JR East Station Stamp Renewal 2026: New Designs & Rally Guide
JR East to Unveil Redesigned Station Stamps Across Yamanashi, Tama & Musashino — Stamp Rally Event "Ekita Gallery 2026" Scheduled for June
Published: May 20, 2026 (UTC) | Source: East Japan Railway Company, Hachioji Branch | Region: Kanto
East Japan Railway Company (JR East) Hachioji Branch has announced a simultaneous renewal of station stamps and digital Ekitag stamps across stations in the Yamanashi, Tama, and Musashino areas. To commemorate the redesign, JR East will hold a stamp rally called "Ekita Gallery 2026" (エキタグラリー2026) using the Ekitag digital station stamp app. A related connected rally will also feature stamps at the recently reopened Ome Railway Park. The event period runs from June 5 to June 28, 2026.
Below is a full breakdown of the announcement, affected services, what travelers should know, and official details sourced directly from JR East's press release dated May 20, 2026.
What Happened
Station Stamp Redesign — Overview
JR East's Hachioji Branch has confirmed that station stamps (駅のスタンプ) and Ekitag stamps (エキタグスタンプ) across its jurisdiction will undergo a full visual renewal. According to the press release, the new designs incorporate motifs inspired by local landmarks, history, and regional identity for each station.
Key Dates for the Stamp Renewal
| Item | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| New "Station Stamps" (駅のスタンプ) installed | June 1, 2026 (Monday) — from the start of each station's business hours, as soon as setup is complete |
| New "Ekitag Stamps" (エキタグスタンプ) design switch | June 1, 2026 (Monday) — from 0:00 |
| Old "Station Stamps" removed | September 30, 2026 (Wednesday) |
From June 1 to September 30, 2026, both old and new station stamp designs will be available for imprinting at participating stations. This overlap period allows collectors to obtain stamps from both the outgoing and incoming designs.
Stations Covered
The redesign affects stations across the Yamanashi, Tama, and Musashino areas under the Hachioji Branch's jurisdiction. The source notes that some stations are excluded, but specific excluded stations are referenced in an attached document (別紙) that was not included in the published press release. Travelers are advised to confirm individual station availability through the Ekitag app or official JR East channels.
Note: The source did not provide a complete list of participating or excluded stations within the published notice.
Affected Services: The "Ekita Gallery 2026" Stamp Rally
Event Period
The stamp rally runs from Friday, June 5, 2026 through Sunday, June 28, 2026.
How to Participate
The rally uses the "Ekitag" (エキタグ) digital station stamp app, provided by JR East's subsidiary, JR East Marketing & Communications Inc. Participation requires the following steps:
- Download the Ekitag app on a compatible smartphone.
- Join the campaign titled 「駅のスタンプ」リニューアル記念エキタグラリー2026 within the app.
- Visit 8 stations total:
- 3 designated stations: Higashi-Tokorozawa Station (東所沢駅), Mitaka Station (三鷹駅), and Musashi-Itsukaichi Station (武蔵五日市駅)
- 5 freely chosen stations from within the rally's target area (referenced in the attached document; not fully listed in the source)
- At each station, tap your smartphone on the NFC tag installed at the station to collect the Ekitag stamp in the app's digital stamp book.
- Collecting all 8 Ekitag stamps will automatically award a "Completion Stamp" (達成スタンプ) within the app.
