Japan Post Delivery Time Domestic: An Easy Guide

Japan Post runs roughly 23,290 post offices across Japan as of March 2026. It handles far more than mail. It also runs banking and insurance services under the same group.

Japan Post has detailed information about international shipping, especially for their EMS shipping.

But what about Japan Post domestic delivery time?

Japan Post delivery time domestic: All services at a glance

Times based on submission before 5:00 PM. Afternoon submissions may add one day. Shipments to or from remote islands and some rural areas may take longer than these standard times. Source: Japan Post official delivery schedule.

What time should I drop off my mail at Japan Post?

At the very least, if you submit your mail item by 5:00 pm, you can expect the delivery time below.

If you drop a mail item at a Japanese postbox, be aware of collection times. Any mail dropped off after the final collection time will be collected the following day. 

Depending on your location, larger Japan Post offices may be open later to accept mail after 5:00 pm but may not start delivery till the next morning. 

What are Japan Post's typical opening hours?

Most post offices in Japan open at 9:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM on weekdays. They stay closed on weekends and national holidays.

Larger post offices often stay open later. Some stay open until 7:00 PM or 9:00 PM on weekdays, and a few also open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Many bigger branches have a separate counter called the Yu-Yu Window (ゆうゆう窓口). It commonly runs from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, including weekends and holidays. A small number of major branches keep this counter open 24 hours.

Use the Yu-Yu Window to send letters, postcards, or packages, including Yu-Mail and Yu-Packet items, outside normal hours. You can also buy stamps there. Search the Japan Post website to find your nearest branch and its exact hours.

Note: standard letters and postcards are not delivered on Sundays, but many premium services are delivered every day of the week.

What is Japan Post's domestic delivery time?

Mostly, sending your mail item in the morning or afternoon doesn’t affect its delivery time. Otherwise, it will be stated in the table. 

Letters and postcards

Standard-sized mail, regular postcards, and reply postcards (second-class mail) fall under this category.

Large mail

Mail items considered “large mail” include non-standard-sized, third-class, fourth-class, etc.

Express

Any mail items requested for express delivery are for urgent mail, such as letters, postcards, and yu-mail.

It’s most recommended for those wanting to send an application just before the deadline.

Registered mail (simplified registered mail) and special record mail 

Registered mail allows you to keep track of the mail delivery status, including its acceptance. Japan Post will compensate the cost if the mail item is lost, not delivered, or damaged. It’s recommended for people sending important documents as gift certificates, wanting to add compensation in case of an unlikely event, or sending cash. 

Special record mail is for recipients to receive the mail and Yu-Mail receipts. It’s recommended for auction items, sending invoices, and prizes. 

Delivery time designated mail

You can choose your delivery time from the following options below:

• AM ( Around 8:00 - 12:00)

• 12:00 - 14:00

• 14:00 - 16:00

• 16:00 - 18:00

• 18:00 - 20:00

• 19:00 - 21:00

Letter Pack Plus

"Letter Pack Light" and "Letter Pack Plus" have similar delivery times, but it can take an additional day, depending on the delivery situation. Additionally, Letter Pack Plus is delivered to the door and requires a signature. Letter Pack Light is left in the recipient's postbox and does not require a signature.

Yu-Pack

Japan Post can send packages via their Yu-Pack delivery services. It can handle up to 25kg and 170 cm or less on all three sides.

Same-day delivery is available in specific urban areas, including parts of Tokyo and Osaka. Deposit your parcel by around noon to qualify. Ask at your local post office to confirm if your area is covered.

Chilled Yu-Pack

For Yu-Pack items that require refrigerators (between 0°C-5°C) from when it’s accepted at the post office to the delivery time. 

Frozen Yu-Pack

For any Yu-Pack items that will be delivered frozen (below -18°C).

Golf/Ski Yu-Pack

If you are delivering golf or ski equipment, make sure that your golf and ski date is the day after the delivery date or later. 

Yu-Packet 

Yu-Packet is for sending small packages weighing up to 1kg. The total of length, width, and height must not exceed 60cm, with the longest side no more than 34cm and a maximum thickness of 3cm.

Yu-Packet (Next Day Delivery Wide)

Similar to Yu-Packet, it’s for sending small packages weighing up to 1kg. However, this category offers fast delivery speed and can be delivered the next day and on weekends and national holidays.

How long is the delivery time for regular mail?

Japan Post categorizes regular mail as letters (standard and non-standard sized) and postcards. For mail sent within the same prefecture, delivery takes at minimum 2 days. For mail sent to another prefecture, it takes at minimum 3 days.

What optional services does Japan Post offer?

Japan Post offers several optional services on top of standard delivery. These add a small fee to your base shipping fee.

The main options include registered mail, certification of contents, and cash on delivery, among others.

Registered mail tracks your item from acceptance to delivery. It also compensates you if the item is lost or damaged.

Certification of contents proves what a document said, and who sent it to whom. The fee is 480 yen for the first sheet, plus 290 yen for each additional sheet.

Cash on delivery lets Japan Post collect a product fee along with the shipping fee from the recipient. This works well for mail-order sales or personal transactions where payment happens at delivery.

Ask at any post office counter for the exact fee and paperwork for the service you need.

Why is my Japan Post package delayed?

