Japan Post (日本郵便) is one of the most important institutions in daily Japanese life. Post offices offer banking, insurance, package delivery, and a range of government services. For foreigners, understanding Japan Post is essential.
Finding a Post Office
- Red and white logo — easy to spot on any street
- Over 24,000 post offices nationwide — including in the smallest rural towns
- Even train station mini-post offices (駅内郵便局) offer core services
- Hours: Standard branches — weekdays 9am–5pm; some open Saturday 9am–12pm or 3pm
- ATMs often have extended hours: 7am–11pm (or 24/7 in some locations)
Core Services
1. Sending Mail and Packages Domestically
Letters and postcards:
- Postcard (はがき): ¥85
- Standard letter (定形): ¥84–94
- Large letter (定形外): from ¥120
Packages:
- ゆうパック (Yu-Pack) — Japan Post’s parcel service; reliable, trackable
- Compare price/convenience with Yamato and Sagawa for larger items
レターパック (Letter Pack):
- Flat-rate envelopes for documents and small items
- レターパックライト (Blue): ¥370 — delivered to mailbox
- レターパックプラス (Red): ¥520 — signature required; can hold up to 4kg
2. International Mail and Packages
EMS (国際スピード郵便) — Japan Post’s international express:
- Tracked, fast (3–5 days to most destinations)
- Most economical option for documents and parcels
- Price example: 500g to USA ≈ ¥2,500; 1kg to UK ≈ ¥3,200
International SAL (船便 + 航空混載):
- Discontinued as of 2024 for most destinations — check current options
Airmail (航空便):
- Available for small letters and packages
- Slower and cheaper than EMS for documents
Sea Mail (船便):
- Very slow (1–3 months); very cheap; for large non-urgent shipments
3. Mail Forwarding (転送)
When you move, submit a 転送届 (Tenso-todoke) at any post office:
- Free service
- All mail forwarded for 1 year
- Can also submit online at japanpost.jp
Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行)
Post offices also contain ゆうちょ銀行 (JP Bank) — one of Japan’s largest banks by deposits.
For Foreigners
- Relatively easy to open an account (simpler than commercial banks)
- Required: residence card, My Number, some branches require 6 months residency
- Free ATM withdrawals at all Japan Post ATMs
- JP Bank ATMs accept most international cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro)
Useful Features
- Pay utility bills at the post office counter
- Transfer money to any Japanese bank account
- Receive salary — many employers accept JP Bank accounts
See full guide: Japan Post Bank for Foreigners
Japan Post ATM
Japan Post ATMs are the most accessible ATMs for foreign cards in Japan, including in rural areas.
- Open 7am–11pm (most); 24/7 at some locations
- Support English interface
- Accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express
- ¥110 fee per transaction on weekdays; higher on weekends/nights
Receiving Mail and Packages
If you miss a package:
- A 不在票 (Fuzai-hyo) is left in your mailbox
- Call the number on the slip or request redelivery at: post.japanpost.jp
- Can also pick up at the local post office — bring the slip and your ID
Other Services at the Post Office
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| 住民票 | Some post offices offer administrative certificate services (municipality-linked) |
| マイナンバー | My Number card-related services at some branches |
| Print services | Some post offices have printing (コンビニ print is easier) |
| 保険 (Japan Post Insurance) | かんぽ生命 — life and medical insurance |
| 収入印紙 (Revenue stamps) | Required for certain contracts; available at post offices |
Tips for Foreign Residents
- Fill out the address in Japanese on domestic mail — Roman alphabet addresses occasionally cause delays
- Keep your tracking number (追跡番号) — track at japanpost.jp
- Furusato Nozei (故郷納税) gifts — many are delivered via Japan Post
- If ordering from Japanese sites, Japan Post delivery is usually the cheapest option for standard orders