The Tokyo Traveler » Japan Post http://www.thetokyotraveler.com About Tokyo for travelers, visitors, and residents. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:30:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Drop Me a Line via Japan Post http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/08/drop-me-a-line-via-japan-post/ http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/08/drop-me-a-line-via-japan-post/#comments Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:00:51 +0000 http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/drop-me-a-line-via-japan-post/ Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

]]> Post Office1It’s not a bad thing to use snail mail every now and again as everyone loves to get a postcard in the mail. If you want to send one from Japan to tell all your friends and family what a great time that you are having then you will need to locate a post office. It’s not that difficult, just look for the building bearing the logo that you see on the left.

Post OfficeJapan Post charges Y70 (USD $.70) to send a post card from Japan to the United States. Regular letters start at about Y100 (USD $1)and the cost is based on the size and weight of your envelope.

The selection of stamps that are offered by Japan Post is quite broad and some of them are beautiful. If you know any stamp collectors consider picking some up as they would make a great gift.

Also, did you know that envelopes in Japan are not pre-glued? You won’t be able to to lick the envelope to seal it, you will need to use tape or buy yourself a glue stick to seal a Japanese envelope. I believe that this is due to the high humidity in the summer. I have gone to use pre-glued envelopes from home only to find them stuck shut!

Photo Credit: Personal Collection

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

]]> http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/08/drop-me-a-line-via-japan-post/feed/ 2 Hello Kitty – Japan’s Famous Feline http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/07/hello-kitty-japans-famous-feline/ http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/07/hello-kitty-japans-famous-feline/#comments Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:00:12 +0000 http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/hello-kitty-japans-famous-feline/ Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

]]> Hello Kitty is a busy feline these days, and at thirty-four she is not showing any signs of slowing down, in fact she is busier than ever. Hello Kitty was recently named Tourism Ambassador to China and Hong Kong and she will be featured on limited edition postage stamps that will go on sale in Japan on July 23rd.

Hello Kitty KimonoThere are three different versions on the postage stamps, a set of Y50 stamps (Y500 for 10 stamps), a set of Y80 stamps (Y800 for 10 stamps), and a deluxe collectors set for Y6,090 that includes both of the above and several plastic netsuke, or tiny carved figures, of the couple wearing flowing “The Tale of Genji” samurai and princess robes.

Hello Kitty is not just on stamps. In the coming months you will find a 5 megaixel digital camera shaped like Hello Kitty’s face, a 512 megabyte USB memory card covered with sparkling rhinestones, and a humidifier in Hello Kitty’s image. Hello Kitty also gets paid for TV commercial appearances and has two cafes in her name in Japan.

If you are a Hello Kitty fan you will find a huge array of goods available in stores and at tourist destinations in Japan. Many items are exclusive to the Japan market so be prepared to pick them up when you see them.

Photo Credit: Flickr, Hello Kitty in Japanese dress #8524

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

]]> http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/07/hello-kitty-japans-famous-feline/feed/ 1