Monday, November 25, 2024
On Thursday, November 21st, a "Yellow Post of Happiness" was installed next to the entrance of the Hokuryu Town Government Building. This is a round mailbox that was previously installed, painted sunflower yellow.
Happy Yellow Postbox @ Hokuryu Town Government Building, next to the entrance
Weekdays: Around 16:40 Saturdays: Around 15:00 Sundays: Around 15:00
◉ According to Ishisan's Round Post Photo Gallery, there are 22 "yellow round postboxes" across the country (as of February 7, 2025).[Ishisan's Maru Post Photo Gallery: Rare Posts]。
"Yellow Post of Happiness" Dialogue
This is a conversation between Postmaster Kazuhiro Kiyohara of Hokuryu Town's Kazu Post Office and Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki.
Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town
"We have been applying to the post office to change our mailboxes to yellow for the past six years. However, it has been difficult to make it a reality, and after six years, our application has finally come to fruition.
According to an online search, there are about five yellow postboxes installed across Japan.
It would be interesting to see local post stamp rallies and similar events expanded nationwide in the future.
I want to increase the value of letters. I also think it's important to reassess the value of writing a handwritten, heartfelt letter and posting it.
The realization of the "Yellow Post of Happiness" is thanks to the efforts of Postmaster Kazuhiro Kiyohara.
"Yellow is the color of good fortune. By sending a letter through this yellow postbox, people are entrusting it with the hope that their happiness will spread to many people," said Mayor Sasaki with a smile.
Hokuryuchocho Post Office, Postmaster Kazuhiro Kiyohara
"The reason we decided to use yellow postboxes is because the yellow sunflower is the symbol of Hokuryu Town.
There aren't many areas where round postboxes (No. 1 round postboxes) still remain, so I've long felt that it would be nice to have a sunflower yellow postbox.
This was Mayor Sasaki's idea, and after much research and years of problem-solving, we were finally able to achieve this color scheme.
We have also considered changing the name of the post office from "Japanese Post Office" to "Himawari Post Office." This is possible if certain conditions are met, but the application process is quite challenging.
"A dozen years ago, there was talk that it would be possible to change the name of a post office if the name of a town or place actually contained the word 'Himawari', and the name of the town or place would not change. We would like to consider various options in the future," said Post Office Manager Kiyohara.
Himawari Saki rushed over to celebrate!
The history of postboxes
- The first post box (made of black wood) in Japan was installed in 1871. The following year, a black-painted "black post box" appeared, marking the beginning of the nationwide postal network.
- The red round iron postboxes were introduced in 1901 (34th year of the Meiji era).
- In 1949, the "Postal Box No. 1 (round)" was installed next to the entrance of the Hokuryu Town Government Building.
- In recent years, colorful mailboxes have been installed that reflect the characteristics of the area (yellow, pink, white, gold).
- The yellow postboxes are located at: 1) Nishioyama Station, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture (installed in 2010); 2) Aoshima, Miyazaki Prefecture (installed in 2014); 3) Kintetsu Kashihara-Jingu-mae Station, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture (installed in 2016); 4) Kanayama Station on the Fukuoka City Subway in Fukuoka Prefecture; 5) Mojiko Retro "Yellow Banana Postbox" in Fukuoka Prefecture (repainted in April 2022); and 6) Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture (installed during the Rape Blossom Festival, held every year from early January to the end of March).
- Unique local mailboxes have been installed all over the country, including a blue mailbox with a whale motif in Taiji Town, Wakayama Prefecture, a black and white mailbox with a panda design at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, and a "Gold Post" in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, in honor of Hikaru Sone, who won the gold medal in women's judo at the Tokyo Olympics.
- 【reference】Postal Museum、Genspark AI
Hokuryu Town's sunflower-colored "Yellow Postbox of Happiness" emanates the power of happiness!
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, we send these letters to Hokuryu Town's great "yellow postbox of happiness," where the bright, energetic vibrations filled with sincerity are carried by the wonderful words written in the letters and delivered to many people...
Other photos
Related articles and sites
This article introduces the evolution of postboxes, from Japan's first postboxes to the current postboxes. Museum Notes is a column from the Postal Museum...
Do you think that postboxes are just places to drop off letters? In fact, if you travel around Japan, you'll find many cute, photogenic postboxes...
◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)
