This book is actually a Goshuincho. Before I got to Kyoto, I came across a deal with the Kyoto Randen (street car/tram) offering a 1 Day ticket with a stamp book. 

 

Unfortunately, I thought “stamp book” was for Randen tram eki stamps. When I went to get the stamp book, I thought it was like an eki stamp book (they never show a picture on the website). As I was waiting, I see a binder with Randen Eki stamps. I’m thinking that I am going on a Randen Eki Stamp rally. 

When I get the stamp book, it is accordian style (goshuincho) and when I go outside the doors, I had 2 Randen eki stamps. I stamp the book. Next station, there are no eki stamps. Then next station, no eki stamps. 

My friend asked the someone and they said only the main station has eki stamps, the rest did not have any! That’s when I realize that the Goshuincho is for Goshuin.

I decided to use this Goshuincho as just a stamp book after. Actually, it is pretty cool to use!

1. Open pages – You don’t have to worry about the book spine hindering the page from being flat
2. Big stamps are a bit easier to use. Some of those big JR stamping machines are easier to use.
3. Thicker pages – I felt the page quality is better. Since it is really for goshuin, the pages weren’t made super thin.
4. Bigger – slightly bigger pages, so you can put multiple stamps on a single page.

 

When I arrived at Narita airport, I went to get my Hokuriku Arch Pass at the JR East Travel Service center. This stamp was different than the other 2 I got before. Most of the stamp locations are along the Hokuriku Arch route with side trips to Matsumoto, Takeda, Joetsu and Tokamachi areas to Shiga/Lake Biwa area.

 

 

July 2024