Ever stumped for “Japanese-y” items to send home to family and friends? Or, do you have Japanese friends or relatives living outside of Japan that might enjoy a familiar taste of home? Well, Japan Post has started a unique new service that might solve some of your worries. It’s called “Kaigai Furusato Kotsuzumi,” or “International Furusato Parcels.” It’s essentially a 24-page, completely bilingual catalog that offers a selection of Japanese foods and gift items that can be sent to countries around the world, postage included. A few yummy looking favorites included packets of Sapporo famous ramen shop noodles, soba gift sets, “brand name” rice, Japanese miso packs, deserts, and giftware such as dishes, decorative fans and lacquerware. You can order and pay for the gift parcels at any Japanese Post Office, and they will be shipped directly to the recipient abroad. Even better, the vendor or the Postal Service Center notify the US FDA for you regarding the shipments to be sent (in light of new anti-terrorism restrictions on sending food to the US).
The prices include postage and postal insurance for different classes of international mail. While the cost of the items themselves are not so cheap (usually around 3000 or 4000 yen), the postage and insurance inclusion makes it a fair bargain, plus the elimination of the filing hassle. The catalogs can be found at most Post Offices, or just ask if you don’t see them. The following Web site shows a picture of the catalogs, and offers some initial information: https://www.postal-jp.com/kaigai/index-e.html.
© 2004 Wendy J. Imura.
(Ed’s note: The International Furusato Parcel service was terminated by Japan Post on March 31, 2006.)