Rescheduling Deliveries in Japan

Japan Post "Undeliverable Item Notice"

[Edit: See this post for information on how to reschedule Japan Post deliveries using the automated phone service.

Edit 2: Updated Sep 30, 2014]

Japan Post is probably the easiest service to schedule redelivery with since you can do it online and they do have English on the site. For those who like step-by-step instructions (like me), douzo:


1. On the Japan Post website, click the link for 再配達のお申し込み　"Sai haitatsu o moshikomi" under the インターネットサービス "internet service" section. (Or go directly to the redelivery page at https://trackings.post.japanpost.jp/delivery/delivery_request.do.

2. Scroll down past the various warnings to the input section 「郵便物等ご不在連絡票」情報の入力.

 Enter your postal code without hyphens in the first section. Next enter the notice number. The number should theoretically be written in the box in the bottom section of the "undeliverable item notice" slip, but in my case it is printed out on a sticker that is then attached to the notice.

There are two entry sections for the notice number; the one you should use depends on the type of notice you have. Postcards (as pictured at the top of the post) should have a 11-13 digit number which should be entered on the left side box (追跡番号（お問い合わせ番号） Notice Number), while notices with a barcode and a  6-8 digit number should be entered on the right (お知らせ番号 Notice Number).

Select your desired redelivery date in the third section.

 For the fourth section match the kanji for the mail type from the bottom of the notice postcard ("Mail, etc. Type"). 

Be careful to select the package type in the section corresponding to the type of undeliverable item notice you received (select from the top section for "追跡番号（お問い合わせ番号） Notice Number" or from the bottom section for "お知らせ番号 Notice Number").


Choose where you'd like your package redelivered in the fifth section:
ご自宅　- Home Address (original delivery address)
ご近所様に配達 - Deliver to Neighbour
勤務先に配達 - Deliver to Workplace
配達を担当している郵便局の窓口でお受け取り - Pick-up from the Delivery Center Post Office (do not re-deliver)
他の郵便局の窓口でお受け取り - Pick up from Different Post Office

Click the left hand red button (次へ進む) to continue. (If you have a Yuubin ID, you can click on the right hand red button (ゆうびんIDを利用して登録する)

3. (Note: The following if for re-delivery to the original delivery address. You would probably see a slightly different page for delivery to a neighbour/workplace since you would need to enter the re-delivery address.)

Choose the date and time range for redelivery. (Make sure you're actually home at that time!) Note that this option is not available if you choose to have your package re-directed to your workplace.

Enter your daytime contact phone number (using half-width numbers) starting from the local area code (include an extension number (内線) if necessary); name (maximum 16 characters for full-width characters, or 32 characters using half-width characters), and email address twice for confirmation (half-width characters).

You can skip the "Notice for Office" unless you have some information/request you need to convey to the post office.

Click on the red 次に進む button to continue to the confirmation/submission page.


4.  Check all the information for accuracy and hit the red 登録する button to confirm. (If you're redirecting to your office, I think the next screen will ask you to re-confirm the original shipping address.)

Pelican (Amazon.co.jp Package)

Calling to have an Amazon package redelivered is easier than I thought it would be.

A sample phone conversation (in very basic/broken Japanese) rescheduling an Amazon package delivery:

Me - Konnichiwa/Konbanwa, Melissa desu. Amazon kozutsumi arimasu. Ashita no roku ji kara kyuu ji made takuhai onegaishimasu.*

(Hello, this is Melissa. I have an Amazon package. Please deliver it tomorrow from six o'clock to nine o'clock.)

Pelican - Gojuusho wa nandesuka.

(Your address please.)

Me - [Address in Japanese]

Pelican - Denwabango wa nandesuka.

(Your phone number, please.)

Me - [Phone number in Japanese]

Pelican - Hai, otodokemasu.

(We'll deliver it.)

* If I'm asking for same day delivery before a certain time I might say something like "kyou no roku ji han made takuhai shite dekimasenka" to ask if they can do it, rather than just saying "please deliver it."