Holidays are not the only reason for a delayed delivery. Weather events like typhoons and heavy snow can slow down the carrier.

A high volume of mail and parcels during sales seasons can also cause delays. Address errors are a common cause too.

Double-check the recipient's address and postal code before you send a package. A missing apartment number or wrong postal code can delay delivery by several days.

If your package is late, check the specific delivery date on your receipt first. Then use the tracking service on the Japan Post website, or contact your local post office directly.

Ordinary letters and postcards are not delivered on Saturdays, Sundays, or national holidays.

However, many services do deliver on weekends and holidays, including Yu-Pack, Letter Pack Plus, Letter Pack Light, express mail, registered mail, delivery time-designated mail, and cash on delivery.

Japan Post delivery delays during peak periods

Japan Post domestic delivery times can be significantly longer during Japan's three major holiday periods.

During the New Year period (roughly December 28 to January 3), Japan Post suspends most ordinary mail delivery entirely and resumes on January 4.

Yu-Pack and express services continue operating but may experience delays of one to three additional days due to volume.

During Golden Week (late April to early May) and the Obon holiday period (mid-August), delivery times for standard mail and packages may extend by one to two days beyond the standard estimates.

Japan Post publishes advance notice of expected delays on its official website before each holiday period. If you are sending time-sensitive documents or packages around these periods, it is advisable to use express or registered mail and to submit your item at least three to five business days before your required delivery date.

You can check Japan Post service information (here ) for any national delivery updates.

Frequently asked questions

Does Japan Post deliver on the weekends?

It depends on the service. Standard letters and postcards are not delivered on Saturdays, Sundays, or national holidays. However, many Japan Post services do operate on weekends and holidays, including Yu-Pack, Letter Pack Plus, Letter Pack Light, express mail, registered mail, and delivery time-designated mail. If weekend delivery is important, choose one of these services when submitting your item.

Does USPS have locations in Japan?

No. USPS does not run retail locations inside Japan.

Japan Post handles domestic mail and outbound international shipping instead. Private companies like FedEx and UPS also ship packages to other countries from Japan.

If you want to send a letter or package to the United States, use Japan Post's international service at any post office.

Can I drop off or pick up Yu-Pack at a convenience store?

Yes. Many convenience stores partner with Japan Post to accept Yu-Pack parcels. This helps any person who cannot visit a post office during normal hours.

You can also request Yu-Pack pickup at a nearby convenience store instead of a home delivery. This works well if no one is home to sign for the package.

What do I need to fill out to send a package?

Fill out the shipping form with the recipient's full name, address, and the package or postcard type. Japan Post calculates cost based on weight and destination, and post office staff can help fill out the form at the counter. You can add registered mail for extra protection, or cash on delivery to collect payment from the recipient when the package arrives, each for a small additional fee. A completed form is also required for a specific delivery date. If you move before a package arrives, Japan Post can forward it to your new address for free.

Does Japan Post redeliver?

Yes. If a delivery attempt is unsuccessful, the Japan Post carrier will leave an attempted delivery notice (不在連絡票, fuzai renrakuhyo) in your mailbox. Scan the QR code on the notice to schedule a redelivery date and time window through the Japan Post website or app, or call the number printed on the notice. Japan Post holds undelivered items for 7 days before returning them to the sender.

How long does Japan Post take for domestic delivery?

For standard letters and postcards, delivery to another prefecture takes at least 3 days. Faster services such as Yu-Pack, Letter Pack, and express mail can reach another prefecture the next day or next night, with an added fee for express.

How do I track a Japan Post domestic package?

Japan Post provides domestic package tracking through its official website at japanpost.jp. You will need the tracking number printed on your receipt or shipping label. Most trackable services, including Yu-Pack, Letter Pack Plus, registered mail, and express mail, update their tracking status at each handling stage. Standard letters and postcards do not come with tracking by default unless registered mail is selected.

Note: Japan Post's tracking site and some request forms are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Portuguese. This helps non-Japanese speakers search for package status and fill out forms without help.

What time does Japan Post deliver domestic packages?

Japan Post typically delivers domestic packages between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM. If you select delivery time-designated mail, you can specify a delivery window: AM (8:00 to 12:00), 12:00 to 14:00, 14:00 to 16:00, 16:00 to 18:00, 18:00 to 20:00, or 19:00 to 21:00. If you miss a delivery, the carrier will leave a redelivery notice with a QR code that you can use to schedule a new delivery time via the Japan Post website or app.

How long does Japan Post keep undelivered packages?

Japan Post holds undelivered packages at the local post office for 7 days after the first delivery attempt. If the package is not collected or redelivery is not arranged within that period, it is returned to the sender. You can request redelivery online, by phone, or by scanning the QR code on the delivery notice slip left by the carrier.

Does Japan Post deliver during Golden Week and New Year holidays?

Standard mail delivery is suspended during the New Year holiday period, typically December 28 to January 3, and resumes on January 4. Yu-Pack, express mail, and other premium services continue operating during Golden Week and Obon but may experience delays of one to three days due to increased volume. Japan Post publishes holiday delivery updates on its official website before each major holiday period.

In closing

Understanding Japan Post’s domestic delivery time can help you pick the best delivery option for same-day, next-day, or standard delivery.