But really, do people even send mail anymore?
Honest to goodness paper mail is still going strong in Japan. If nothing else, we doubt it will ever be OK to send New Year’s Greeting cards electronically. How would Japan Post run their annual lottery otherwise? Thankfully, the post office keeps things entertaining for those of us who have to physically get to a box and drop our mail off to be sent. Here’s just a few of the awesome post boxes that litter the country from the tip of Hokkaido to the bottom of Kyushu.
▼ Don’t over stuff it, leave room for the joey!
▼ A penguin post box in Nagoya
▼ Japan Post, you are our rock!
▼ Surprisingly, it’s not that much busier on February 14.
▼ We have to assume this Kumamoto tanuki gets dressed for all the seasons
▼ We knew it!
▼ Mt. Fuji and Mt. Fuji!
▼ It’s not the only train car in Shinagawa Station
▼ What an adorable panda box topper!
▼ Stop! Do you have the right postage on your letter?
▼ Mail lifts the world up!
▼ It’s like a set of Russian nesting dolls
▼ Penguins make the perfect post box markers
▼ A stork is as good as a penguin, right?
▼ The sakura are always in bloom at this post box
▼ A ball of a post box!
▼ We commend the mail man who comes to collect the mail from this nightmare.
▼ Of course, the Ueno Park post box looks like a panda!
▼ Gegege-t your mail into the post box
▼ This yuki daruma (snow man) isn’t going to melt!
▼ And, as a special bonus, it doesn’t look like much, but this one is underwater!
Some of these boxes are so cleverly designed that you might even think you’re not supposed to put your mail in them. Share any fun post boxes you find in your Japan travels and let us know which one you like the best in the comments below!
Source: Sarusawa Blog via UFunk
Top image: Instagram/fugumika, Instagram/trntrnt, Instagram/pekopeko_kuro (edited by RocketNews24)
Japan’s only blue old-school post box: Where is it and why is it there?
Decorate your snail mail with cute, whimsical stamps to enhance your postage!
Japan’s postal service: So great it’ll even deliver a single leaf to your home
Creative mum takes cats and anime characters out of the bento box and into cute sushi collection
Boxing reflex balls are the best way to make you a hit on social media
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Studio Ghibli brings Totoro Soot Sprites out of the anime shadows for a new bag and pouch collection
7-Eleven Japan has a lot of famous food, but its new burrito needs to be on your radar
Japanese train company brings back beloved “patapata” departure board…with a clever digital twist
Foreign resident of Japan arrested after spraying bear repellant inside post office
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Muscly cosplayer loses fans after posting photos of his Sailor Neptune crossplay
Japan gets swept up in creative new “cherry toast” trend 【Photos】
You need to follow this Instagram account if you are learning Japanese
Cute Instagram cat teaches us about Japanese culture with hilarious cosplay photo collection
Japanese pet owner photographs cats in hats made from the cats’ own hair 【Pics】
“Watermelon dress” trend sweeps Japan 【Photos】
McDonald’s Singapore makes clever, delicious-looking use of its Instagram account【Photos】
Cute Miniature Shiba Inu dog sisters from Japan never leave each other’s side
Cute cross-eyed cat from Japan gains admirers from around the world
Annual New Year’s post dash in Japan looks like a scene from a blockbuster film【Video】
This needle felting artist is recreating people’s pet cats down to the last furry detail【Photos】
7-Eleven to hire “Sweets Ambassador” with pay of 7.11M yen for one social media post a week
Plus-size Thai model returns with even more genius low-cost food-themed cosplay
Adorable family of cats and children look out for each other during nap time and at play
Amazingly creative sculptures appear on streets around the country as heavy snowfall hits Japan
Beautiful Taiwanese sisters astound the world with their youthful good looks【Photos】