• Visit date: 4. July 2024
• The visited post office: Mt Fuji 5th Stage Post Office
• Cost of sending mail: 100 YEN (0,63 Eur)
• Postcard availability: Souvenir shops and post offices offer a large selection

The story of Japan’s postal system, with its stamps and rich postal history, goes back centuries. The country’s first modern postal service began in 1871, with mail traveling professionally between Kyoto and Tokyo, as well as between Tokyo and Osaka. Before the 1920s, local delivery was mainly done by men and horses, not so different from Europe. The postal system shifted towards more modern transportation, like trains and ships, in the 1920s.

The first stamps were issued in April of 1871. The simple Japanese postal mark, introduced in 1887, is still used today. 1935 saw the debut of the first New Year’s stamp, released at the end of the year to pay postage for New Year’s cards. This stamp featured Mount Fuji, a symbol of Japan.

First of all, I have to say I love Japan. For so many reasons. Partly because things are logical and work well, but also because they have their own unique cultural charm character.
There’s plenty of clear, concise information about Japan’s postal service online, but we still managed to get caught in a bit of a bind. I was already drawn to Mount Fuji, wanting to climb to its summit.

When we found out there was a post office at the 5th station halfway up the mountain, accessible by bus or car, it was clear that our Japanese trip had to include this stop—Andry wanted to do it too. We also found information about another post office closer to the summit. Strangely, the information was conflicting—some said it was at the summit, others said it was at the 7th or 8th station. At the post office at the 5th station, we got info that the post office at the top, at 3776 meters, but it was actually only open from the 10th of July. We didn’t have the luxury of waiting that long.

I couldn’t bear to leave our postcards behind, so I carried them in my backpack as I hiked to the summit and back, spending the night at a station along the way. I hoped there might be at least a mailbox at the top. But there was no mailbox at the summit, and all the kiosks were closed. The mountain climbing season had just opened and not all services were available yet. The summit was windy, cloudy, and cold. The sun rose at four in the morning, and when the wind occasionally swept the clouds away, revealing the sunrise, the moment was even more beautiful.

We mailed our postcard 5th station at 2300 meters. I guess we’ll have to return when the post office in the top is open.

If you’ve visited this post office, share your impressions in the comments below or send me an e-mail: nexttrip123@gmail.com!

More about my trip to Japan: Japan 2024

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