Where To Buy Stamps In Japan: Post Offices, Conbini, & More

You can buy stamps (切手, kitte) in Japan at any Japan Post office, at most convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart, at some supermarkets and station kiosks, and online from the Japan Post online shop. A domestic postcard needs an 85 yen stamp and a standard letter up to 50g needs 110 yen, rates that have applied since October 1, 2024. Post offices accept cards, Suica, and smartphone payments for stamps, while most convenience stores want cash.

Stamps also pay for parcels. At a post office counter, you can use them toward Yu-Pack, whose rates rose by an average of about 10% on October 1, 2026 and now start at 840 yen. You can also use them for Yu-Packet, now a flat 360 yen.

This guide covers where to buy stamps, what each one is for, how to pay without cash, and how to use your stamps for Yu-Pack and Yu-Packet.

📝Quick answer: where to purchase stamps in Japan

You can buy stamps in Japan at:

• Japan Post offices (most reliable, widest selection)

• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, Ministop, and others; stock varies by store)

• Major train station kiosks

• Supermarkets/department stores (customer service desks)

• Online stores (the Japan Post online shop, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Auctions)

• Most convenient: conbini, open 24/7 but usually cash only.

• Most complete: post offices, which weigh your mail, sell every denomination and special stamps, take cards and Suica, and accept stamps as payment for Yu-Pack.

Good to know before you start

The Japanese word for stamp is kitte (切手). Look for the 〒 symbol at a store or building to confirm it handles mail.

Post boxes are red and easy to spot on any street. Most have two slots: one for letters and postcards, and one for bulkier items like small packages.

Writing the address: For international mail, write the destination address in English. For domestic mail within Japan, write the address in Japanese so it sorts correctly.

Who can buy Japanese stamps?

Residents and tourists can buy stamps in Japan. Stamps are generally not included in standard tax-free shopping programs.

Can I use Japanese stamps abroad?

Japanese stamps can be used for both domestic and international mail, as long as the item is posted in Japan via Japan Post.

Postage stamps are generally issued by the country’s postal system from which you are mailing. Therefore, you will use stamps in Japan when sending items through the Japan Post system, even if the destination is another country.

Can I use regular stamps for international mail?

Yes. Letters and postcards both travel through Japan Post, but they price differently.

Letters use zone-based pricing. Japan Post sorts every country into one of five zones, and the zone sets the rate.

Postcards use one flat rate. Every country pays the same postcard rate, no matter the destination.

Heavier letters cost more in every zone. Confirm the exact postage at a Japan Post counter before you mail anything heavy or unusual.

For more details, see Japan Post’s Overseas Fee (in Japanese).

However, if you're unsure which stamp to use for international mail, visit your local Japanese post office. Staff will attach the correct postage for you.

Types of international mail

Japan Post splits international mail into three categories.

• Letter post covers letters and postcards, each priced differently.

• Parcel post covers packages and larger items, sent by sea or air.

• EMS (Express Mail Service) is the fastest option, with tracking included.

Letters price by weight and destination zone. Postcards use one flat rate, no matter the destination.

EMS reaches more than 120 countries and regions. Most EMS packages can weigh up to 30kg, though the limit depends on the destination; for the Philippines, for example, it is 20kg. EMS includes free compensation up to 20,000 yen.

All postage prices in Japan include tax. The price on the counter or the stamp is the final price you pay.

What type of Japanese stamps can I buy?

Japanese stamps for postage usage can be in 3 categories:

• Regular stamps

• Commemorative stamps

• Special edition stamps

Japan has issued its own postage stamps since 1871, when the modern postal system founded by Hisoka Maejima began operating.

💡 Not the same as eki stamps. Free souvenir stamps at train stations, called eki stamps, are a different thing entirely. Eki stamps are rubber ink stamps for a keepsake book, not postage. This guide covers postage stamps only.

Where to buy stamps in Japan?

