A layered stamp rally that gets people exploring the town
A regional revitalization initiative to help people discover hidden attractions
In March 2025, we planned and held the “Layered Stamp Rally – Strolling Around Kumamoto –” in Kumamoto City, with the aim of creating local vibrancy and spreading the enjoyment of exploring the city.
This event started from the question: “How can we get more people to visit shopping streets that have long been loved by locals?”
Among the various possible solutions, we deliberately adopted an analog stamp rally as “a simple mechanism that anyone can easily enjoy.”
Participants also enjoyed, as art, textures such as ink bleeding that digital stamp rallies cannot offer.
Event Report
With cherry blossoms in full bloom from the first day of the event, people from a wide range of groups took part, including families, tourists and local residents.
■ Over 6,000 participants in total! Bringing vibrancy to the community
The stamp rally, held over one week, attracted a total of more than 6,000 visitors. Map in hand, participants collected stamps as they made their way around three local shopping streets, and at the end enjoyed exchanging them for prizes. We received many comments from participants such as “It was refreshing to walk to areas I don't usually visit” and “It gave me a chance to talk with shop staff,” which also helped create connections with the community.
■ Stamps at 5 spots & a course designed for everyone to enjoy
There were five stamp spots in total. A feature of the “Layered Stamp Rally” is that the stamp design is not complete unless all spots are visited, so the desire to complete it naturally draws participants on to the next spot. The course was designed to be about 2 km long so that elderly people and children could walk it without much strain, and people enjoyed it in their own way—some completed it in one day, while others gradually completed it over the event period.
■ Collaboration with local shops and the regional tourism association made it possible to offer novelties unique to the area
With the cooperation of local shops, participants who completed the stamps received a commemorative gift of either “dorayaki” or a “local sake tasting.” Participants were also delighted to be able to enjoy local specialties.
The stamp sheet doubles as a postcard and becomes a keepsake in itself. It can also be used as a postcard.
A detour to the famous Kumamoto Castle
Announcement Signs
Large signs at the stamp locations made it easy to guide people to the other spots
Event Flyer
Map on the reverse side
“We want to create a flow of people.” “We want to better communicate the appeal of our town.”
For challenges like these, a stamp rally that turns “walking” into fun may become one of the most effective means of regional revitalization going forward.
We also accept consultations on planning and implementation, so please feel free to contact us.