Prize — Original Tenugui (手ぬぐい)
Participants who collect all 8 stamps and meet the purchase condition will receive an exclusive rally-limited original tenugui (traditional Japanese hand towel). The prize conditions are as follows:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Prize | Rally-limited "Original Tenugui" (オリジナル手ぬぐい) |
| Purchase requirement | Spend ¥1,000 (tax included) or more in a single transaction at a designated NewDays store |
| Availability | First-come, first-served; limited quantity (500 pieces per store); one per person |
| Redemption period | June 5 – June 28, 2026, during store operating hours |
Designated NewDays Prize Redemption Locations
| Store | Location | Operating Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NewDays Higashi-Tokorozawa | Higashi-Tokorozawa Station, 1F outside ticket gates (side) | Weekdays: 6:10–23:00 (excluding unmanned hours) Sat/Sun/Holidays: 6:30–22:00 |
| NewDays Mitaka | Mitaka Station, 3F outside ticket gates, concourse | 6:00–23:30 |
| NewDays Musashi-Itsukaichi | Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, 1F outside ticket gates, front | 6:30–21:00 |
At the time of prize redemption, participants must tap the designated "NFC tag" at the store's staffed register counter. Some services and products may not qualify toward the ¥1,000 purchase requirement. The source states that real-time stock updates will be posted on JR East's official X account "Chuo Line ga Suki da [Railroad Edition]" (@chuosuki_sub).
Ome Railway Park Connected Rally
Background
Ome Railway Park (青梅鉄道公園), located in Ome City, Tokyo, had been closed since August 2023 due to aging infrastructure. It reopened on March 21, 2026 (Saturday) after extensive renovations. The renovated facility now serves as a learning venue for the history of the Chuo Line, Ome Line, and rail transport more broadly.
Key improvements to the park include:
- Rooftop shelters added to all displayed rolling stock
- Three new vehicles added: 201 series, ED60, and 115 series (previously in service on the Chuo and Ome Lines), joining the existing 10 displayed vehicles — including the 0 Series Shinkansen and the nationally designated Important Cultural Property ED16
- New experiential digital content alongside the existing dioramas and panel exhibits
- Renovated outdoor playground equipment, including a new large slide utilizing natural terrain
The park now hosts newly created "Station Stamps" and "Ekitag Stamps" designed with motifs representing the park itself. This is the first time stamps have been installed at the facility.
Ome Railway Park Connected Rally Details
Title: Ome Railway Park Special Prize! Visit the Renovated Ome Railway Park Too!
How to participate:
- Download the Ekitag app and join the Ekita Gallery 2026 campaign.
- Visit 2 stations within the rally's target area (referenced in the attached document) and Ome Railway Park.
- Tap NFC tags at each of the 3 locations to collect Ekitag stamps in the app.
- Collecting all 3 stamps (including the Ome Railway Park stamp) will automatically award the "Ome Railway Park Special Prize" stamp.
Prize — Original Clear File
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Prize | Original clear file (オリジナルクリアファイル) |
| Availability | First 1,000 visitors; one per person |
| Redemption period | June 5 – June 28, 2026, 9:30–19:00 |
| Redemption location | Ome Station ticket gate window (青梅駅の改札窓口) |
At the time of redemption at Ome Station, participants must tap the designated NFC tag at the ticket gate window.
Ome Railway Park Stamp — Hours and Fees
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Stamp collection hours | 10:00–16:00 (during park operating hours) |
| Closed days | Every Tuesday (定休日) |
| Stamp location | Inside the Memorial Hall (記念館内) |
| Admission fee (Adult — junior high and above) | ¥500 |
| Admission fee (Elementary school) | ¥200 |
| Admission fee (Preschool age 3 and older) | ¥100 |
Note: Admission to Ome Railway Park requires a separate fee. The park is located at Nagasakoen, Ome City, Tokyo (東京都青梅市永山公園内).
For all other target stations outside of Ome Railway Park, stamps can be collected from first train to last train.
What Travelers Should Do
Before You Go
- Download the Ekitag app. This rally is exclusively compatible with smartphones that support NFC. The source states that devices without NFC capability cannot collect stamps.
- Verify NFC tag locations and available hours for each station by tapping the "i" icon next to each station within the Ekitag app's stamp book. Station stamp locations and available hours vary by station.
- Plan for both rallies if interested. The main 8-stamp rally and the Ome Railway Park connected rally are separate — the Ome Railway Park prize does not count toward the main rally's prize redemption.
- Confirm station stamp availability at individual stations. Not all stations are included. The full list is in the source's attached document (別紙), which was not reproduced in the published PDF.