Since we’ve answered the most common questions, let’s find out where you can buy stamps in Japan. 

1. Japan Post offices

Inside of a Japan Post office | Image via MyTravelGeno

The local Japanese post office is the number one place in Japan to get stamps.

The nearest post office might have an area where you can buy specialty stamps and postcards. If not, you’ll have to go to the counter to buy stamps.

There are two main ways to buy stamps in Japan. One way is to buy a sheet of Japanese stamps. To know which stamps to place on your mail, look at Japan Post’s postage calculator. Then, take your mail with the stamp to the Japanese post box.

The second option is to go directly to the post office counter, where the staff will assist in calculating the correct postage for you. This option allows you to skip the postage calculations and any extra stamps.

Japan Post stamps regular stamps and summer options

When sending postcards or stamps at the counter, you can request special stamps by asking:

• 特殊切手を使ってください (tokushu kitte o tsukatte kudasai): I would like to use the special stamps

• If you want to use any commemorative stamps, replace 特殊切手 (tokushu kitte) with 記念切手 (kinen kitte)

You can also ask for ふるさと切手 (furusato kitte). These are hometown special stamps made for a specific local area.

Gotōchi postcards: a local souvenir

Post offices also sell gotōchi postcards. Each one shows a local specialty from a single prefecture.

You can only buy a prefecture's gotōchi postcard at post offices inside that prefecture. Buy them as a souvenir, or write and mail them to friends back home.

Other services at the post office counter

The post office counter handles more than stamps. For parcels within Japan, ask about Yu-Pack (ゆうパック). For packages abroad, ask about EMS or international parcel post (国際小包, kokusai kozutsumi), since Yu-Pack only delivers within Japan.

Most international mail travels by air mail. You can request express mail service for a faster delivery at a higher cost.

Surface mail costs less but takes longer. Ask the counter staff which option fits your budget and timeline. See Types of international mail above for the full breakdown.

Yu-Pack prices changed on October 1, 2026. Japan Post raised Yu-Pack base rates by an average of about 10%, so a 60-size parcel now starts at 840 yen. Letter, postcard, and Letter Pack postage did not change, so the stamps you need for ordinary mail are the same as before. See Using stamps for Yu-Pack and Yu-Packet below.

Banking and other services at Japan Post

Japan Post offices do more than sell stamps and process mail. Here's what else the counter can help with.

• Banking services. Open a bank account and withdraw money at most Japan Post branches.

• Sending money home. Use Japan Post's banking services to send money to family through international transfer.

• Life insurance. Japan Post sells life insurance policies directly at post office counters.

• Mail forwarding. Moving house? Post offices offer a forwarding service so your mail follows you to the new address.

2. Convenience Stores

Look for the 〒 sign to see if the conbini sells stamps and postcards 

Japanese convenience stores, also known as conbini, sell stamps at the major chains, including 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, and Ministop. They mainly stock everyday denominations such as 85 yen and 110 yen, and the selection varies by store. Look for the 〒 sign, and remember that conbini staff won't weigh your mail for you.

They are the perfect alternative stamp shop if the Japanese post office is closed, as most conbini are 24/7.

To get stamps in Japan from a convenience store, you will need to go to the counter and ask for them. You can say:

• すみません、切手をください (sumimasen, kitte wo kudasai): Excuse me, I would like stamps, please.

The convenience store staff will then ask how many, and you can hold up as many fingers as you like to indicate how many you would like to buy.

3. Supermarkets and department stores

While these are not the typical places to purchase stamps in Japan, they are still worth checking when you are already out shopping.

Larger chains, such as Aeon or Ito-Yokado, usually have stamps available to purchase at the customer service counter. The same location is usually used for tax-free goods.

4. Kiosks and station shops

A kiosks in the train station

Many major stations will have these kiosks, also called station shops. Think of it like a mini conbini or corner store where commuters and travelers can quickly buy snacks, drinks, omiyage, and sometimes stamps.