[Edit: I wrote this post fairly early on in my time in Japan. I've since learned a more proper way to inquire about non-delivery notices, so here's my improved sample phone conversation. Please note this is for calling a delivery center and not the driver! Also, what the Pelican/Sagawa/Japan Post people say is just a rough guideline at best since 1) I'm writing it from my memories of what I heard, and 2) phrasing is usually different from person to person anyway.

For Pelican/Transport Communication Sagawa:

Me - Fuzairenrakuhyou ga todoitanodesuga...
(I received a "Message of Non-delivery..."　ご不在連絡票)

Pelican - Okurijou bango wa nandesuka?
(What's the notification number? 送り状番号 - Not a literal translation, but close enough.)

Sagawa - Onimotsu bango wa nandesuka?
(What's the package number? お荷物番号)

Me - 0123456789
(The number in Japanese - zero/maru, ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, nana, hachi, kyuu)

Pelican/Sagawa - Ima kara uchi ni imasuka?
(Will you be home from now on?)

Me - Hai, imasu. / Iie, imasen. Ashita no gozenchuu ni saihaitsu shitekuremasenka?
(Yes, I will./ No, I won't be. Can you redeliver it tomorrow morning (usually meaning between 8am and 12pm)?)

Pelican/Sagawa - Hai, (ashita no gozenchuu ni) otodokemasu.
(We'll deliver it (tomorrow morning).)

Me - Arigatou gozaimasu. Shitsureishimasu.
(Thank you. Good-bye. - Literally "Pardon my rudeness.")

Note: If you're asking for same day re-delivery within a certain time frame, they may ask for your phone number so they can call the driver and then call you back.

For Japan Post:

Me - Yuubinbutsu oazukari no oshirase wo todoitanodesuga...
(I received an "undeliverable item notice"... 郵便物お預かりのお知らせ)

Japan Post - Haitatsu tantousha wakarimasuka?
(Do you know the driver's (配達担当者) name?)

Me - [Driver's name]
(Here's where it's tricky since it's written in Japanese... I was lucky the one time I phoned instead of using the internet since I actually knew the kanji for "Suzuki" (鈴木).)

Japan Post - Wakarimashita. Gojuusho wa nandesuka?
(Your address please.)

Me - [Address in Japanese]

Japan Post - Oname wa nandesuka?
(What's your name?)

Me- [Name]

Japan Post - Sashidashinin wo wakarimashitaka?
(Do you know the sender? 差出人)

Me - Hai, [Sender name].

Japan Post - Denwabango wa nandesuka.
(Your phone number, please.)

Me - [Phone number in Japanese]

Japan Post - Shichi ji kara ku ji made otodoite yoroshi desuka?
(Is it OK for us to deliver it between 7 and 9 (pm)?)

Me - Hai. Onegaishimasu.
(Yes, please do.)

Japan Post - ~ Arigatou gozaimasu.
(Various polite phrases along the lines of "thank you for calling" and "have a pleasant evening.")

Me - Arigatou gozaimasu. Shitsureishimasu.
(Thank you. Good-bye. - Literally "Pardon my rudeness.")

Note: Since you can reschedule deliveries online, I only call Japan Post if I come home too late to be able to reschedule a same day redelivery and I don't want to wait for my package until the following day.

Of course, you can also go to pick up your parcel--just bring the notification form, your hanko, and a piece of ID (driver's license or gaijin card). ]

Sheltered

Living on your own really teaches you just how sheltered a life you've been living.

Here're some of the things I've looked up on Google since coming to Japan:

- how to boil an egg
- how to pan fry a steak
- how to cook chicken
- how to make congee
- how to winter-proof (i.e. bubble wrap) windows
- how to change windshield wipers (turned out I didn't need this since gas stations will do it for you for free)

In my own defense, though, it wasn't as if I was completely clueless as to how to do these things, I just wanted step-by-step instructions (I'm kind of anal that way). For the various food things in particular, I wanted to know the specific/proper timing. (I also learned from AH, for the first time, how to make a grilled cheese sandwich over the stove--I've always just used a toaster oven!)

