[Yamagata/Fukushima Edition] A railway version of a temple stamp? Third-sector railway lines where you can get a stamp called "Tetsuin" (railway stamp)

A "Tetsuin"is a stamp card bearing the name of a local railway company or line, similar to the Goshuin stamps found at shrines and temples, but for railways.

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

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What is the Tetsuin book required to receive a Tetsuin?

A "Tetsuincho"is a notebook specifically for recording railway stamps, and you cannot get a railway stamp 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

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

• First, purchase a railway stamp book: available at station ticket windows or tourist information centers.
• Next, find a station where you can get a railway stamp: Check the official websites of each railway company.
• Purchase a ticket dated for the day and pay the registration fee: the 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)

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Third-sector railways participating in the Tetsuincho in South Tohoku

The railway companies participating in Southern Tohoku are Yamagata Railway in Yamagata Prefecture, and Abukuma Express and Aizu Railway in Fukushima Prefecture. However, Yagan Railway, which connects to Aizu Railway and links Tochigi and Fukushima Prefectures, has also been added as part of the Southern Tohoku category.

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

The Flower Nagai Line, which runs along the former Japanese National Railways Nagai Line and was later privatized , boasts numerous flower viewing spots, as its nickname suggests, and became famous after being used as a filming 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

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

"Abukyu,"it runs parallel to the Tohoku Main Line and the Abukuma River, and is the first third-sector railway line in Japan to be fully electrified with AC power. Its new AB900 series trains are proving popular.

This line runs from Fukushima Station to Tsukinoki Station in Miyagi Prefecture, but some trains continue on the Tohoku Main Line all the way 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

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

The Aizu Railwayconnects to the JR Tadami Line between Nishi-Wakamatsu Station and Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, and further south, it operates through services with the Tobu Railway via the Yagan Railway, making it a valuable route connecting the Tokyo area with Aizu.

The "Oza-Toro Observation Train," which combines a trolley car and a tatami-mat car/observation car , operates between Aizu-Tajima Station and Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and is quite popular

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

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

The Yagan Railway is a line connecting the Tobu Railway Kinugawa Line and the Aizu Railway, and is affectionately known as the "Hot Spa Line" because it passes by many famous hot spring resorts such as 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

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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?

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