuji Station)

It is the longest third-sector railway in Japan, running along the Sanriku coast of Iwate, and is abbreviated as Santetsu

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

Although it suffered significant damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake, it resumed partial operation five days later, cheering up the victims, and restored the section washed away by the tsunami within three years, becoming a symbol of reconstruction

In the NHK morning drama series "Amachan," the train is introduced as "Kitatetsu," and images of the trains and route appear in the title and in the drama

Sanriku Railway Stations where you can get a train stamp book and train stamps

You can purchase train stamp books and train stamps at the ticket counter at Miyako Station between 7:30 and 18:30

The train stamp has a red seal on the backing paper depicting a train crossing the Osawa Bridge, which offers the most spectacular view along the line, and the station staff will handwrite the line name and date in bold letters

INFORMATION

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

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IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway (Morioka Station to Meji Station)

When the Tohoku Shinkansen opened between Morioka Station and Hachinohe Station, JR East's Tohoku Main Line was separated from the management of the line, creating a third-sector line. The section from Meji Station in Aomori Prefecture to Hachinohe Station is run by a separate company called Aoimori Railway

It is a commuter route between Morioka City and its bedroom town, Takizawa City, and is also used as a connecting line for JR Freight and the Tohoku Main Line

Stations where you can get a train stamp book and train stamps on IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway

The ticket counter is located at the Aoyama South Exit of Aoyama Station in Morioka City, where IGR's headquarters are located, and is open from 7:00 to 19:00 (excluding 11:00 to 12:00), but you may have to wait during rush hour from 7:00 to 8:30 as the ticket gates can get crowded

The train stamp is written by a station attendant who is skilled in calligraphy and printed on a Japanese paper backing, and the red stamp is a cute illustration of IGR's mascot characters, Ginga-kun and Kirari-chan

Tetsuin and Tetsuincho Meister Card Benefits

At Bistro Ginga, a restaurant near Aoyama Station, you can get a free drink with your order if you show your train stamp

Also, by presenting your Meister Card, you will receive novelty goods (a special IGR clear file and a special mini notebook)

INFORMATION

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• 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 website

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Akita Inland Longitudinal Railway (Akita Inland Line: Takanosu Station to Kakunodate Station)

This local line, which runs leisurely through the rural and mountainous areas of inland Akita, is called the "Smile Rail Akita Inland Line," meaning that it connects the local community and tourists with smiles

Along the line, you can enjoy the rural scenery of rice-producing Akita, and there is also a museum on Matagi, a tradition that originated in Akita, as well as hot springs

Due to the heavy rains in August 2022, as of October 20th, buses will be operating as replacement services between Takanosu and Aniga

Before heading out, please check the service status on the official website

Stations where you can get a train stamp book and train stamp on the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway

Applications are accepted at the tourist information desk at Aniai Station from 8:30 to 17:15

The stamp backing features a red seal with a design of the tourist train "Emi," which began operating in February 2020, and station staff will write a handwritten comment on top of it

Handwritten train seals by tourist train attendants are also available, and many fans purchase two

Tetsuincho Meister Card Benefits

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

• A letter of appreciation from the president and a gift of the "best smile" from a tourist train attendant
• Original novelty goods
• 50 yen discount on soft serve ice cream at Koguma-tei restaurant in Aniai Station

INFORMATION

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• Facility name: Aniai Station
• Address: Ani Ginzan Shimonomachi, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-82-3666 (Tourist Information Desk)
• URL: Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway Official Website

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Yuri Kogen Railway (Chokai Sanroku Line: Ugo-Honjo Station to Yajima Station)

The Chokai Sanroku Line, which runs through Yurihonjo City at the foot of Mount Chokai, which sits on the border between Akita and Yamagata prefectures, is a third-sector line that originated from the JR Yajima Line

Of the 14 round trips per day, the Magokoro Train operates one round trip in the morning, and an attendant dressed as an Akita Obako is on board, helping to enhance the local train experience as you enjoy Mount Chokai and the rural scenery

Stations where you can get a train stamp book and train stamps on the Yuri Kogen Railway

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

In addition to the red seal with a design of Mt. Chokai and the handwritten railway seal by the station staff, there is also a railway seal handwritten by "Matsuko from the shop," and the 500 yen registration fee comes with a 200 yen discount coupon for the shop

In addition, a train stamp featuring a photo of the train, "Nostalgic Train Special Ver.", will be on sale from October 16th

INFORMATION

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• Facility name: Yajima Station
• Address: Uesaka, Yajimacho, Nanakamachi, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0184-56-2736
• URL: Yuri Kogen Railway official website

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summary

We introduced four third-sector railway companies that issue railway stamps in northern Tohoku

2022 marks the 150th anniversary of the railway's opening, so why not take a tour of the local lines and enjoy the scenic views from the train window while collecting railway stamps?