Tokyo Life
Sending a letter
*This article originally appeared on a website operated by Tokyo International Communication.
To send a letter, use Japan Post's services. Japan Post's services are fast and reliable.
Japan's postal services
Postal service mark
In Japan, "〒" indicates postal services.
Buying postcards and stamps
You buy postcards and stamps at the post office.
They are also available at convenience stores and other shops with a "〒" outside them.
Sending a letter
Paste a stamp onto your letter and put it into a post box. Japan's post boxes are red.
There are two slots for inserting mail.
The one on the left is for postcards and standard-sized letters.
The one on the right is for letters which are larger in size, express deliveries, or going to a foreign country.
Sending a letter to someone in Japan
Write the postal code and address.
Japan's postal codes have 7 digits.
If you forget to write the postal code, delivering the letter may take a bit longer than usual.
You can look up the postal code using a map or the address.
| Japan Post postal code search (Japanese) |
Sending a letter to someone in Japan
When sending a letter to someone in Japan, these are the costs.
- For standard postcards: 63 yen
- For standard letters (Maximum 23.5×12×1cm): Up to 25g 84 yen / Up to 50g 94 yen
- For large letters: The cost varies depending on weight. You can search online to find out or just ask at the post office.
Use these websites to check the cost of sending your letter to someone in Japan.
| Japan Post Postage of standard size postal item and nonstandard size postal item (Japanese) |
| Japan Post Postage of standard size postal item and nonstandard size postal item (English) |
When you want to send a letter as express delivery
If you're in a rush, use the sokutatsu (express) service.
Express delivery letters will arrive faster than standard mail.
Express delivery costs an additional 260 yen (for letters up to 250g).
Draw a red line on the envelope above or to the right of the postal code (depending on the envelope type) before putting it in the post box.
Sending important letters or money in the mail
When sending important letters or money, use the kakitome (registered mail) service.
With this service, if your letter is destroyed or doesn't arrive, Japan Post will pay you for the damages.
There are several different types of registered mail. The cost for registered mail is an additional cost that ranges from 320 to 435 yen. If you're not sure which type of registered mail service to use, ask at the post office.
If you'll be gone for a long time
If you're taking a trip or will be visiting your home country for a long time, you should submit a fuzaitodoke (notification of absence) at the post office.
If you submit this notification, the post office will hold onto mail received for delivery to your address and deliver it after you've returned. The post office can hold onto letters for you for up to 30 days. There is no charge for this service.
If you move
If you move, you should submit a tenkyotodoke (notification of relocation) at the post office.
If you submit this notification, letters sent to you at your old address will be forwarded to your new address for a one-year period. There is no charge for this service.
If you move to a foreign country, the post office cannot forward mail to your new address.
Sending a letter from Japan to a foreign country
Sending a postcard by air mail
Air mail refers to using airplanes to deliver mail. When sending a postcard to a foreign country by air mail, the cost is 70 yen for any country.
Write "VIA AIR MAIL" or "PAR AVION" on the postcard before putting it into the post box.
Sending a letter by air mail
When sending a letter to a foreign country by air mail, the cost differs depending on the country or region.
For standard letters (Maximum 23.5×12×1cm)
| Asia | Up to 25g 90 yen / Up to 50g 160 yen |
|---|---|
| North America, Central America, Oceania, Europe, Middle East |
Up to 25g 110 yen / Up to 50g 190 yen |
| South America, Africa | Up to 25g 130 yen / Up to 50g 230 yen |
For large letters
The cost varies depending on weight. You can search online to find out or just ask at the post office.
Write "VIA AIR MAIL" or "PAR AVION" on the letter before putting it into the post box.
Use these websites to check the cost of sending a letter to a foreign country.
| Japan Post Check rates and delivery days (Japanese) |
| Japan Post Check rates and delivery days (English) |
Sending greeting cards by air mail
These are the costs to send a greeting card (up to 25g) to a foreign country by air mail.
| Asia | 90 yen |
|---|---|
| North America, Central America, Oceania, Europe, Middle East | 110 yen |
| South America, Africa | 130 yen |
Write "Greeting Card," "New Year's Card," "Xmas Card," or "Birthday Card" on the envelope to show it's a greeting card, then write "VIA AIR MAIL" or "PAR AVION" before putting it in the post box.