坂郵便局 (Saka Post Office) Fukeiin - Saka-cho, Hiroshima

Got some great news today. My meeting was postponed to another day, so I got a full day off! Hurray! A perfect opportunity to go a little out of my way to get some fukeiin. On this day, I planned to visit two post offices along the Kure Line. I had a few choices in mind, but I would let timings and train schedules decide my fate. Yay to serendipity!

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Saka-cho Hiroshima

First things first, I've got to be honest with you all. This was my first time on the Kure Line. I had assumed that the Kure Line operation would be the same as the Sanyo Line, but I was wrong. There are two types of regular trains on the Kure Line: the local train, which stops at every station, and the Akiji Liner, a rapid service that connects Hiroshima and Kure Station in just 30 minutes. The post offices I planned to visit were mostly near local train stations, and between 10:00 and 16:00, the local train only comes once every hour. My plan was already in jeopardy, but I would adapt and prevail! Finally, I decided that I'd go to the Saka Post Office and the Kure Tenno Post Office.

I had wanted to visit the Saka Post Office last because there was something I wanted to buy in the area, but because there were no local trains, I ended up visiting it first. The post office can be reached by taking the Kure Line and getting off at the Saka Station. Good news, both local trains and Akiji Liner trains stop at Saka Station, so it's very convenient. From the station it's 600 m, or around a 10-minute walk. 

The second beginner mistake I made was underestimating the wind. I checked the weather forecast, and it said the day would be warm and sunny, but I was not prepared for the wind! Saka-cho is sandwiched between the sea and the mountain, so the winds are strong and colder than your regular sea breeze. I was dressed lightly and regretted my choice. 

Saka Post Office

Saka Post Office

Upon reaching the post office, as usual, I took the obligatory mailbox photo. The cold wind hit my hand as I took the photo, and I held the postcards tightly so they didn't fly away (it was that strong). I planned to send four postcards from this post office: one to China, one to Ukraine, one to Germany, and one to Spain. I went inside, bought a plain postcard to write my own address on, and asked the post office to put fukeiin on all the postcards.

Here, I learned that sending postcards or letters with fukeiin abroad is different from sending them within Japan. On top of the fukeiin, the post office will need to affix an international postmark, so you'll need extra spaces. Do check my fukeiin guide here for more info. The officer apologized to me because the ink on the fukeiin on my postcard was uneven, but I told him it was okay. At least it was mine and not the one I planned to send to someone else. 

Pâtisserie Le Cœur

After finishing my business at the post office, I went to my next destination in the area. I saw Patisserie Le Coeur, a local patisserie with good Google reviews, and wanted to check it out. I went inside and saw so many tempting cakes and sweets, but I realized I still had to go to one more post office, and bringing cakes with me wasn't ideal. I then decided to get some mochimugi donuts, which are one of their recommended items. Mochimugi is glutinous barley, which is healthy and fiber-rich. Plus, the mochimugi donuts last longer than regular cakes and are easier to carry. I got the matcha and the chocolate ones for my husband and me.

With donuts in one hand, I was ready to go to my next destination: Kure Tenno Post Office!

Saka Post Office Fukeiin

My postcard with the fukeiin came a few days later. As expected, the ink was uneven, so the left part was missing. Oh well. It has an image of some pine trees and an interesting-looking building, and I can't wait to know more about it.

From the Japan Post official website: "The fukeiin depicts Ebisu Pine and Saka-cho Yokohama Park." The fukeiin was launched on June 1st, 1985. I searched for 恵比須の松 (Ebisu Pine) but did not get a hit. If you know anything about it, do tell me in the comments. 坂町横浜公園 (Saka-cho Yokohama Park) is a 5.8-hectare park that offers a stunning view of the Seto Inland Sea. The building featured in the fukeiin is the observation deck. The park is popular among birdwatchers and is also a popular spot in Hiroshima for 梅 plum viewing. 

The full fukeiin is supposed to look like this, btw:

 

I'll see you all on my next fukeiin adventure!

Cheers,

Mulic