Postal Services

　If you have the correct postage affixed to postcards and mail in envelopes, you can drop mail in your nearest mailbox on the street corner, not only for domestic mail but also for mail overseas. For mail overseas, please write “Airmail” in bold letters.

　The postage for a regular size postcard is ￥50 and for an “ofuku” reply-paid postcard the postage is ￥100. The postage for a regular size envelope (weighing 25 grams or less) is ￥80. There is also “sokutatsu” expedited mail service, if you would like mail to reach its destination faster than regular mail, “kakitome” registered mail service if you are sending such valuables as cash, and “yu-pack” service for sending parcels. Furthermore, if you complete a change of address form at your local post office when you move to another residence, all mail addressed to your old address will be forwarded to your new address for one year. Please direct inquiries concerning mail and postage to your local post office.

　If no one is at home when registered mail or a parcel is delivered, a Notice of Attempted Delivery (“Fuzai Haitatsu Tsuchisho”) is left in your mailbox and the mail or parcel is taken back to the post office to be kept on hold for a designated period. If mail is not claimed, it is returned to the sender. You can either indicate an alternative delivery date and place on the notice and drop it in a mailbox; call the post office; or take the notice and your foreign resident registration card to the post office to receive your mail.

　Inquiries: Mitaka Post Office (Tel: 44-6081)

Regular Airmail Postage

　Postage varies according to the following categories of areas,and according to the weight of the mail.

Area 1―Asia

Area 2―North America, Central America, Oceania, Near and Middle East and Europe

Area 3―South America, Africa. For example, a letter (regular size sealed envelope weighing 25 g) requires ￥90 postage for Area 1, ￥110 postage for Area 2, or ￥130 postage for Area 3.

Inquiries: Japan Post Service Company Tokyo International Branch, Tel: 03-3241-4891

Inquiries: Postal Information in English, Tel: 0570-046-111

　There are also private companies that deliver parcels both in Japan and overseas. You can take your wrapped parcel to an agent for the delivery company, such as a convenience store, and complete the delivery form. You can also request a pick-up on holidays and at night if you call the home delivery company.