Sending Mail Within Japan
Japan Post Co. is the national postal service, and its post offices are located throughout the country, making it the main point of contact for sending general mail.
Here are the key terms related to sending mail in Japan:
- 郵便局 (yuubinkyoku) = Post office
- 切手 (kitte) = Stamp
- 封筒 (futou) = Envelope
A standard letter within Japan costs ¥110. Stamps can be bought at any post office or convenience store.
Japanese Address Format
Japanese addresses are written in a specific order. Here is an example of a Japanese address:
〒106-0044 東京都港区東麻布1-8-1 ISビル4F GPlusMedia
- 〒 = Postal code symbol
- 106-0044 = Postal code
- 東京都 = Tokyo (Prefecture)
- 港区 = Minato (Ward)
- 東麻布 = Higashi-Azabu (District/Neighborhood)
- 1-8-1 = Specific location (house/building number)
- 1 = “Cho” (district code)
- 8 = “Ban” (block code)
- 1 = Building number
- ISビル4F = IS Building, 4th floor (if it’s an apartment, this would include building number and floor)
You can also write the address in English. Here is how you would format the above address:
GPlusMedia
IS Bldg. 4F, Higashi-Azabu 1-8-1
Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0044
Japan
International Mail
When sending mail internationally, the format will follow the style of the receiving country. For example, the address might be written with the country name at the end, and it should align with the standard postal format of the destination country.
John Doe
1234 Example St.
City, State 12345
USA
Postage Size and Price
Here is the price and maximum size you can send mail in Japan.
Standard Size Postal Items
- Within 50g: ¥110
Nonstandard Size Postal Items
The specified size for nonstandard items is a maximum of 34cm in length, 25cm in width, 3cm in thickness, and up to 1kg in weight.
- Within 50g: ¥140
- Within 100g: ¥180
- Within 150g: ¥270
- Within 250g: ¥320
- Within 500g: ¥510
- Within 1kg: ¥750
- Within 2kg: Not accepted
- Within 4kg: Not accepted
Over the Specified Size (Nonstandard Postal Items)
- Within 50g: ¥260
- Within 100g: ¥290
- Within 150g: ¥390
- Within 250g: ¥450
- Within 500g: ¥660
- Within 1kg: ¥920
- Within 2kg: ¥1,350
- Within 4kg: ¥1,750
Mini-Letter (Postal Envelope)
- Within 25g: ¥85
Letter Pack Light
(Postal item other than recorded delivery mail using a specified postage-paid envelope. Maximum thickness is within 3cm.)
- Within 4kg: ¥430
Letter Pack Plus
(Recorded delivery mail using a specified postage-paid envelope, with an optional service charge included in the postage.)
- Within 4kg: ¥600
Postcards
- Standard postcards: ¥85
- Reply-paid card: ¥170
How to Deliver Mail in Japan
In Japan, you have several convenient ways to send mail:
Japanese Post Box
You can drop your letter or parcel into a Japanese post box. The mailboxes are typically color-coded:
- Left box: For domestic mail.
- Right box: For international mail.
The last mail collection is usually around 18:00 (6 PM), so if you want your item sent the same day, be sure to drop it off before that time.
Post Offices
For more complex mailing needs or to send larger packages, visit a post office. Japan’s post offices are widespread and can assist you with sending both domestic and international mail. Here, you can purchase stamps, get assistance with filling out forms, and even use additional services like registered mail.
Convenience Stores
Some konbini (convenience stores) in Japan, such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart, also have mailboxes inside the store for standard post (letters and postcards). These are convenient options if you’re in a hurry or need to send mail outside of regular post office hours.
The wonderful world of Takuhaibin (宅配便)
The main takuhaibin service is offered by Yamato (Kuroneko) Transport, Japan’s largest door-to-door delivery company and called Ta-Q-Bin. You can arrange parcel shipping through Ta-Q-Bin at most of the major convenience store chains.
The service is an efficient way of sending large boxes, luggage, sports equipment and furniture as well as standard parcels within Japan. They collect from your nearby convenience store, and deliver directly to the door of your recipient or even to the airport you’ll fly from the next day.
Prices are dependent on the size and weight of your package. You can also organize Ta-Q-Bin to pick up the parcel direct from your home or office.
The process is fairly simple. First make sure your package is OK to send to wherever you want to send it to and confirm the rate. Once you’ve packed it, take it to the convenience store and get a postage label. There are different types depending on the service and sending method.
- 運送状 = unsoujiyo = postage/packing label
You can fill out the label in English. Yamato Transport have a fantastic website in English which explains exactly how to arrange Ta-Q-Bin, including filling out the various forms.
Attach the label to the package, pay and off it goes!
Receiving mail within Japan
Aside from receiving to your home or office address, there are also options for pick up:
- Convenience store
Usually when buying something online, you can select “Convenience Store Pick Up” and have it delivered to your closest store. You’ll receive an email to come and get it.
- Locker collection
Called “Hako Post”, again available when shopping online with Rakuten or Mercari. Just select the “Hako Post” option. You’ll be emailed with a pick-up code when it’s ready.
How to redeliver a package
If you miss your delivery you’ll receive a redelivery slip in your mailbox which looks like this:
It’s a good idea to scan the slip to see if there’s an English redelivery number first if you don’t feel confident having a go in Japanese. You can call this number and arrange everything with an English speaker.
You can also arrange redelivery via the Post Office website. Check out this post for a step by step guide on exactly how to do it.
Shipping to overseas
Ta-Q-Bin
Our favorite service Ta-Q-Bin also provides options to ship overseas which works in the same way as sending mail domestically.
At the post office
| English | Japanese | Romaji | Details |
| Surface Mail | 船便 | funabin | The cheapest method to post overseas —a 20 kilogram box will cost around ¥10,000 and take about three months |
| Airmail | 航空便 | koukuubin | The standard method for sending overseas |
| EMS | 国際スピード郵便 | kokusai speedo yuubin | This service will send a package to most places in a speedy 2-4 days, but costs significantly more |
| Surface Air Lifted | エコノミー航空 | ekonomi koukuu | An option halfway between Airmail and Surface Mail and a good middle ground between speed and expense |
| Insurance | 保険 | hoken | For the package, varies by amount |
| Registered mail | 書留 | kakitome | Proof that the mail was sent, the receiver will sign to show that it was delivered |
| What are the contents? | 中身は何 ですか? | Nakami wa nan desu ka? | Often asked by the staff as Japanese delivery companies have lots of rules and regulations about delivering certain item |
Sendable product categories
According to their official website, the postal service divides products into 5 broad categories:
- Documents
- Letters
- Postcards
- Packages
- Printed material (such as books or magazines)
Each has a slightly different pricing structure, so be prepared for the price to keep changing if you have a variety of things in the box.
When shipping goods overseas, a customs declaration form must be completed. A “Fragile. Handle with Care” service is not available for international mail so make sure to secure your package properly.
International My-Page service with Japan Post
The My Page service offers:
- Pre-printed EMS labels that can be ordered free online and delivered to your home in Japan.
- An Online Shipping Tool that allows you to easily print labels on home printers.
Forwarding mail and submitting a change of address
- 転居届 = tenkyo todoke = Change of Address Notification card
If there’s someone in the country who will agree to take care of any mail you receive, you can fill out a “Change of Address Notification” card with their address at any post office to have mail forwarded to them for up to one year. Mail won’t be forwarded to addresses outside of Japan.
