広島JPビル郵便局 (Hiroshima JP Building Post Office) Fukeiin - Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima

It's been a while since I last posted here. I have been going to post offices to collect fukeiin, send postcards, and explore the surrounding areas as usual, but I have been very slow to update my social media or even my postcard swap journal; the backlog is crazy lol. 

However, I've been updating the Hiroshima Fukeiin page with all the post offices I have visited so far, so you can find the information there. After doing a quick check, I realized I've been visiting more than 30 post offices with fukeiin in Hiroshima so far. Not too bad. I hope to visit many more post offices, especially in other cities. 

HIT Hiroshima Ambassador Event

Some of you might already know, but earlier this year, I officially became a HIT Hiroshima Tourism Ambassador (you can read more about it here). As an ambassador, I get invited to events and stuff, and this day was one such day. I received an email inviting me to the launch of new Hirokuma manholes. 

Hirokuma is the official mascot character of Hiroshima and also a HIT Hiroshima Tourism Ambassador. It's a yellow bear (kuma) with a lemon motif. If you get close to Hirokuma, you can faintly smell lemon candy from its body lol. As a prefecture mascot, Hirokuma isn't as popular as Kumamon (Kumamoto), but I think it's very cute lol. 

I don't know how many of you who have been to Japan or live there are aware of this, but Japan is known for its unique manholes. Yeah, manholes. Every city in Japan has its own manhole designs, and you can find colorful ones in certain places (usually near tourist places). There are even Pokémon manholes, and some people travel far to visit them and collect manhole cards and merchandise. 

Hiroshima Prefecture launched 5 new Hirokuma manholes, which will be installed in 5 different towns/cities in the prefecture. Each manhole is unique and features Hiroshima as well as popular food and landmarks from the town/city. The manholes will be installed in Hiroshima, Onomichi, Etajima, Fuchuu, and Akiota. I have never been to Etajima, Fuchuu, or Akiota, and I guess it's a sign to visit them and collect the fukeiin there too. 

After the official launch by the Hiroshima Tourism Agency and representatives from each town/city, there was a talk with the CEO of the manhole maker and the maker of manhole collectible cards. I learned that the special-colored manholes are made individually, and their coloring is done manually by manhole craftsmen. A lot of thought went into the design, especially regarding safety. I guess it's really Japanese-like to transform ugly and undesired manholes into something that people want to travel for. The ambassadors were allowed to take pictures with Hirokuma and the manholes after the event, and of course, I didn't want to miss the opportunity. 

Fukuya Department Store

After the event, I went to Fukuya Department Store, which was recently renovated. Fukuya is connected to the atrium where the event took place. I wanted to check the bookstore there to get some postcards to send or add to my collection. Then I saw this sign

Ito Junji Pop Up store??!! How come I didn't know about it??!!! I headed directly to Junkudo Bookstore on the 6th floor. If I didn't go to the Hirokuma Manhole event, I would've missed it.

The pop-up store had various Ito Junji manga, including some collector's editions, as well as a lot of merchandise. I've never been this much Ito Junji stuff out in the open, so I was excited. I used to read Ito Junji's works when I was in middle school. I enjoyed the unsettling, grotesque vibes of Uzumaki, Gyo, and the selected short stories (my favorite is "Amiagara Fault"). I bought some postcards and files.


After finishing my shopping, I finally head to the post office.

Hiroshima JP Building Post Office

Hiroshima JP Building Post Office is the nearest post office to Hiroshima Station. You just need to head to the south gate; there is an overpass connecting the station and the JP Building. The post office is located on the 1st floor. 

At the post office, I found a mailbox with a Hiroshima Carp design! As usual, I took a photo with the mailbox. At this post office, I sent 2 postcards, both to Germany. 

As usual, I bought a plain postcard to write my own address. I requested the officer to put fukeiin on all three postcards and send them.


Hiroshima JP Building Post Office Fukeiin

My postcard with the fukeiin arrived a few days later. It had the image of the Hiroshima JP Building. Unfortunately, the image of the building isn't very clear because the ink wasn't applied evenly. 😅

From the Japan Post official website: "The fukeiin depicts Hiroshima JP Building, where the post office is located, along with maple leaves and origami cranes, symbols of Hiroshima City." It was launched on September 26th, 2022.

Hiroshima JP Building is a skyscraper located in Matsubara-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, on the site of the former Hiroshima Higashi Post Office. The post office was relocated to the first floor of the building. 

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



Cheers,

Mulic

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