Japan Post Office Hours – Are They Open on Weekends?

If you want to send mail or buy stamps in Japan, you’ll need to visit a post office. Here’s a simple guide to the usual opening hours and days.

Basic Opening Hours

Most post office service counters are open from:
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday)

Some larger or special-location offices (like in business areas or shopping malls) may stay open longer.
Some offices may open later, around 10:00 AM.

Midday Closures

Some post offices have a break during lunch hours (usually 1 hour).
This break time varies — it could start at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, or 1:00 PM depending on the location.
More offices may start adding this lunch break in the future.

Watch Out for “Simplified Post Offices”

Simplified post offices (called “kan-i yūbinkyoku”) usually follow the 9 AM – 5 PM schedule.
But some of them may close earlier.

Yu-Yu Window (After-Hours Postal Service)

Many large post offices in Japan have a special service counter called the “Yu-Yu Window”, which is available outside of regular business hours.

At the Yu-Yu Window, you can:

Send letters or parcels

Pick up undelivered or missed mail

Opening hours vary by location, but many open earlier than regular counters and stay open as late as 9:00 PM.

On weekends and national holidays, hours are often shortened, and some locations may close by noon.

Note: While some Yu-Yu Windows used to operate 24/7, as of October 2024, none are open 24 hours.

What Days Are They Open?

Most post offices are open on:
Weekdays (Monday to Friday)
They are closed on weekends and national holidays.

During the New Year season, post offices close from December 31 to January 3.

Some Yu-Yu Windows are open 365 days a year, depending on the location.
A few post offices may also open on Saturdays.
Also, certain offices may close on weekdays due to building holidays or special reasons.

Tip: During the New Year and other busy seasons, hours may change. Be sure to check in advance!