Fukei-in to jazz up your snail mail from Japan (Tokyo edition)
2018-06-10
Fukei-in to jazz up your snail mail from Japan (Tokyo edition)
One of the most popular activities when traveling is sending postcards to friends and family.
Of course, you can buy postcards in lifestyle or stationery stores but there is one more way to add a personal, special touch to your postcards.
And that is getting a seal with an image of a famous spot!
Fukei-in (風景印) are unique rubber seals available at post offices across Japan. Fukei means landscape/view and in refers to seal/stamp. You will see fukei-in with images of cultural aspects, scenic views, and other elements local to the area.
A particular pattern is used for only one area and shared with several post offices in the same area. Which stamp would you like?
Some of the seals might be available only for a limited time. From history to pop culture, don't be surprised if you find some unusual designs too. These are available free of cost too!
All you have to do is bring your mail or postcards with you to the post office and some money for postal stamps.
Note:
(1) The stamps introduced in this feature may be unavailable when you visit Japan.
(2) In order to avoid any confusion between postal stamps (to stick) and fukei-in (seal), please use the following phrase at a post office:
風景印を押してください（fuukei-in o o-shi-te ku-da-sai）http://www.post.japanpost.jp/kitte_hagaki/stamp/fuke/
Shibuya Post Office, Tokyo
The first thing that pops to your mind when you hear Shibuya is "Hachiko" - the beloved dog. So the Shibuya Post Office seal has Hachiko, an image of the Shibuya Post Office building, Mt. Fuji, which is visible from the top of the post office and irises as Meiji Jingu shrine has an iris garden.
The Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower, is located at Oshiage Station and therefore, the seal here has an image of this massive, impressive structure.
Kaminarimon of Sensoji in Asakusa is one of the most popular spots in Japan. You must have seen the huge lantern in various photographs on social media. The seal is a mini version of this lantern.