Large connecting stations like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, and Osaka Station have kiosks that sell stamps. However, availability varies by location.

5. Online purchase options

Plenty of online shops in Japan allow you to purchase stamps online.

• Japan Post: a reliable online stamp site to purchase regular, seasonal, and limited edition stamps. The Japan Post online shop charges shipping of a few hundred yen per order, so it works best for bulk or specialty purchases.

• Yahoo! Auctions: a marketplace where people sell unused stamps, including older and commemorative issues, often below face value. Mercari only allows used stamps, so it isn't an option for postage.

• Rakuten: an online shop where you can get points and Rakuten Points, too!

• Yushu: a site that houses stamps from all over Japan and the rest of the world. Buy your stamps here for postage usage or as a collectible.

For these shops, it’s best to use a Japanese credit card to not have any transaction issues.

Bonus: mail from the airport

Both Haneda and Narita airports have post boxes, so you can send a last-minute postcard before your flight home. Post boxes are usually in the public areas of the terminal, before security, so post your mail before you pass through the checkpoint. Terminal layouts change, so check the airport's floor guide for the nearest post box or post office.

Bonus: Special events

Character and anniversary stamp sets are often sold for a limited time, sometimes only at a single shop or event venue.

Doraemon stamps limited editions

Following your favorite character’s social media accounts will notify you when these special stores are open and if stamps are sold.

You can also search for your favorite character stamps from any online shop.

Bonus: Skip stamps entirely with Letter Pack

Letter Pack envelopes come at one flat rate, with postage and tracking already included: 430 yen for Letter Pack Light (up to 4kg and 3cm thick, delivered to the mailbox) and 600 yen for Letter Pack Plus (up to 4kg, handed over with a signature). Both are A4 size, and their prices did not change on October 1, 2026. Buy one at a Japan Post office or a convenience store.

Seal your letter or documents inside, then drop it in a post box. No stamp needed, and the price stays the same anywhere in Japan.

Using stamps for Yu-Pack and Yu-Packet (October 2026 prices)

Stamps aren't just for letters. At a post office counter, Japan Post accepts stamps as payment for Yu-Pack (ゆうパック), its domestic parcel service. You can combine stamps with cash if they don't cover the full amount. That makes Yu-Pack the easiest way to use up a drawer of old or odd-value stamps.

The catch is where you send it. Convenience stores and other Yu-Pack drop-off points accept cash only, so stamps have to go over a post office counter.

Here's what each parcel service costs after the October 1, 2026 revision, and whether stamps work:

Service	Price from Oct 1, 2026	Pay with stamps?	Tracking
Yu-Pack (60 size, same prefecture)	840 yen	Yes, at a post office counter only	Yes, plus up to 300,000 yen coverage
Yu-Pack (60 size, Tokyo to Kinki)	1,090 yen	Yes, at a post office counter only	Yes
Yu-Pack (170 size, Tokyo to Okinawa)	5,870 yen	Yes, at a post office counter only	Yes
Yu-Packet (up to 3cm, 1kg)	360 yen flat (was 250 to 360 yen)	Yes, attach stamps to the label	Yes, no compensation
Click Post (up to 2kg)	240 yen (was 185 yen)	No, paid online	Yes, no compensation
Letter Pack Light / Plus	430 / 600 yen (unchanged)	No, postage built in	Yes

Yu-Pack base rates rose by an average of about 10%. Parcels within the same prefecture rose about 2%, and parcels of 140 size and above going to other prefectures rose about 20%. For every size and region, see the full October 2026 Yu-Pack rate table in our guide to sending mail in Japan.

