8. Postal Service
About Postal Service
The Japanese postal service offers a range of postal services, available from its regional post offices. Usually, the post office is open from 9:00-17:00 on weekdays, but some post offices are open until 19:00. Some post offices are also open on Saturdays and Sundays during a designated time, some at night and some on public holidays. Japanese zip codes consist of a seven digit number: 「〒○○○－○○○○」. When you send mail, you have to write the recipient's zip code, address, and name, and put a stamp on it. Stamps and post cards are sold at post office, convenience stores, some supermarkets, and shops with a "〒" mark. However, the range of stamps available is somewhat limited in those places other than the post office. If you do not know a zip code, you can ask at the post office.
Postbox
Japanese postboxes are usually a red square box marked with a 〒, and you can also find the mark at the post office. Collection times are stated on the side of the postboxes. Some postboxes have one opening, while others have two. If there are two openings, the left side is to send regular mail within Japan, and the right side is to send international mail, express mail, non-standard-sized mail, and letax (electric mail).
Domestic Mail
Regular mail, express mail, registered mail, and parcels are classified as domestic mail. The postage rate usually depends on the size and the weight of mail. The express fees and registered fees are added to the regular mail rate. The parcel fee depends on the destination of the parcel. The postage of regular mail is as follows. Ask the nearest post office about the postal fees of express mail, registered mail, and parcels.
| Type | Specific Type | Weight | Cost (yen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 (mail in envelopes) |
Standard-sized Mail | Up to 25g | 80 |
| Non-standard-sized Mail | Up to 50g | 90 | |
| Up to 50g | 120 | ||
| Up to 75g | 140 | ||
| Up to 100g | 160 | ||
| Up to 150g | 200 | ||
| Up to 200g | 240 | ||
| Up to 250g | 270 | ||
| Up to 500g | 390 | ||
| Up to 750g | 580 | ||
| Up to 1kg | 700 | ||
| Up to 2kg | 950 | ||
| Up to 3kg | 1,150 | ||
| Up to 4kg | 1,350 | ||
| Letter-card | - | 60 | |
| Type 2 | Normal Postcard | - | 50 |
| Reply-paid Postcard | - | 100 |
International Mail
Air mail, surface mail, Surface Air Lifted (SAL service), international express mail service (EMS), air parcels, surface parcels, economy air parcels, and intelpost are classified as international mail. The postage of international mail depends on the place where you are sending it to, the weight and the size of mail, and the required delivery time. The postage of regular air mail and regular surface mail is listed below. Ask the nearest post office about the postage of SAL, air parcels, surface parcels, and EMS.
【Regular Air Mail】
| Destination Zone→ | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia, American overseas territories, (Wake, Guam, The Northern Mariana Islands, The Midway Islands, and etc.), Palau and etc. | Oceania, The Middle and Near East, North America, Central America, The West Indies, and Europe | South America, and Africa | |||
| Type↓ | Weight↓ | ||||
| Letters | Standard-sized Mail | Up to 25g | 90 | 110 | 130 |
| Up to 50g | 160 | 190 | 230 | ||
| Non-standard-sized Mail | Up to 50g | 220 | 260 | 300 | |
| Up to 100g | 330 | 400 | 480 | ||
| Up to 250g | 510 | 670 | 860 | ||
| Up to 500g | 780 | 1,090 | 1,490 | ||
| Up to 1kg | 1,450 | 2,060 | 2,850 | ||
| Up to 2kg | 2,150 | 3,410 | 4,990 | ||
| Postcards | - | To All Counties 70 | |||
| Greeting Cards | Up to 25g | 90 | 110 | 130 | |
| Aerogram | - | To All Counties 90 | |||
【Regular Surface Mail】
| Type | Weight | Cost (yen) |
|---|---|---|
| Letters | Up to 20g | 90 |
| Up to 50g | 160 | |
| Up to 100g | 270 | |
| Up to 250g | 540 | |
| Up to 500g | 1,040 | |
| Up to 1kg | 1,800 | |
| Up to 2kg | 2,930 | |
| Postcards | - | 60 |
Non-delivery Notice
If registered mail or parcels are delivered while you have been out, a "notice of re-delivery at night" postcard or "notice of keeping mail" postcard should be in your mail box. If a "notice of keeping mail" postcard is in your mail box, you can receive your mail in the following way.
- Ask for the mail to be re-delivered to your home. You can designate the date and time of re-delivery. In the "notice of keeping mail" postcard, you can specify the address which mail is transmitted, and the date and time of re-delivery. Fill in the postcard and drop it in the nearest postbox. If you or a family member goes to the post office to pick up the mail (as in 3. or 4.), you are required to bring the "notice of keeping mail" postcard, a personal seal, and identification, such as your driver's license, insurance or a Certificate of Alien Registration. If you get a "notice of keeping mail" postcard, you should go to the post office or ask for re-delivery within seven days since mail is usually only kept for seven days at the post office.
- Ask for the mail to be delivered to a designated place other than your house, such as your company.
- Ask for the mail to be transferred from the post office which is holding the mail to a designated post office, and go to the post office to receive it.
- Go to the post office which is holding the mail, and receive it.
Notification of Change in Address
When you move and your address is changed, notify the post office. They will redirect any mail which is sent to your old address to your new address (without charge) for one year. However, this service is available only in Japan and mail cannot be transferred overseas. Application forms are available from the post office.
