KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 -- What began as a niche hobby among travellers and stationery enthusiasts is finding a wider audience in Malaysia, with brands, artists and collectors embracing stamp rallies and commemorative designs as a way to encourage exploration, creativity and community.

Inspired in part by Japan's long-established stamp culture, the trend has become increasingly visible through campaigns, events and collector-led initiatives across the country.

What is Japanese stamp culture?

Japanese stamp culture revolves around collecting commemorative stamps found at train stations, museums, cafes and tourist attractions.

Collectors typically use dedicated stamp books to document their journeys, with each design serving as a souvenir...