What is 風景印 Fukeiin?


Japan is famous for its cute stamps. You can see commemorative stamps at various places, such as train stations, tourist spots, museums, etc. Some areas offer a stamp rally, a fun activity where you visit several spots and push the stamps at each to complete the picture. 

About Fukeiin

風景印 Fukeiin, or pictorial postmark, is a type of postmark that you can get from post offices in Japan. There are more than 12,000 post offices offering fukeiin, about half of all post offices in Japan. You can see the complete list of fukeiin and search by keywords and areas here (in Japanese). 
Collecting fukeiin is a lot of fun, and you can use it as a reminder of your travels in Japan. On top of it, I use it as a motivation to go explore neighborhoods and areas I do not usually go to, as fukeiin can also be found in suburban residential areas, in a village in the mountains, or by the sea. 
Unlike other commemorative stamps, though, fukeiin serves as a postmark, so you need to put a stamp (or several stamps) worth at least 85 yen to get one. I will write a guide on fukeiin later on.

Each post office offering fukeiin has a different picture. Usually, the fukeiin depicts something that characterizes the area, such as scenery, landmarks, or specialty products. Most fukeiin are circular with a 36 mm diameter, but some places offer irregularly shaped fukeiin with unique outer frame designs, such as the one offered by Hachihonmatsu Higashi Post Office. 






Fukeiin History

The fukeiin system was first established in 1931. The first two post offices in Japan to offer fukeiin were 富士山郵便局 (Fujisan post office)—which has now been renamed 富士山頂郵便局 (Fujisancho post office)—and 富士山北郵便局 (Fujisan Kita post office). Both were made as a memento/souvenir for people climbing Mt. Fuji. After that, more than 1,000 fukeiin were introduced in post offices across Japan. However, in 1940, most of them, except the shrine-themed and military-themed ones, were discontinued due to a rubber shortage caused by World War II. 

In 1948, fukeiin was reintroduced in 24 post offices, including 東京中央郵便局 Tokyo Central Post Office. Until 1974, fukeiin were issued mainly in touristy areas, but after that, post offices in residential and non-touristy areas began issuing their own fukeiin as fukeiin collectors emerged. Presently, dozens of fukeiin are either issued or replaced every year.

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