Japan Post Offices: Sending Postcards, Letters and Parcels Home

A plain guide to buying stamps, using the red mailboxes, choosing between airmail and express, and preparing customs paperwork for parcels sent abroad from Japan.

Published October 20, 2026 at 10:22 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: To send mail home from Japan, buy postcards and stamps at a post office, convenience store or station kiosk, then drop letters in a post box or hand them over at the counter. Parcels need weighing and customs paperwork at a post office, where staff can explain the airmail, surface and express options and their prices.

Mail basics for visitors

Postcards and stamps are sold at post offices, convenience stores and kiosks in train stations around the country. Hotel front desks can often post mail on a guest's behalf, though visiting a post office is not difficult and gives access to the full range of services. The post office mark, a stylized T-shaped symbol, appears on signs and on the red post boxes seen on many streets.

Post boxes generally have two slots, one for letters and postcards and another for larger items. For mail going overseas, it is worth confirming the correct postage first, since an international postcard and an international letter are priced differently and depend on weight and size. A small scale at the counter solves the question quickly.

Staff can tell you which stamps an international postcard needs. Souvenir postcards bought elsewhere in Japan can be mailed the same way, so there is no need to buy cards at the post office itself. Writing the cards in the evening and posting them the next morning is a relaxed routine for many travelers.

Inside a post office

Larger post offices have several counters because they also handle banking and insurance. For mail and parcels, go to the postal service counter, take a numbered ticket from the machine if there is one, and wait until the number is called. Staff will weigh the item, explain the options and tell you the cost.

Forms for parcels and express mail are usually provided in both Japanese and English, and staff can help if something is unclear. Opening hours vary by office, and smaller branches often close earlier in the day and on weekends, so check the hours of the branch you plan to visit. Larger central offices tend to keep longer hours than neighborhood branches.

Postcards and letters going abroad

Overseas letter post covers letters, aerogrammes and postcards. Airmail is the usual choice for postcards sent home. Japan Post's comparison page gives approximate delivery times of 3 to 6 days for airmail and 1 to 3 months for surface mail, with EMS at roughly 2 to 4 days. These are estimates that vary by destination and item, so use the rate and delivery-day checker on the official site or ask at the counter.

Write the destination country clearly, in English or in the language of the destination, and add the words "Air Mail" if staff suggest it. Stamps for international postcards may be bought at the counter, which saves guessing the rate. If a postcard is to arrive before a trip ends, mail it early.

For a keepsake that should arrive intact, such as a greeting card with a pressed flower or a flat souvenir, a stiff envelope or a small card sleeve helps. Staff can advise whether an item still counts as a letter or needs to go as a small packet.

Parcels and the main options

For packages, Japan Post describes several methods: surface mail, which is the lowest cost and slowest; airmail; EMS, the fastest international service; international parcels for packages of 2 kg or more; small packets for items under 2 kg; and a small-packet service with tracking. A single parcel is usually limited to around 30 kg, though limits vary by destination, as do rules on contents and dimensions.

Not every method is offered for every destination, and some options may be temporarily suspended. The rate-checking tool on the official site shows which methods apply to a destination, and counter staff know the current situation. Customs clearance time is not included in delivery estimates, so allow a margin if a parcel has a deadline.

Customs forms and labels

International parcels need a shipping label, a customs declaration and, for high-value shipments, an invoice. Japan Post says its online mail service is used to create these documents. The official guide notes that electronic data about the contents is sent ahead to the destination's customs office, and that handwritten labels can no longer be used for sending goods. Details differ by service, so follow what counter staff advise.

Describe the contents specifically. The guide recommends detailed item names, such as "stuffed doll" rather than just "toy," because incomplete descriptions can lead to delays, returns or duties charged to the recipient. Prepare the information in advance on a computer or phone, then take the reference code or printed label to the counter.

What cannot go in the box

Some items cannot be sent abroad by mail at all, mostly because they cannot travel on aircraft or ships. Japan Post lists spray cans, perfume, fireworks, nail polish, electronic cigarettes, portable battery chargers and strong alcoholic drinks among items prohibited worldwide, and individual countries restrict things such as liquor, tobacco, meat and fresh produce.

Packing matters too. A sturdy double-walled box, cloth tape on every seam and cushioning around fragile goods are recommended, and boxes that once held fresh food should not be reused. Services such as "Fragile" handling are not available for international parcels, so double packaging is the safer plan. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

Tracking, delivery and other services

Tracked services come with a 13-digit tracking number that can be entered on the Japan Post tracking page. Tracking availability depends on the service chosen and the destination country, and ordinary letters and postcards are generally not tracked unless an option such as registered mail is added. Keep the receipt until the parcel arrives.

If a parcel needs to be sent from a hotel or home, a pick-up service is available for EMS and international parcels, according to Japan Post, and the same documents are prepared in advance. Parcels sent home after a long stay are often the biggest job, so allow time at the counter.

Many post offices also have ATMs run by the postal bank. Which cards a machine accepts, and the hours it operates, vary by location, so look for the signs on the machine and ask at the counter if unsure. Japan Post's own pages list the current services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy stamps and postcards in Japan?

Postcards and stamps are sold at post offices, convenience stores and station kiosks nationwide. Post office staff can tell you the correct postage for an overseas card or letter, which depends on the destination, weight and size, and can confirm whether airmail is the best choice for the item.

How long does mail from Japan take to reach other countries?

It depends on the method and destination. Japan Post's comparison page gives approximate times of 3 to 6 days for airmail and 1 to 3 months for surface mail, with express service (EMS) faster at roughly 2 to 4 days. Customs time is separate, so ask at the counter for the current estimate.

Do I need a customs form to send a parcel abroad?

Yes. International parcels need a shipping label and a customs declaration describing the contents, created through the online mail service or with help at the counter. Use specific item names, and check the list of prohibited items before packing. Staff can explain what applies to the destination country.

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