During the Rally
- Allow time for the overlap period. If you want to collect both old and new station stamp designs (physical stamps), the overlap runs from June 1 to September 30, 2026.
- Check stock availability. Prizes are limited. Stock updates for NewDays locations will be posted on JR East's official X account (@chuosuki_sub). For the Ome Railway Park prize, the source did not specify a stock update channel.
- Be aware of operating hours. NFC tags at each station are available during the station's NFC tag operating hours, which may not cover the full first-train-to-last-train window at every location. Verify in the app before visiting.
- Do not use your smartphone while walking. The source explicitly warns that walking while using a smartphone (歩きスマホ) is dangerous.
Cost Considerations
- Participants bear their own transportation costs and smartphone data charges.
- The main rally prize requires a ¥1,000 (tax included) purchase at a designated NewDays store.
- Ome Railway Park requires a separate admission fee (¥500 for adults, ¥200 for elementary students, ¥100 for preschoolers).
Additional Offerings During the Rally Period
The source notes that the three designated NewDays stores (Higashi-Tokorozawa, Mitaka, and Musashi-Itsukaichi) will sell 4 types of physical "stamp books" (スタンプ帳) during the rally period. These are separate from the digital Ekitag app and are sold as merchandise — they do not qualify for prize redemption in the rally.
Official Source
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Source label | Official organization (JR East) |
| Original Japanese headline | ＼ 捺すたび、ふえる旅。／ 「駅のスタンプ」リニューアル記念 エキタグラリー２０２６を開催します！ |
| Publication date | May 20, 2026 (05:07 UTC) |
| Issuing body | East Japan Railway Company, Hachioji Branch (東日本旅客鉄道株式会社 八王子支社) |
| Source site | jreast.co.jp |
| Source link | https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2026/hachioji/20260520_hc01.pdf (PDF, 4 pages) |
Related JR East Accounts & Resources
The source references the following official JR East social media and digital resources for this event:
- JR East Official X — "Chuo Line ga Suki da [Railroad Edition]" (@chuosuki_sub): Prize stock updates during the rally period
- JR East Official Instagram — "Ome & Itsukaichi Line Travels" (@jr.ome_itsukaichi)
- JR East Official Instagram — "Momozukin's Yamanashi Discovery Travels" (@jr.momozukin)
- Ekitag app official site: https://www.ekitag.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a specific smartphone to participate in the stamp rally?
Yes. The rally is exclusively for smartphones with NFC capability. The source states that stamps cannot be collected on devices without NFC support. Additionally, depending on your device model and network conditions, stamp acquisition may not be possible in all cases.
Can I collect both old and new station stamp designs at the same station?
Yes. From June 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026, both the outgoing and newly redesigned physical station stamps (駅のスタンプ) will be available at participating stations. However, this applies only to the physical rubber stamps — the digital Ekitag stamps switched over to the new design on June 1, 2026 at 0:00.
Does the Ome Railway Park connected rally prize count toward the main 8-stamp rally?
No. The source explicitly states that the Ome Railway Park connected rally is a separate program. The Ome Railway Park stamp does not qualify for the main rally's prize redemption. The two rallies have different prize items (tenugui vs. clear file) and different redemption locations (NewDays stores vs. Ome Station).
Is Ome Railway Park open every day during the rally?
No. Ome Railway Park is closed every Tuesday (定休日). The park reopened on March 21, 2026 following renovations that began in August 2023. Stamps at the park are available during operating hours of 10:00–16:00 only.
What happens if prizes run out before the end of the rally?
Prizes are limited in quantity — 500 original tenugui per NewDays store and 1,000 original clear files total at Ome Station — and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The source does not specify a restock plan. Real-time stock information for the NewDays prizes will be posted on JR East's official X account (@chuosuki_sub). No equivalent update channel was specified for the Ome Railway Park clear file prize.
This article is based on JR East Hachioji Branch's official press release dated May 20, 2026. Information presented here reflects the source as published. Details including event content are subject to change or cancellation without notice. All participants should confirm current information through the Ekitag app and official JR East channels before traveling.
