Postal and Delivery Services / Transportation

Postal Services

Post offices in Japan handle not only postal services, but also various financial and insurance services.
Stamps can also be purchased at convenience stores and other places that display the postal symbol “〒”.

Delivery Services

If you need to send a package urgently, the fastest and most reliable method is takuhaibin (courier service). Within Japan, it can be delivered the next day or the day after. You can either arrange a courier company to pick up the parcel, or send it from a convenience store.
Please note that some items may be prohibited or restricted for international shipping, depending on the destination country.

■Domestic Courier Services

■International Courier Services

Public Transportation (trains, subways, monorails and buses)

The Kansai region has an extensive transportation network.
When using buses or trains, it is convenient to purchase an IC card such as ICOCA or PiTaPa.
You can also load a commuter pass onto the card and use it as electronic money for shopping at affiliated stores. IC cards can be purchased at station ticket machines or service counters.

■Trains (JR, private railways, subways and monorails)

≪ICOCA≫
The ICOCA card can be purchased at JR West stations, at “Midori no Madoguchi" (ticket offices that handle ICOCA), or ticket machines displaying the ICOCA symbol.

≪PiTaPa≫
The PiTaPa card is a post-paid card that can be used on many trains and buses in the Kansai region. Fares are automatically debited from your designated bank account each month.
You can purchase it online or by mailing in an application form.
https://www.pitapa.com/

≪Student Discount≫ For full-time students only

• Commuter Pass
  

Two types of commuter passes are available for trains, subways, and buses: student passes and general passes.
Undergraduate and graduate students can purchase student commuter passes, while research students, auditing students, and other non-regular students must purchase regular commuter passes.
For more details, please check the website of each transportation provider.

• Special Rate for Students

JR offers a 20% discount on one-way fares for trips of 100km or more if you present a student discount certificate issued by the university. This discount is available only to undergraduate and graduate students. A maximum of 10 student discounts can be issued per year.

■Buses

■Taxis

You can find taxis at taxi stands located at stations and public facilities, or hail them on the street.
In addition, you can also request a taxi through a taxi-hailing app or calling a taxi company. (Note: Additional fees usually apply.)

The passenger-side door opens and closes automatically. Since most taxi drivers do not speak foreign languages, it is recommended to show the driver your destination written in Japanese or a map.

Taxi fares vary depending on the city and the size of the vehicle. Surcharges apply during late-night and early-morning hours.
Fares are calculated based on both time and distance. Tipping is not necessary.

● Taxi fares in Osaka prefecture (as of 31 May 2023)
*Source: Website of Osaka Prefectural Government
Please note that the following is for reference only and subject to change.

■Airlines

The Kansai region has three airports.

Flight reservations can be made by phone, online, or at travel agencies.
The major domestic airlines operating in the Kansai region are as follows: