Japan has a deeply rooted culture of collecting. Whether it’s limited-edition anime merchandise or traditional shrine stamps, there is an undeniable thrill in completing a set. I’ve personally experienced this many times before, from my adventures tracking down Starbucks Japan digital stamps to my growing physical Goshuin collection. Now, a new digital quest has caught my attention: EkiTag.
What is EkiTag? Pokémon for Train Lovers
EkiTag is an innovative app that allows you to collect digital station stamps across the country. By simply using your phone’s NFC function at participating railway stations, you can “check in” and unlock beautifully designed digital art unique to that location. It’s essentially Pokémon for travelers, encouraging you to explore, discover hidden gems, and document your journey through the Japanese rail system.
I recently sat down with my Bon Bon Show co-host Aaron to discuss this phenomenon in detail. You can listen to our full breakdown on Episode 18 of the Bon Bon Show, where we dive into how the app taps into the local “stamp rally” tradition through events, promotions, and crossovers. Currently, my collection is mostly centered around Tokyo, but I fully plan to “catch ’em all” as I travel further afield. If you enjoy gamifying your travels, will you join me on this EkiTag quest? Check out a sample of EkiTags I have collected so far below.
