Yokohama

๐Ÿ“ฌ

Postal and Courier Services

Sections

1. Overview of Postal Services in Yokohama

The postal system in Yokohama is managed by Japan Post (ๆ—ฅๆœฌ้ƒตไพฟ, Nippon Yลซbin), which is the national postal service provider. Japan Post offers a wide range of services, including domestic and international mail, parcel delivery, banking, and insurance services. In addition to Japan Post, private courier companies like Yamato Transport (Kuroneko Yamato) and Sagawa Express also operate in Yokohama.

2. Available Services

A. Japan Post Services

  1. Mail Services:

    • Standard Mail: Letters, postcards, and greeting cards.
    • Registered Mail (ๆ›ธ็•™, Kakitome): For sending important documents or valuables with tracking and insurance.
    • Express Mail Service (้€Ÿ้”, Sokutatsu): Faster delivery for urgent mail.
    • International Mail: Includes airmail, surface mail, and economy air (SAL) options.

  2. Parcel Services:

    • Yu-Pack (ใ‚†ใ†ใƒ‘ใƒƒใ‚ฏ): Domestic parcel delivery service with tracking.
    • International Parcel Post: For sending packages overseas.
    • EMS (Express Mail Service): Fast international shipping with tracking and insurance.

  3. Other Services:

    • Postcards and Stamps: Available for purchase at post offices and convenience stores.
    • Redelivery Service: If you miss a delivery, you can request redelivery online, by phone, or at the post office.

B. Private Courier Services

  1. Yamato Transport (Kuroneko Yamato):

    • Known for its Takkyubin (ๅฎ…ๆ€ฅไพฟ) service, which is a reliable domestic and international parcel delivery service.
    • Offers Cool Takkyubin for temperature-sensitive items like food.
    • Provides convenient luggage delivery services to/from airports and hotels.

  2. Sagawa Express:

    • Specializes in domestic parcel delivery and offers international shipping services.
    • Known for its competitive pricing and reliable service.

  3. DHL, FedEx, and UPS:

    • These international courier companies operate in Yokohama and are ideal for sending packages overseas quickly.

3. Operating Hours

  • Post Offices:

    • Standard post offices are typically open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
    • Larger post offices, such as the Yokohama Central Post Office (ๆจชๆตœไธญๅคฎ้ƒตไพฟๅฑ€), may have extended hours and are open on weekends for certain services.
    • ATMs for postal banking are often available from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, depending on the location.

  • Private Courier Services:

    • Yamato Transport and Sagawa Express offices generally operate from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but some locations may have extended hours.
    • Convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Lawson act as drop-off points for Yamato and Sagawa, offering 24/7 access for parcel drop-offs.

4. Costs

A. Japan Post

  1. Domestic Mail:

    • Postcards: ยฅ63
    • Standard letters (up to 25g): ยฅ84
    • Yu-Pack: Starts at around ยฅ810, depending on size, weight, and distance.

  2. International Mail:

    • Postcards: ยฅ70
    • Airmail letters (up to 25g): Starts at ยฅ110.
    • EMS: Starts at ยฅ1,400 for small parcels.

B. Private Courier Services

  • Yamato Takkyubin: Prices start at around ยฅ750 for small parcels within the same region.
  • International shipping costs vary based on destination, size, and weight. For example, a small parcel to the U.S. via Yamato might cost around ยฅ2,000โ€“ยฅ3,000.

5. Procedures

A. Sending Mail or Parcels

  1. At the Post Office:

    • Fill out the appropriate forms (available in English at larger post offices).
    • Weigh your item at the counter and pay the postage fee.
    • For international mail, customs forms may be required.

  2. At Convenience Stores:

    • Drop off parcels for Yamato or Sagawa services.
    • Fill out the shipping label provided at the store.

  3. Online Services:

    • Both Japan Post and private couriers allow you to arrange pickups and print shipping labels online.

B. Receiving Mail or Parcels

  • If youโ€™re not home when a delivery is attempted, the courier will leave a missed delivery slip (ไธๅœจ็ฅจ, Fuzaihyo). You can:
    • Request redelivery online or by phone.
    • Pick up the item at the nearest post office or courier office.

6. Tips and Cultural Considerations

  1. Address Format:

    • Japanese addresses are written in reverse order compared to Western formats. Start with the postal code, followed by the prefecture, city, ward, and street address. Example: 
      ใ€’220-0012
็ฅžๅฅˆๅท็œŒๆจชๆตœๅธ‚่ฅฟๅŒบใฟใชใจใฟใ‚‰ใ„3-5-1
    • When writing in English, follow the Western format but include the postal code at the top.

  2. Politeness:

    • Staff at post offices and courier services are generally very polite and helpful. If you donโ€™t speak Japanese, larger post offices often have English-speaking staff or translation services.

  3. Convenience Store Drop-Offs:

    • Many convenience stores in Yokohama act as drop-off points for Yamato and Sagawa parcels. This is a convenient option if you canโ€™t visit a post office during regular hours.

  4. Seasonal Postcards:

    • Sending New Yearโ€™s postcards (ๅนด่ณ€็Šถ, Nengajo) is a popular tradition in Japan. These can be purchased and mailed through Japan Post, with delivery guaranteed on January 1st if sent by the deadline.

  5. Tracking:

    • Always keep the tracking number for your parcel or registered mail. You can track items online through the Japan Post website or the respective courierโ€™s website.

  6. Cash Payments:

    • Most post offices and courier services accept cash, but larger locations may also accept credit cards. Be prepared to pay in cash at smaller branches.

7. Key Locations in Yokohama

  1. Yokohama Central Post Office (ๆจชๆตœไธญๅคฎ้ƒตไพฟๅฑ€):

    • Address: 1-3 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-8799
    • Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

  2. Yamato Transport Yokohama Branch:

    • Address: 2-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012
    • Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

  3. Sagawa Express Yokohama Office:

    • Address: 3-4-1 Minami-Saiwai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0005
    • Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

By understanding these services and tips, youโ€™ll be well-equipped to handle your postal and courier needs in Yokohama. Whether youโ€™re sending a postcard, shipping a package, or receiving mail, the cityโ€™s efficient system ensures a smooth experience.