Whether you're a traveler or a foreign resident, we all want (or need) to send souvenir cards or packages. Of course, the post office can be daunting if you don't speak Japanese, but don't panic! The quality and efficiency of Japanese postal services are on par with those of the railways!
In Japan, there are a multitude of postal services. We offer you a focus on two of the main services: Japan Post and Yamato Transport (also known as Kuroneko, or "black cat").
Japan Post postal services
As its name suggests, Japan Post is the national postal company, the equivalent of our postal service. While, unfortunately, the quality of French service tends to be declining, this is not the case for its Japanese counterpart (feel free to take a look at Kanpai's article which draws parallels between the French and Japanese national postal companies).
Reliability and punctuality are the watchwords of the Japanese postal service. One example among many: if you are not home when your package is delivered, you can have it redelivered the same day or schedule a new delivery for a date and time that suits you (including Sundays!). This can be done with a single click online or in just a few minutes by phone (the service is available in English; if you speak a little Japanese, you can contact the postal worker responsible for your package directly).
Sending a parcel or letter abroad (or to Japan) couldn't be simpler! Start by creating an account on the English version of the Japan Post website. From there, you can prepare all your shipments online – no need to speak Japanese! Once you're finished, a QR code will be sent to your email address. Simply scan this QR code at a Japan Post kiosk to print all the information related to your package before handing the package and the printed information to an employee (who will also handle the payment).
Easy, quick and efficient!
Yamato Transport Postal Services
Yamato Transport (or Kuroneko, black cat in English, referring to its logo) is certainly one of the best private postal service companies in the world (That's all!).
This company prides itself on delivering absolutely everywhere in Japan and internationally. What's even more impressive is that you can drop off your packages outside of Yamato's branches. You can leave your packages at a convenience store (konbini) or arrange for home pickup. Furthermore, Yamato Transport has pioneered luggage transport: the company can pick up your bags at the airport and deliver them to your chosen location (and vice versa) in record time.
Now you have the answer to the question "Have you often come across Japanese people dragging a large suitcase?"...!
You will find here All information (in English) about the services offered and instructions.
A little anecdote which demonstrates the company's "coolness": The animated film "Kiki's Delivery Service" from Studio Ghibli is called Majo no takkyūbin (魔女の宅急便) in Japanese, literally "the witch's fast delivery service", directly referencing the service invented by Kuroneko, the takkyūbin (Ta-Q-Bin)!
Photo: Danny Choo, https://www.flickr.com/photos/dannychoo/8675736937/in/photostream/
