Approximately 26% of Railway Fans Collect Tickets, 31% Collect Stamps! What Do They Prioritize When Buying Tickets?

The Reality of 'Ticket, Commemorative Ticket, and Stamp' Collections Among Railway Fans

Remember the sensation of a conductor clipping your ticket? While IC cards and automated gates are the norm today, paper tickets hold a special place in people's hearts. Many railway fans across Japan treasure their collections of commemorative tickets and station stamps.

This survey was conducted with 129 men and women across Japan who expressed interest in railways, focusing on their habits regarding ticket and stamp collecting.

### Survey Overview Method: Internet-based questionnaire Period: April 21 to April 29, 2026 Participants: Men and women nationwide interested in railways Valid responses: 129 samples

### Key Findings #### 26.4% Have Collected Railway Tickets When asked if they had collected railway tickets (hard tickets, commemorative tickets, admission tickets, etc.), 26.4% said 'yes', and 73.6% said 'no'. Tickets serve as tangible memories of dates and places visited.

#### 'Hard Tickets' Top the List of Appeal at 58.8% Among those who have collected tickets, the most popular type was the 'hard ticket' (thick cardboard ticket) at 58.8%, followed by 'commemorative tickets' (55.9%) and 'commemorative admission tickets' (29.4%). The special, retro feel of hard tickets resonates deeply with collectors.

#### 31.0% Have Collected Railway Stamps 31.0% of respondents reported experience with station or commemorative stamp collecting, slightly higher than ticket collecting. Notably, 40.0% of these collectors have traveled specifically to collect stamps, indicating it serves as a motivation for choosing travel destinations.

#### 'Commemorative Nature' Prioritized When Purchasing Tickets When asked what they value most when buying commemorative tickets, 'commemorative nature' ranked first (26.5%), followed by 'exclusivity' (20.6%). The historical significance of the event often outweighs price or aesthetics.

#### Nearly 40% Express Interest in Direct Purchases from Railway Companies When asked if they would be interested in purchasing commemorative tickets or limited-edition stamps directly from railway companies, 39.5% answered that they would, either strongly or somewhat.