Still, it really makes me appreciate living in the internet age. I mean, I can't imagine what life would've been like for someone as sheltered as me coming to Japan without the ability to look anything and everything up online. If I had to call someone every time I wanted to know something as simple as how to boil an egg, I'd probably just live off of grocery/convenience store bento's rather than suffering the embarrassment of having to ask about such "common sense" things. =P

Kirita Takoyaki Party!

I LOVE Kirita!

I went into Kirita instead of the office today (even though it's winter break for the students, teachers still have to work) and boy was I glad I did!

First of all, TC-sensei and I got to talk about what we were going to do to finish up the textbook with the ichinensei's in third term. It was great because she was more than happy to share the lesson planning duties, so I really felt like an equal teaching partner.

Secondly, most of the teachers went out for lunch at a hotel near my house. T-san called ahead and ordered bento's, so when we got there we just had to sit down and they brought the food out to us. There were six of us there (all female--I-sensei and Kyoto-sensei had to stay and "man the fort" I guess) and it was a nice, relaxed meal.

Finally, we had a takoyaki party in the afternoon!! Kyoto-sensei had caught an octopus, so he brought some of it in and we made takoyaki. Since we were close to my house, after lunch we drove to my house and then to TC-sensei's house to get the takoyaki makers. (Yes, one of my predecessors bought a takoyaki maker!) T-san and H-sensei bought the other ingrediants, and so around 3pm we made takoyaki! It was awesome!

Some of the 3rd year students saw us coming back with the takoyaki makers, so of course they wanted some. They were really cute! As we were making it, they were walking by the office and pressing their faces against the door windows, crying out my name in a pleading tone. Then when we finished making the takoyaki, they made excuses to come into the office. At first, I-sensei teased them by eating it in front of them and loudly saying "umai" (delicious), but of course he was nice afterwards and gave them some. He shooed them out once they finished, but as they were leaving, one of them looked at me and called my name with pleading eyes and voice. I wasn't swayed, though--I wanted to eat more myself. =P There were also some 1st year students still at school, so we gave them some too.

Photos: Kyoto-sensei cutting up the tako (octopus).













Making the takoyaki (my takoyaki maker is the small red one).


























The finished takoyaki and I-sensei having the first taste.

A Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas isn't over yet, but it's already been an awesome one.

On Saturday night I called Helaine (woke her up, actually!) to wish her a happy baptism. We talked for a bit, which was nice since I’ve probably missed her most out of all of my WAY “kids.” She mentioned that everyone was going to her place after the baptism, so the next morning (Christmas Eve) I called again and talked to all of the newly baptized, plus Pearl and Jeremy.

Then the family called about an hour later and I got to talk to Nathan, mom and dad. ^_^

AB and RB came over around 1pm and dropped off gifts for everyone. Unfortunately RB was still sick, but it was good to see them, even for a bit.

Then T, Kand R came over to decorate sugar and gingerbread cookies for the children and staff at an orphanage in Shichinohe.

Side note: K and R are absolutely amazing. They baked enough cookies, fudge and toffee for everyone at the orphanage, plus they made all the icing needed to decorate the cookies! Considering that there are ~68 children (ranging in age from 4 years old to high school aged) and ~27 staff members, it's a truly amazing feat! They made well over 200 cookies with only a dinky toaster oven!! It boggles the mind. I mean, it took me 4 hours to make ~60 cookies, and those were just chocolate chip (drop cookies)! But to make over 200 cut out cookies... @_@

They are definitely two of the most caring, generous people I know, and I respect and admire them greatly.

When we were finishing up with the cookies, we also watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and part of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" (the original animated version)--courtesy of Courtney. ^_^

We started the cookies around 2pm and were ready to leave for a quick trip to Daiso at about 6:30pm.

