Hiroshima

๐Ÿ“ฌ

Post and Mailing Services

Sections

Overview of Post and Mailing Services in Hiroshima

Japan has a highly efficient and reliable postal system, operated primarily by Japan Post (ๆ—ฅๆœฌ้ƒตไพฟ, Nippon Yลซbin). Hiroshima, being a major city, has numerous post offices and mailing options to cater to both domestic and international needs. In addition to Japan Post, private courier services like Yamato Transport (Kuroneko Yamato) and Sagawa Express are also widely available.

Types of Mailing Options Available

Japan Post offers a variety of services for sending letters, parcels, and packages. Here are the main options:

1. Domestic Mailing Options

  • Standard Mail (ๆ™ฎ้€š้ƒตไพฟ, Futsลซ Yลซbin):

    • For letters, postcards, and small parcels.
    • Delivery time: 1โ€“3 days depending on the distance.
    • Cost: Starts at ยฅ84 for a standard letter (up to 25g).

  • Yu-Pack (ใ‚†ใ†ใƒ‘ใƒƒใ‚ฏ):

    • A parcel delivery service for larger items.
    • Delivery time: 1โ€“2 days within Japan.
    • Cost: Based on size and distance. For example, a 60-size parcel (up to 2kg) sent within Hiroshima Prefecture costs around ยฅ810.

  • Letter Pack (ใƒฌใ‚ฟใƒผใƒ‘ใƒƒใ‚ฏ):

    • Prepaid envelopes for small items.
    • Two types:
      • Letter Pack Light (ยฅ370): Delivered to the mailbox.
      • Letter Pack Plus (ยฅ520): Requires a signature upon delivery.

  • Express Mail Service (้€Ÿ้”, Sokutatsu):

    • For urgent deliveries.
    • Delivery time: Same day or next day.
    • Cost: Standard postage + ยฅ260.

  • Registered Mail (ๆ›ธ็•™, Kakitome):

    • For valuable items or important documents.
    • Includes tracking and insurance.
    • Cost: Standard postage + ยฅ435.

2. International Mailing Options

  • Airmail (่ˆช็ฉบไพฟ, Kลkลซbin):

    • Fastest option for international letters and parcels.
    • Delivery time: 3โ€“10 days depending on the destination.
    • Cost: Starts at ยฅ90 for a postcard and ยฅ150 for a standard letter (up to 25g).

  • Surface Mail (่ˆนไพฟ, Funabin):

    • Economical but slow.
    • Delivery time: 1โ€“3 months.
    • Cost: Cheaper than airmail (e.g., ยฅ1,050 for a 1kg parcel to the US).

  • EMS (Express Mail Service):

    • Fast and reliable for international parcels.
    • Delivery time: 2โ€“5 days.
    • Cost: Starts at ยฅ1,400 for a 300g parcel to Asia.

  • International ePacket:

    • For small parcels (up to 2kg) with tracking.
    • Delivery time: 6โ€“10 days.
    • Cost: Cheaper than EMS (e.g., ยฅ1,350 for a 1kg parcel to the US).

  • SAL (Economy Air):

    • A mid-range option between airmail and surface mail.
    • Delivery time: 2โ€“3 weeks.
    • Cost: Cheaper than airmail but faster than surface mail.

Procedures for Sending and Receiving Parcels

Sending Parcels

  1. Prepare Your Parcel:

    • Use appropriate packaging. Japan Post provides free boxes and envelopes for services like Yu-Pack and Letter Pack.
    • Ensure the address is written clearly in Japanese or English. For international mail, include the destination country in English.

  2. Visit a Post Office:

    • Bring your parcel to the nearest post office.
    • Fill out the necessary forms (e.g., customs declaration for international mail).
    • Pay the postage fee.

  3. Drop-Off Options:

    • You can also drop off parcels at convenience stores (e.g., Lawson, FamilyMart) if using Yu-Pack or private courier services.

  4. Tracking:

    • Obtain a tracking number for registered mail, Yu-Pack, EMS, or ePacket.

Receiving Parcels

  • Home Delivery:

    • Most parcels are delivered directly to your address. If youโ€™re not home, the delivery person will leave a notice (ไธๅœจ็ฅจ, Fuzai-hyล).
    • Use the notice to reschedule delivery online, by phone, or at the post office.

  • Post Office Pickup:

    • If you prefer, you can have parcels sent to a post office for pickup. Bring ID and the tracking number.

Conveniently Located Post Offices in Hiroshima

Hiroshima has many post offices, but here are some centrally located and easily accessible ones:

  1. Hiroshima Central Post Office (ๅบƒๅณถไธญๅคฎ้ƒตไพฟๅฑ€)

    • Address: 6-78 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima.
    • Hours:
      • Weekdays: 9:00 AMโ€“7:00 PM (counter services).
      • Saturdays: 9:00 AMโ€“5:00 PM.
      • Sundays/Holidays: 9:00 AMโ€“12:30 PM.
    • Services: Full range of domestic and international mailing options.

  2. Hiroshima Station Post Office (ๅบƒๅณถ้ง…ๅ‰้ƒตไพฟๅฑ€)

    • Address: 2-2 Matsubara-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima.
    • Hours:
      • Weekdays: 9:00 AMโ€“5:00 PM.
    • Services: Convenient for travelers near Hiroshima Station.

  3. Hondori Post Office (ๆœฌ้€š้ƒตไพฟๅฑ€)

    • Address: 8-1 Hondori, Naka-ku, Hiroshima.
    • Hours:
      • Weekdays: 9:00 AMโ€“5:00 PM.
    • Services: Ideal for those shopping or sightseeing in the Hondori area.

Local Considerations and Tips

  1. Language:

    • Most post office staff in Hiroshima speak limited English. Bring a written note with your request in Japanese or use a translation app.
    • For international mail, customs forms are available in English.

  2. Convenience Stores:

    • Many convenience stores in Hiroshima accept Yu-Pack parcels, making it easy to send packages outside regular post office hours.

  3. Cash Payments:

    • Post offices accept cash and major credit cards. However, smaller branches may only accept cash.

  4. Peak Hours:

    • Avoid visiting post offices during lunch hours (12:00 PMโ€“1:00 PM) or just before closing to avoid long lines.

  5. Tracking:

    • Use the Japan Post website or app to track your parcel. The tracking system is highly reliable and updated frequently.

  6. Seasonal Delays:

    • Expect delays during peak seasons like New Yearโ€™s (late December to early January) and Golden Week (late April to early May).

By following this guide, you should have no trouble navigating Hiroshimaโ€™s post and mailing services. Whether youโ€™re sending a quick postcard or shipping a large parcel internationally, the system is designed to be user-friendly and efficient.