Kyoku Dome: How to Receive Your Mail at a Post Office in Japan

There’s a useful service in Japan called kyoku-dome (局留め), which literally means “held at the post office.” With this service, Japan Post allows customers to use any post office as a delivery address.

It’s especially convenient when you’re moving around or not sure whether you’ll be home to receive a parcel. Travelers can also use it during a trip — for example, you can ship luggage or online purchases to a post office near your accommodation and pick them up once they arrive.

Bring Your Passport to Pick Up Your Package

Unlike picking up parcels at convenience stores, you don’t need to operate any machines or register for a membership. Just bring your ID (such as a passport) and make sure the recipient name on the parcel matches your ID exactly — nicknames won’t be accepted.

Note that parcels are held for 10 days and will be returned to the sender if not collected in time.

For more details, see the official Japan Post page (Japanese only):

郵便局留 / Kyoku-dome

For CDJapan Rental Customers

Most CDJapan Rental customers choose to receive their packages at post offices in airports. However, since airport post offices are not open 24/7, and some are not open on weekends and holidays, not everyone can use this option.

Update March 2021:
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Kansai Airport Branch of Izumisano Post Office at Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX) has been closed since March 2021. There is no longer a post office at Kansai International Airport that provides the “kyoku dome” service. If you are arriving at Kansai International Airport and want to use the “kyoku dome” service, please choose another post office in Osaka to receive your shipments.

If you’re staying at a hotel, receiving mail there is a good option. Large hotels often handle this as part of their service, but some smaller accommodations don’t. Note that many capsule hotels do not accept mail for their guests. It’s best to check with your accommodation in advance.

Receiving mail at a friend’s house or an Airbnb is also an option, but you need to be prepared. For more details, read this post: How to Receive Mail at an Airbnb Apartment Address.

When our customers are unsure about the delivery address, we always recommend receiving the package at a post office. It is a very safe option.

Using 24/7 Post Offices to Receive Your Mail

Most small post offices in Japan close early, typically around 6 PM on weekdays, and remain closed during weekends and holidays.

However, some larger branches, usually near major train stations, have a service counter known as the “Yu-Yu Window” (ゆうゆう窓口 or yu-yu madoguchi). The Yu-Yu Window allows you to purchase stamps, send packages, and retrieve packages you’ve sent to the post office, all at your convenience, as it’s open around the clock.

What is a Yu-Yu Window?

You can check the list of 24-hour post offices in the following post:

24-Hour Post Offices in Japan