Just as we were about to leave, W&C came over. So T, K and R went to Daiso, and W&C and I hung out at my place for a bit before we all met up at the Towada Catholic Church to attend a Christmas eve mass.

It was pretty cool because the entire service was printed out (in Japanese) in a booklet. All the songs were in hiragana (so I could actually sing along!) and most of the congregational responses were in hiragana as well. There was communion too. At first I wasn't sure if I should take communion, since I'm not Catholic, but then I figured that Christian is Christian, and so long as I know why I'm taking communion, it's fine.

After the mass, there was a reception with plenty of food--sushi, turkey, sandwiches, tangerines and Christmas cake!--and lots of people to talk to. Some people spoke English, some Japanese, and some Spanish. It was a neat experience.

Side note: As much as I've enjoyed the two services I've attended at Greater Love Baptist Church (the Misawa church C&W also attend), the experience did make me wonder if maybe I should give the local, Towada Baptist Church a try. I might not understand a lot, but at least I'll get to know Christians in my community. It's a tough call, though, since I appreciate being able to understand the message, and I like going to a church where I have friends...

Following that everyone came back to my place. We watched "A Christmas Story"--an old but hilarious Christmas movie--and J came over as well.

After everyone left, I cleaned up and took out the trash. (You're supposed to put out the trash first thing in the morning, but I knew there was no way I'd wake up before 8am to take it out, so I cheated a bit.) When I came back, I remembered that I hadn't checked the mail, and lo and behold, there was a card from Joeie!! ^_^ (I've said it numerous times, but I'll say it again: the Japanese postal service is amazing!! Christmas eve is a holiday in Japan because it's the Emperor's birthday, but they still deliver mail!!)

So I opened the card and most of my other gifts, then took a shower and went to bed.

I slept in until nearly 1pm. It was an especially nice sleep because I slept on the bed; for the past couple of months I’ve been too lazy to put out my bedding, so I’ve been sleeping on the couch in my sleeping bag.

Just after I finished putting away my bedding, Syv and Jen called! =D Jen had written on my Facebook wall that they were going to call, but I didn’t know when they were planning on doing so, so I was worried that I would be out and miss them! But that didn’t happen and we got to talk, so it was all good. ^_^ 

Side note: Of course it’s not as good as being home together with everyone, but since I’m away for the holidays, a call is the next best thing (and this applies to all of the calls I’ve made/had in the past two days).

Then I went online and had Facebook gifts/messages from Grace, Peter, Shirley and Allie, and an email from Vince. ^_^ 

Basically I’ve just felt really loved this Christmas. I’ve had cards from my parents, Syv, Cecilia, Brenda, Joeie, and the assistant English teacher from Kirita. I’ve also gotten gifts from my parents, Syv, Joeie, AB; RB, and staff at Kirita—plus one’s on its way from Jen.

And I’ve still got McDonald’s hockey cards (from my parents) to open right now, and a Christmas dinner at K & R’s place tonight. ^_^ If I had to be away from home for Christmas, I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better Christmas than the one I’ve had so far.

I think that being in Japan has really taught me to value relationships because I have to work that much harder to maintain them long distance. It’s forced me to be more intentional in showing my care for people. If I want to wish someone a happy birthday, I have to set a time to call when I think they’ll be home (and, more often than not, I also have to look up their phone number first since I didn’t think to copy them from my cell before I left). I also appreciate things like letters/packages, emails, Facebook messages, and phone calls a lot more than I did when I was in Canada. 

Anyway, to conclude:

Merry Christmas!! I love and miss everyone at home in Canada, but I’m also extremely thankful for all of my friends here in Japan. ^_^

Photos: My living room (the room I live out in the winter) all cleaned up for Christmas Eve.

























Cards from (left to right): mom & dad, F-sensei, Syv, Joeie, Cecilia, Brenda, T-san & H-sensei.











Sheep from AB & RB (it has a blanket inside); pillow from T-san & H-sensei; Vancouver 2010 Olympic mascot from Syv; blue blanket from Kirita year-end party.