Japan postage rates in 2026: which stamp you need

Mail type	Postage	Notes
Postcard (はがき)	85 yen	Up to 10.7cm × 15.4cm
Return postcard (往復はがき)	170 yen
Standard letter (定形郵便, up to 50g)	110 yen	Up to 23.5cm × 12cm × 1cm
Non-standard, within standard size (規格内)	140 yen (50g), 180 yen (100g), 750 yen (1kg)	Up to 34cm × 25cm × 3cm and 1kg
Non-standard, outside standard size (規格外)	260 yen (50g), 290 yen (100g), 920 yen (1kg)	Up to 60cm long side, 90cm combined, 4kg
Smart Letter (スマートレター)	210 yen	Prepaid A5 envelope, no stamp needed
Yu-Packet (ゆうパケット)	360 yen (from Oct 1, 2026)	Pay with stamps
International postcard (airmail)	100 yen	Any country

Letter and postcard rates changed on October 1, 2024, and did not change again when Yu-Pack rates rose on October 1, 2026. Older stamps never expire, but you may need to top them up. Japan Post issued difference stamps of 16, 22, 26, and 40 yen in September 2024 for this; for example, an old 63 yen stamp plus a 22 yen stamp covers an 85 yen postcard.

Postcard size limits

Standard postcards sold at post office counters measure 10cm × 14.8cm. If you make your own postcard, keep it within 10.7cm × 15.4cm to qualify for the postcard rate.

A postcard larger than this limit gets charged as a letter instead. Check the size before you buy stamps or drop it in a post box.

Cashless payments for buying stamps in Japan (what you can and cannot use)

Japan may be one of the most cashless-friendly countries in the world—but oddly enough, you can’t always buy stamps with cashless payments.

Location	Cash	Credit card	Suica / Pasmo	Smartphone pay
Post offices (cashless-enabled)	✔ Yes	✔ Yes (limit 100,000 yen per stamp purchase)	✔ Yes (not PiTaPa)	✔ Yes
Simple post offices (簡易郵便局)	✔ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	⚠ Some brands only
7-Eleven	✔ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	nanaco only
FamilyMart	✔ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	FamiPay only
Lawson	✔ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Ministop	✔ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	WAON only
Supermarkets / department stores	✔ Yes	⚠ Varies	⚠ Varies	⚠ Varies
Station kiosks	✔ Yes	⚠ Varies	⚠ Varies	⚠ Varies
Online stores	❌ No	✔ Yes	–	⚠ Varies

Here's how payments actually work across different stamp-purchasing locations.

1. Japan Post

At most Japan Post branches, you can use:

✅Accepted:

• Cash

• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, etc.)

• Debit cards

• Suica / Pasmo / Icoca

• Smartphone payments such as PayPay, d Barai, au PAY, Rakuten Pay, and Yucho Pay

BUT: Simple post offices (簡易郵便局, kan-i yubinkyoku), which are small contracted branches, accept only some smartphone payments, not credit cards or IC cards. Cashless payments for stamps are capped at 100,000 yen per transaction.

2. Convenience stores (conbini)

Although 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are extremely cashless-friendly for normal purchases, stamps fall under “non-cashless items” in many chains.

Most conbini treat stamps like:

• Prepaid cards

• Gift cards

• Bill payments

• Ticketing services

…and therefore require cash.

What this means for you:

If you're buying stamps at a convenience store:

• 👉 Expect to pay in cash. The exceptions are 7-Eleven (nanaco), FamilyMart (FamiPay), and Ministop (WAON). Lawson is cash only.

• 👉 Even if the store accepts Suica/PayPay for snacks, they may refuse cashless payment for stamps.

3. Supermarkets & department stores

Large chains such as Aeon or Ito-Yokado often sell stamps at:

• ✅Customer service counters

• ✅Gift processing counters

• ✅Tax-free service desks

However, like conbini, some locations restrict cashless payments for stamps.

If allowed, you can typically use:

• Major credit cards

• Some QR payments (PayPay, Rakuten Pay)

But if stamps are categorized as “special items,” they may be cash-only.

