May 2, 2021 Handling everything from bank accounts, insurance to new year greetings cards, sometimes it feels like mailing a letter is the last thing you do at the yūbinkyoku (post office). Marked by its distinctive “〒” symbol, Japan Post (JP) has been a mainstay of busy shopping areas, cities, suburbs and villages since 1871. Taking inspiration from the then-General Post Office in the United Kingdom, the Japanese post office provides a n easy way for you to connect with friends and family across the country and abroad. These days, the connection offered by the post office is even more important — especially for a large part of the population who aren’t as savvy with iPads and Zoom. True, compared to the high-speed connectivity of a video call, sending letters and parcels home may seem slow and old-fashioned. However, there’s a special tactility to sending a thoughtful gift or a letter to a loved one from afar — and sometimes, such as when you’re moving house, it’s an unavoidable necessity.