Fukeiin Guide

Want to collect or send fukeiin but don't know where to start? Fret not, this guide will take you through every step, so buckle up!

Getting Started: What you need

The fukeiin service itself is FREE, but you will need the following items:

Stamps 

You need at least 85 yen in stamps to get fukeiin, and you need to stick them onto a flat surface (I will explain more about this).

• If you're sending a standard-size postcard, you need 85 yen in stamps to send within Japan and 100 yen to send outside Japan (the cost is the same no matter where you send it).
  Note: The plain postcard you can get at post offices already comes with an 85-yen stamp, so you don't need to stick more stamps to send within Japan.
• If you're sending a non-standard-size postcard (such as Gotochi or die-cut postcards), you need 140 yen in stamps to send within Japan. To send outside Japan, you need to confirm with the officer, as the cost varies by destination. Usually it's around 230-280 yen. 
• If you're sending a letter (or using a regular envelope), you need to confirm with the officer, as the cost varies depending on size, weight, and destination. Within Japan, it usually costs 110 yen or 180 yen; outside Japan, it costs at least 190 yen. 
• If you just want the fukeiin for collection (not sending through the postal service), you need 85 yen in stamps. 

A flat surface to stick your stamps on

Fukeiin are postmarks, so you can get them stamped on your postcards and regular envelopes and have them sent. However, you don't actually need to send the surface stamped with fukeiin through the postal service. Some people have dedicated albums or journals for their fukeiin collection. You can use a page, a piece of paper, a card, or something similar to get fukeiin. However, you need to stick the stamps on your surface and make sure there is enough space for the officer to stamp the fukeiin (I will explain more about this).

Getting Started: Where to go

To get fukeiin, you can go to any of the >12,000 post offices in Japan that offer them. The fukeiin are unique to each post office, which makes them fun to collect. You can check these links for reference:

• Fukeiin directory from the Japan Post official website (in Japanese)
• My Hiroshima fukeiin directory

IMPORTANT NOTE: You won't get fukeiin if you insert the postcards or letters inside mailboxes unless it's explicitly stated on the mailbox (there are special mailboxes where you can get fukeiin). You need to go to the counter and request the fukeiin from the officer there. Make sure you visit the post offices during operating hours. Plan your visit accordingly, as many of them are only open Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00. 

Of course, there is another way to get fukeiin without going to the designated post office yourself, but it's not easy either lol. Also, you would need some Japanese language skills to do it. 

Preparation: How much space do I need?

As I had written above, you need enough free space on your chosen surface to get fukeiin. Fukeiin are much bigger than regular Japanese postmarks. They are usually circular with a diameter of 36 mm. Also, since they serve as postmarks, the fukeiin need to actually touch the stamps. I usually leave about 4 cm of space below my stamps for fukeiin. To make sure your fukeiin are clearly visible, avoid overdecorating your postcard or envelope, especially on the address side.

I did the rookie mistake of overdecorating my postcards in the beginning, and the post officer felt guilty that the fukeiin would 'ruin the decor.'

Sending fukeiin OUTSIDE JAPAN

Sending fukeiin via postcard or letter outside Japan is trickier and is usually not mentioned in Japanese fukeiin guides. I had some trials and errors until I finally figured it out.

The post office names in Fukeiin are written in Japanese, so the post office will need to affix an international postmark to the Fukeiin. The international postmark is circular with a diameter of 27 mm. Fortunately, the international postmark doesn't need to touch the stamp, so you just need to secure more blank space on your postcard or envelope. I usually leave an additional 3 cm for the international postmark.

It's okay if things are not perfect on the first few tries; you'll get the hang of it.

My go-to layout for sending a postcard with fukeiin outside Japan

Recipient POV

Going to the Post Office: Confirming and requesting fukeiin

When you go to a post office that offers fukeiin, they sometimes display the fukeiin design at the entrance or on an information board. However, not every post office does this. 

Before requesting a fukeiin, it's a good idea to confirm with the post officer first. You can ask 「風景印ありますか」 (fukeiin arimasuka, do you have fukeiin here). If the officer replies 「はい」 (hai, yes), then you may proceed with your fukeiin request.

To request fukeiin, you can say 「風景印お願いします」(fukeiin onegai shimasu, I would like some fukeiin, please). The officer will then check whether you have the correct amount of stamps and have enough space to stamp the fukeiin. Then they usually will point to a blank area and ask, 「この辺で大丈夫ですか」(kono hen de daijoubu desuka, would it be alright if I stamp on this area?). If you are okay with the arrangement, they will proceed with stamping the fukeiin.

At some post offices, the officer would request you to wait and show you the stamped postcards or envelopes, but sometimes they would just ask you to leave it to them. If you just want the fukeiin for collection, the officer will return the paper/album/whatever after they finish stamping it.

In any case, don't forget to say, 「ありがとうございます」 (arigatou gozaimasu, thank you) afterwards!

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I hope this guide is clear and easy enough to understand. Happy fukeiin, and I'll see you on my fukeiin adventures!

Cheers,

Mulic