4. Station Kiosks (KIOSK, NewDays)

Station kiosks like NewDays may allow:

• Suica / Pasmo

• Cash

Credit cards are hit-or-miss, and some may only accept cash for stamps.

Because these kiosks operate under JR rather than Japan Post, rules vary widely by station.

5. Online stores

Online purchases are the easiest way to ensure cashless payment:

Japan Post online store:

• ✅Credit cards

• ✅Some digital wallets

Rakuten, Mercari, Yushu, etc.:

• ✅Credit cards

• ✅Rakuten Pay

• ✅Digital points

Some sellers require a Japanese credit card to avoid international verification issues.

Tips on how and where to buy stamps in Japan

Tip 1: how to know which stamp to use in Japan

You've probably noticed that Japan has different yen stamps, such as 85 yen and 110 yen stamps.

So how do you know which one to place on your postcard or mail? Here is a simple guide for you:

• 85 yen stamp: for regular postcards, including New Year cards (nengajo)

• 110 yen stamp: for standard mail up to 50g

• 140 yen stamp: non-standard mail up to 50g within standard size (up to 34cm × 25cm × 3cm); larger items up to 50g need 260 yen

For reference, 3-4 pages of A4 paper weighs about 25g. However, you also have to take into account the envelope’s weight and the paper inside the mail.

So it’s best to weigh the entire item together, stamp it with the appropriate stamp, and put it in a Japanese post box.

These stamps are for domestic reference as it will change based on the destination address. When sending international mail, it’s best to go to a Japan Post office where they will attach the correct postage for you. 

(Note: ¥140 also happens to be the international airmail rate for standard-sized letters up to 25g to the USA, but the stamp amounts should not be confused—always check the specific mail type and destination.)

Tip 2: asking for speciality stamps

For regular stamps, saying “切手をください (kitte wo kudasai)” would suffice enough. However, asking for special or limited design stamps is a little more complicated.

Other sources would have you say きれい切手 (kirei kitte), but kirei has two meanings: clean and pretty, with "clean" being used more often as the meaning.

A better phrasing would be 特殊切手 (tokushu kitte), 記念切手 (kinen kitte), or even 限定切手 (gentei kitte), which mean "special stamps," "commemorative stamps," and "limited stamps," respectively.

Frequently asked questions

What are the opening hours for buying stamps in Japan?

Most Japan Post offices sell stamps at the counter from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and close on weekends and national holidays, although larger post offices in major cities and stations often have longer hours. Convenience stores are open 24 hours, which makes them the easiest place to buy standard stamps after hours or on holidays. Busy post offices use a numbered ticket system, so take a ticket at the entrance and wait for your number.

Can I buy stamps with a credit card in Japan?

Yes, at post offices that accept cashless payment, which take credit, debit, and prepaid cards as well as transport IC cards and smartphone payments, with a limit of 100,000 yen per stamp purchase. Smaller simple post offices (簡易郵便局, kan-i yubinkyoku) accept only some smartphone payments, not cards. Convenience stores generally do not accept credit cards for stamps. 7-Eleven accepts nanaco, FamilyMart accepts FamiPay, and Ministop accepts WAON for stamps, while Lawson is cash only.

Can I use Suica or Pasmo to purchase stamps?

Yes, at post offices that accept cashless payment, which take transport IC cards such as Suica, Pasmo, and ICOCA, although PiTaPa is not accepted. Simple post offices do not accept IC cards, and convenience stores generally do not accept Suica or Pasmo for stamps. Station kiosks vary by shop, so ask before you pay.

Where can I purchase stamps without using cash?

Post offices that accept cashless payment are the most reliable option, taking cards, transport IC cards, and smartphone payments such as PayPay. At convenience stores, 7-Eleven accepts nanaco, FamilyMart accepts FamiPay, and Ministop accepts WAON for stamps. You can also buy stamps online from the Japan Post online shop by credit card.

