Before you can send a postcard, you need to find the perfect one! Japan is a stationery lover's paradise, and its postcard selection is no exception. Beyond the standard scenic cards, you'll find an incredible variety of cute, creative, and traditional designs that reflect Japan's rich culture.

While many stores carry postcards, a few key places offer a wide and diverse selection. Post offices are a reliable stop, even if they mostly offer basic prints. In tourist areas like Asakusa or Shibuya, local souvenir shops are an excellent source for landmark-themed cards.

For a truly impressive range of cute, artistic, and unique postcards, be sure to visit lifestyle stores like Loft and Hands, where you can spend a significant amount of time choosing your favorite card. Additionally, museum and art gallery gift shops often sell postcards featuring their collections or special exhibits, while specialty stationery stores and large bookstores like Kinokuniya and Tsutaya also provide a curated selection of both traditional and modern designs.

Now that you’ve found the perfect postcard, it’s time to write the address. You might wonder, "How should I write the address since Japan uses characters and not the alphabet?" Don’t worry, it’s perfectly okay to write the destination address in English. The main things to note are to clearly indicate the country you want to send the card to in English (and have a "TO:" in front of this block), as well as to write “AIR MAIL” in the bottom corner (this is very important!). If you include your return address, be sure to indicate it with a "FROM:" in front of it.

Of course, no postcard is good without a stamp. In Japan, stamps are available at convenience stores and post offices, as well as in certain souvenir shops and tourist information centers. The Japanese word for stamp is “kitte,” so it’s also worth looking for signs with 〒 or 切手 written on them.

Following the October 2024 postage rate increase, a stamp for a regular 100mm x 148mm postcard now costs 85 yen for a domestic address. For an international address, including countries such as Taiwan, China, the United States, Australia, and all of Europe, the cost by airmail is 100 yen. Should your card be larger than a standard postcard, such as a special edition, you’ll have to pay a bit more, so be sure to ask the staff directly for the correct postage.

This question may seem weird, but Japanese mailboxes have no one but two slots. Generally, public mailboxes are easy to spot in Japan, as their color is red and immediately catches the eye.

Now, to the slots: they are divided into “letters/postcards” on the left and “other mail” on the right. Even if you don’t speak Japanese, they’re easy to tell apart, as the narrower slot indicates postcard-sized mail by itself! The larger slot is for bulkier items such as larger letters and small parcels. Don’t worry – even if you happen to put your mail in the wrong slot, the postal staff will sort it afterward.

If you’re sending your postcard via a post office, the first thing you’ll have to do is take a numbered ticket and stand in line. Currently, a lot of post offices employ multilingual staff, so don’t be shy to bring up any questions you might have. For more complicated requests, it can be helpful to use a translation app on your phone to show the staff exactly what you need.

One tip: Post offices typically will use metered postage instead of stamps. If you want to ensure a pretty stamp gets affixed to the postcard, be sure to ask staff for a "kirei na kittei" (indicating a stamp with a picture). Often the staff will then present you with a few options from which to choose. As for payment, while cash is always accepted, many post offices now also accept credit cards and popular IC cards like Suica and Pasmo for purchasing stamps and other postal services.

Post office hours are typically from 9 AM to 5 PM, closed on weekends and national holidays. Big offices, such as the Tokyo Central Post Office or the Shinjuku Post Office, tend to be open until 9 PM and on Saturdays.

To avoid long waits, try to visit during off-peak hours. In big cities, post offices are typically busiest right after they open, during the lunch hour between 12 PM and 1 PM, and in the late afternoon after 4 PM. Visiting mid-morning or mid-afternoon on a weekday will usually result in a much shorter wait.

For further details, please see the post office search on the Japan Post website.

It is possible to send your last postcard from the airport before you fly home. However, it's crucial to know exactly where to look, as mailboxes and, at some airports, full-service post office counters are always located before the departure area, so once you’ve passed the security check, you'll have missed your chance to send that last postcard! Here is a short guide on where to find postal services at popular airports in Japan.

The short answer is no. If you have a postcard at hand, you can purchase stamps directly at the convenience store counter (make sure you buy a stamp of the correct value). However, convenience stores generally do not offer a full international mail service from the counter. Instead, place the correctly stamped postcard in one of the aforementioned red mailboxes, which are often located directly outside or nearby convenience stores in popular areas. Keep in mind that the convenience store staff likely won’t be able to answer mail-related questions, so if there’s anything you’re not quite sure about, the safer choice is the post office.

If you make a small mistake on the address, the postal service may still be able to deliver it. However, if the address is incorrect and there is no return address, the postcard may be discarded. To ensure it arrives, double-check your address and always include your return address on the back.

For postcards that are an unusual size, weight, or thickness, you should not treat them as standard postcards. They will require different postage and should be taken to a post office counter. The staff can weigh your unique card to ensure you have the correct postage.

With a little planning, sending a postcard from Japan is a fun and easy way to share your memories with friends and family back home. Whether you choose to send a classic view of Tokyo or a unique, creative design, your message will be a special and memorable souvenir. Enjoy the process, and happy postcard sending!

*This article was originally published in 2020 and updated in August 2025.