1997 JR East Stamp Rally — Mt. Fuji Surfing Pikachu
A highly collectible piece of early Japanese Pokémon history.
This is the Japanese Surfing Pikachu (なみのりピカチュウ) No.025, distributed as a special prize during the 1997 JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally.
The event was held in Tokyo from August 9–17, 1997, with participants traveling around the Yamanote Line collecting Pokémon stamps from its 30 participating stations.
Participants who completed all 30 stations received a special two-card prize featuring Surfing Pikachu and Mew.
🗻 The “Mt. Fuji Surfing Pikachu”
This version is especially recognizable for its unique Japanese artwork.
Behind the surfing Pikachu are Mt. Fuji and a Japanese train, distinguishing it immediately from the better-known CoroCoro version of Surfing Pikachu.
Because of this artwork, the card is commonly referred to by collectors as the “Mt. Fuji Surfing Pikachu.”
Another important distinction is the card stock:
The CoroCoro version was printed on glossy stock, while this JR Stamp Rally version uses regular/non-glossy card stock.
Card Details
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🔐 Mercari Authenticated — Sealed Since Authentication
This particular card has successfully passed Mercari Japan’s authentication service.
Because this was a high-value purchase, Mercari’s authentication service was applied during the acquisition process.
After authentication, the card was returned sealed in Mercari’s authenticated packaging with its authentication seal.
The package has never been opened since it was received from Mercari.
The Mercari authentication paperwork and authenticated packaging shown in the listing photographs are included with the item.
Please note that authentication was simply part of the acquisition process for this particular high-value card. JPN Warehouse does not knowingly handle counterfeit trading cards, regardless of whether a third-party authentication service is used.
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📦 Condition
EX (Excellent)
Important: This card remains sealed in its Mercari-authenticated packaging, and we have not removed or handled the card directly since acquiring it.
The additional photographs showing the card outside of the authenticated packaging were provided by the previous owner and were taken before the Mercari authentication process. They are included in this listing to provide buyers with additional reference images of the card itself.
Because the card has remained sealed since authentication, our EX designation is based on the previous owner’s condition assessment together with the available photographs, rather than a direct post-authentication inspection by JPN Warehouse.
The condition classification has been presented using eBay’s official trading card condition guidelines as a reference.
Please carefully review all listing photographs, including the previous-owner photographs, and purchase only if you are fully comfortable evaluating the card based on the images provided.
We will not open the authenticated packaging to perform additional condition checks or take additional photographs of the bare card.
The exact authenticated and sealed card shown in this listing is the item you will receive.
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🔎 About the Authentication Packaging
The authentication seal and packaging have been left exactly as received.
Opening or removing the card would defeat the purpose of preserving its post-authentication state, so it will be shipped still sealed inside the Mercari-authenticated packaging.
The authentication documentation shown in the photographs will also accompany the card.
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🚚 Packaging & Shipping
The authenticated package will receive additional rigid protection and waterproof packaging for international shipment.
The Mercari authentication packaging itself will not be opened or altered before shipping.
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