Where is the cheapest place to buy stamps in Japan?

Stamps have the same face value everywhere, because Japan Post sets the price. The only way to pay less is to buy unused stamps second-hand, for example at discount ticket shops (金券ショップ, kinken shoppu), where regular stamp sheets often sell for around 90% of face value, or on Yahoo! Auctions, since Mercari does not allow unused stamps to be listed. Japanese stamps do not expire. Japanese stamps do not expire, so second-hand stamps work as postage as long as they are unused.

Are old Japanese stamps still valid?

Yes. Japanese postage stamps do not expire, so older stamps can still be used after the October 2024 rate increase as long as you add enough to reach the current rate. Japan Post issued small difference stamps of 16, 22, 26, and 40 yen in September 2024 to make topping up easier, for example adding a 22 yen stamp to an old 63 yen stamp for an 85 yen postcard.

How do I know which stamp to use for a postcard in Japan?

Use an 85 yen stamp for a domestic postcard and a 100 yen stamp for an international airmail postcard to any country. A postcard must be no larger than 10.7cm by 15.4cm to get the postcard rate, or it is charged as a letter. If you have old 63 yen stamps, add a 22 yen stamp to reach the current 85 yen rate.

Can I pay for Yu-Pack with stamps?

Yes, but only at a post office counter. Japan Post accepts stamps toward Yu-Pack shipping, and you can combine them with cash if they do not cover the full amount, which makes Yu-Pack a good way to use up old stamps. Convenience stores that accept Yu-Pack take cash only, so stamps cannot be used there.

How much does Yu-Pack cost from October 1, 2026?

From October 1, 2026, a 60-size Yu-Pack (up to 60cm in combined length, width, and height) costs 840 yen within the same prefecture, after Japan Post raised base rates by an average of about 10%. From Tokyo, the same parcel costs 970 yen to nearby regions such as Kanto and Tohoku, 1,090 yen to Kinki, 1,550 yen to Hokkaido or Kyushu, and 1,600 yen to Okinawa. Letter, postcard, and Letter Pack postage did not change on October 1, 2026, so your stamps for ordinary mail stay the same.

What stamps do I need for Yu-Packet?

From October 1, 2026, Yu-Packet costs a flat 360 yen for any item up to 3cm thick, 1kg, and 60cm in combined size, replacing the old 250, 310, and 360 yen thickness tiers. Pick up a Yu-Packet address label at a post office, attach 360 yen in stamps, and drop it in a post box or hand it in at the counter. Yu-Packet includes tracking but no compensation for loss or damage.

Can I buy envelopes at the same place I buy stamps?

Yes. Envelopes are sold at Japan Post offices, convenience stores, station kiosks, and supermarkets. If you need air mail envelopes, your best option is the Japan Post office, where you can get official "Air Mail" blue and red designs.

How do I send air mail from Japan?

Take your letter or postcard to a post office counter and say eameru de onegaishimasu (エアメールでお願いします), and the staff will weigh it and sell you the right stamps. International postcards cost a flat 100 yen by airmail to any country, while letters are priced by zone, for example 120 yen to South Korea and 140 yen to the US for a standard letter up to 25g. If you already know the postage, write AIR MAIL on the envelope, add the stamps yourself, and drop it in a post box.

Will my letter be delivered on the same day if I mail it in Japan?

No. Ordinary mail in Japan is not delivered on the same day, and since October 2021 it usually arrives two or more days after posting, with no delivery on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. For faster delivery, ask for express mail (速達, sokutatsu) at the post office, which costs the base postage plus 300 yen for items up to 250g and is delivered every day, including weekends.

In closing 

So now you know where to buy stamps in Japan and how to use them. Whether you are in Japan for the long or short term, these stamps let you send mail domestically and abroad, and even pay for a Yu-Pack at the post office counter.

If you're outside Japan and still need letters sent or received there, a mail management service can handle it for you.