[Tohoku] Introducing third sector railway lines where you can get iron stamps in Yamagata and Fukushima 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 lines of southern 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 book specifically for recording your Tetsuin, and you will not be able to receive your Tetsuin without it

There are five colors in total, as well as gold ones, and they can be purchased at railway company ticket counters for 2,200 yen each (tax included) (some prices may vary)

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

From the official Tetsuincho Facebook page

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

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)

Third-sector railways participating in the Tetsuincho in South Tohoku

The participating railway companies in the southern Tohoku region are the Yamagata Railway in Yamagata Prefecture, the Abukuma Express in Fukushima Prefecture, and the Aizu Railway. However, the Yagan Railway, which connects with the Aizu Railway and connects Tochigi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture, has also been added to the southern Tohoku region

Yamagata Railway (Flower Nagai Line: Akayu Station to Arato Station)

The former Japan National Railways Nagai Line has been privatized and is now home to many famous flower spots along the line, as its nickname suggests. The area became famous as the location for the 2004 movie "Swing Girls."

Recently, the double characters of the rabbit "Mochii Stationmaster" and the railway girl "Ayugai Ringo" have been popular

Yamagata Railway Stations where you can get a train stamp book and train stamp

You can purchase train stamp books and train stamps at the ticket counter at Nagai Station between 10:00 and 17:00

The design features illustrations of four flowers associated with the towns along the line: cherry blossoms from Nanyo City, dahlias from Kawanishi Town, irises from Nagai City, and safflowers from Shirataka Town, all of which surround a red seal with a railway track motif

INFORMATION

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• Facility name: Nagai Station
• Address: 1 Sakaemachi, Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0238-88-2002
• URL: Yamagata Railway official website

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Abukuma Express (Abukuma Express Line: Fukushima Station - Tsukigi Station)

Nicknamed AbuQ, it runs parallel to the Tohoku Main Line and the Abukuma River, and is the first fully electrified line in Japan among third-sector railways, with the new AB900 series rolling stock proving popular.
The line runs from Fukushima Station to Tsukinoki Station in Miyagi Prefecture, but some trains continue on the Tohoku Main Line to Sendai Station.

Stations where you can get a train stamp book and train stamp on the Abukuma Express

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter at Fukushima Station on the Abukuma Express Line from 5:30 to 23:15

Stamped in the center is a red seal depicting the 8100 series, the Abukuma Express's main train, peach blossoms, a Fukushima specialty, and Mount Azuma Kofuji and the snow-shaped "seed-sowing rabbit" that appears on the northeastern slope of Mount Kofuji in spring

Also printed on the bottom of the backing is a photo of the 8100 series running through the countryside

INFORMATION

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• Facility name: Fukushima Station
• Address: 1-1 Sakaemachi, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 024-522-1322
• URL: Abukuma Express Official Website

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Aizu Railway (Aizu Line: Nishiwakamatsu Station to Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station)

Between Nishi-Wakamatsu Station and Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, the line runs on the JR Tadami Line, and to the south it runs via the Yagan Railway and operates direct services with Tobu Railway, making it a valuable line connecting Tokyo and Aizu

The popular "Oza Toro Observation Train" operates between Aizu-Tajima Station and Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, connecting a trolley car with a tatami car and observation car

Aizu Railway Stations where you can get a train stamp book and train stamp

Tickets are accepted at the Aizu-Tajima Station ticket office from 5:30 to 21:00, from early morning until late at night

The letters are handwritten by station staff, and the long stem of the character "kai" is said to represent Mount Bandai. The red seal is a large image of the logo and a front view of the train

There is a standing bar serving local sake at the station, so you can enjoy some while your coffee is written

INFORMATION

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• Facility name: Aizu-Tajima Station
• Address: Nishibanba-ko, Tajima, Minamiaizu-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0241-62-0065
• URL: Aizu Railway official website

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Yagan Railway (Aizu-Kinugawa Line: Shin-Fujiwara Station to Aizu-Kogen-Ozeguchi Station)

This line connects the Tobu Kinugawa Line and the Aizu Railway, and is nicknamed the "Hot Spa Line" because it passes through many famous hot spring resorts along the line, including Kinugawa Onsen and Shiobara Onsen

Because it runs through the mountains, the approximately 30km route has 18 tunnels and 64 bridges, making it a popular scenic route

Stations where you can get a train stamp book and train stamp on the Yagan Railway

The fare adjustment office located inside the ticket gates at Shin-Fujiwara Station can handle this from 6:00 to 21:00, and you can also have your fare recorded at Yunishigawa Onsen Station from 9:00 to 16:00

The train stamp is a written type and features Yagapi, the mascot character of Yagami Railway, and the symbol mark

INFORMATION

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• Facility name: Shin-Fujiwara Station
• Address: 399-28 Fujiwara, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
• Phone number: 0288-77-3777
• URL: Yagan Railway official website

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summary

Here we have introduced three third-sector railway companies that issue railway stamps in southern Tohoku, and one company in Tochigi Prefecture that operates in Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture

Aizuwakamatsu can be reached from Tobu Asakusa Station in Tokyo with just one transfer, and if you use the Yamagata Shinkansen or Tohoku Shinkansen, you can also collect your train stamp on the Yamagata Railway or Abukuma Express on a day trip from the Tokyo metropolitan area

In 2022, the 150th anniversary of the opening of the railway, why not enjoy a journey to collect railway stamps from the southern Tohoku region?