Japan Post will soon launch weekend post office services in popular tourist areas, starting this June. The new plan aims to improve service flexibility, reduce weekday operations, and better serve travelers.
The first location to test weekend post office services will be Magome Post Office in Nakatsugawa, Gifu Prefecture. This office is located along the scenic streets of Magomejuku, a historic site that once served as a major travel hub.
According to internal company documents, Magome Post Office will open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during spring through fall. During these weekend post office services, customers can access postal and retail services, although banking and insurance will not be available.
To balance resources, the weekday schedule at Magome Post Office will shrink. It will now operate only from 9 a.m. to noon, reducing weekday hours by five hours.
Moreover, Japan Post will adjust the nearby Kawaue Post Office’s weekday hours. That branch will now open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., allowing staff to assist with the new weekend shifts.
Japan Post officials stated they will consider expanding weekend post office services if the trial period proves successful. The shift represents a larger strategy aimed at optimizing operations and improving service efficiency across the nation.
Additionally, two post offices in a small Gunma Prefecture town will adopt half-day operations due to decreasing usage. These changes support Japan Post’s plan to adapt to digital trends and customer behavior.
As online communication rises, Japan Post faces financial challenges maintaining a vast physical network. With yearly operating costs reaching 1 trillion yen ($6.98 billion), restructuring has become vital.
As a result, many branches nationwide are cutting hours or adding midday closures to ease the burden.
Weekend post office services could provide a modern solution while preserving essential public access in key locations.
