Jul 17, 2026
Japan Survival Notes #3 - Stamp Rally & Free Prizes
I was absolutely ecstatic when I came across my first ever stamp rally in Japan at Chitose Airport. We had 3 hours to kill and after lunch and exploring nearly ever attraction possible at the airport (there are a lot, please do check out my posts on Royce' Chocolate World and Smile Road's Attractions) my partner and I sat slumped on the chairs in the waiting area. He pulled out his phone to catch up on world news so I declared I shall walk around a bit more to explore. I came across the very first stamp booth which had the booklet with instructions and the stamp itself. Unsure whether it was just for kids or adults could do it too, I was encouraged seeing two older Japanese ladies hurrying excitedly towards the the booth to stamp their booklets. This motivated me to pick my my own booklet and start the hunt. And that's where the love for collecting stamps started! 
Since then I have participated in every stamp rally I came across which I believe is a fantastic way to explore an area since it takes you to the most prominent spots across the entire course. 
The feeling of going stamp hunting is equivalent to that of going treasure hunting with a map in hand and it makes me feel like a kid again! Most of the times there are also commemorative merchandise as prizes like stickers, tote bags or chocolates as an added bonus if you complete collecting all the stamps. 
Collecting stamps lead me to my current favorite hobby of Junk Journaling which I might cover in an upcoming post so stay tuned!
Born in India and raised in the UAE surrounded by a kaleidoscope of cultures, recently, I packed my bags (and my love for shawarma!) and moved to Japan with the love of my life, embarking on a journey full of new adventures, flavors, and discoveries.
Food is my universal language, and exploring different cuisines is how I connect with the world. Whether it’s savoring a bowl of ramen in a bustling Tokyo alleyway or reminiscing over the taste of homemade pulav, I believe every bite tells a story. To me, food and culture are the ultimate bridges between people, showing us that deep down, we’re all the same.
Through this blog, I hope to share my journey of blending Middle Eastern memories, Indian roots, and Japanese adventures—all served with a side of good vibes and even better food.
1 Comment
BigfamJapan
15 hours ago
Anytime I have participated in a stamp rally, I have really enjoyed it. I keep meaning to participate in more, but either forget or don't have enough time on the day! Thanks for the reminder :-)