Postal & Contact

Lounging next to a postbox like it’s totally normal behavior {Dave Olson’s postal address in Japan}

Dave Olson Postal Address & Shipping Tips

Basics:

Cards, letters, telegrams, aerogrammes oddities gratefully accepted via (but please don’t come visit unannounced):

Dave Olson
937-1 Tsuchida, Naka-ku
Okayama-shi, Okayama-ken
703-8217 Japan

Short on space? This will do:

Olson 937-1 Tsuchida Naka Okayama 703-8217 Japan

in Japanese:

703-8217 岡山県岡山市中区土田 937-1

Detailed fields (if needed):

Postal code: 703-8217
Prefecture/state/province: Okayama 岡山県
City: Okayama 岡山市
Ward: Naka 中区
Street/neighbourhood/chome & house number: 937-1 Tsuchida 土田 937-1

Electronic communique

Dave uncleweed Olson Postal Address — Dave uncle weed Olson Postal Address

Package tips:

When using national postal service for packages bigger than a card/letter, use the “Small Packet” option / saves money from “regular” airmail.

If sending books/magazines you can use “Printed Matter” service which again will save money (usually sent via Surface Air Lifted). Must specifically tell postal worker the package *does not* contain a letter. This is oddly important.

Heavy media:

For heavier/larger boxes (up to 66lbs!) of books, records and other recorded material only, sent from USA, you can use the remarkable and under-known “M bag” service designation 262.1“.

Tip: print out the actual sheet (linked above) showing the details and take to the post office as this service is not often used. {Someone will go to the back to find a big canvas Santa sack, no kidding, and put your labelled & tied box of *only* designated materials in & attach a special tag and eventually will show up here like thrifty magic.}

Paperwork:

You may need to complete a customs declaration including assigning a value. Please list as “gift” & add a nominal amount like $10 – *we know its priceless* but this is for customs duty, not insurance. If not, we sometimes get slapped with a fee.

Of course, ensure you have a legible return address in case the system is thwarted by various apocalypse.

Phone number:

if needed for courier/customs etc.+81(0)5055321102 (this is my weird VoIP number so if you call I probably won’t answer, but I might because I do wanna talk to you)

Courier (when required):

Use your national postal service if at all possible. But, if a courier is really needed, choose DHL (better for Japan then FedEx or UPS) or if available in your area, the fantastic “Yamato / Black Cat” courier service. But really, regular Postal Service is the best choice 99% of the time.