We’ve written before about the Underwater Postoffice in Vanuatu, and we thought at the time it was the only place you could post a letter underwater in the world.
Well, turns out that isn’t quite true! Postcrosser Cindy (aka cindybeaule) let us know about an underwater post box in Susami, Japan, which was put in place in 1999 as part of a fair to promote the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. It’s a collaboration between the former postmaster, a man called Toshihiko Matsumoto, and the local diving community. Waterproof postcards are sold in the dive shop, and you have to write your message using waterproof oil-based markers, so the message won’t wash off.
You need diving gear to even reach the post box, because it’s 10 metres below the surface. It’s actually in the Guinness Book of World Records because it’s the deepest post box in the world, and they have a certificate to prove it! The boxes are made of cast-iron, so there are actually two used in rotation, so they can be cleaned and repainted.
I even did some more poking around, and it turns out there are a few other underwater post boxes. There’s one in the Malaysian island of Mataking, another one in the Jemeluk Bay Underwater Gallery in Indonesia, and two “dry” ones: an underwater observatory in the US Virgin Islands and the Risør Underwater Post Office in Norway.
You can watch a whole mini-documentary about the post box in Susami on Youtube—we were amazed to learn that there had been over 38,000 special waterproof postcards sent from this underwater post box at the time it was filmed in 2018. I wonder if any Postcrossers have ever sent or received a card from Susami…? Do let us know!
59 comments so far
So cool!!!!! I wish I can receive one some day! :)
wow. that is really cool. Maybe planning some holidays to go there if one day corona gets back to somekind of normal.
Until then I wait that I might get one card from there :D
It would be absolutely fantastic to get a postcard from any of these locations. What a treasure that would be🐬🐳⚓ .
Amazing! Thanks for sharing!
A seahorse! So in style! 😂🥰🧜♀️🌊📮
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiyMys_lbTM/?igshid=11lk9f0v42ek0
WOW!!! I have to add this to my bucket list, and send one to myself of course!
theres also one in Penghu, Taiwan :)
Wow, I wish I could send a postcard from underwater one day! That' s so cool!
Unbelievable. Thans for sharing.👌
Fascinating! I wish I knew how to scuba dive!
Funny timing with this post. I just watched this video last night. A really cool idea!
Wouldn’t that be cool if a future archaeologist discovered this, thinking it’s the last surviving artifact of an ancient civilization? 😁
I did send myself a postcard from the underwater post office in Risør some years ago. Couldn't resist it! I dropped the postcard in a mailbox that hung on the wall of the aquarium, and the postcard was then brought down to the underwater post office where it got postmarked.
I love this story & the video was great!
This is really a neat idea, would love to receive a card from any of these fabulous locations.
Wow! That's quite amazing.
Amazing! what a gift it would be to receive one day a card from under the sea!
Whish I could receive one card from those places. Cool story. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, how amazing! I would like to receive a postcard directly from under the sea, it would be magical!
I love the story but what to do if you don't dive, like me....?
I'm still waiting for a card from Susami...I let you know, OK
What a coincidence! Yesterday I just got the postcard I mailed to myself from the underwater post box in Penghu, Taiwan. So interesting that you’re discussing the same topic! Mailing it was a fun experience.
so nice
I hope i recieve a postcard from that Post box atleast once in my life
Whilst Vanuatu’s is not the only post box under the sea it was the first...it was there off Efate Island when my parents where working there in 1969. I posted a waterproof card from there to my grandparents.Vanuatu...or as it was known then New Hebrides before Father Walter Lini helped the islands gain independence also has volcano post on Mt Yasur on the island of
oops...Tanna Island.
Amazing!
I have one. Received by a friend. I m so lucky.
Thats cool! Thanks for sharing. I hope i recieve someday a underwater postcard from susami or another place.
Amazing!
Hahaha I would like to get a postcard from there or send one
A good reason to get my scuba diving license.
No, but I sent several cards from Hell on Grand Cayman Island while scuba diving there. Japan is on my list of places to dive already. This will make it extra special! Thanks for sharing!
Pam
cooooooool.
Maybe we all can travel again soon...
This is surely now on my list of places to dive.
And thanks to Travel Mode I could send a card then and there :)
Thanks for letting us know about this cool project
Amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
Not on my bucket list but good luck to all the brave people that dive
How cool is that? What a precious card that would be, mailed somewhere under water! <3
So Blue & Cool & Wet!
I wish I will receive a postcard someday from Susami!
Stay safe and keep the water calm!
HAppy postcrossing!
:) :D
Astonishing! you think you've seen/heard just about everything, but turns out you haven't, not by a long way!
It was great to come up with such an idea. Who, please, thinks up such ingenious things? Who knows, if the sea level will rise soon, there will certainly be many, many underwater letterboxes. . . if unintentionally. °°°°°blubb°-°blubb°-°blubb°°°
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °
🐟🐠🐡🦑🐙🦞🦀
🌎🌏PLEASE, SAFE OUR WONDERFUL PLANET🌎🌏
Как было бы здорово получить открытку из под воды! Буду надеяться🤞🤞🤞
Imagine a postcrosser coming into his office asking for about 100 postcards...
I even had to explain Postcrossing in NYC while purchasing 150 postcards.
Omg! Soooo coool! I'd like to receive a postcard from under the water some day!
Thank you for amazing story!
This is so cool!
Omg ! That’s fantastic. I wish I receive one day an underwater postcard.
Taiwan also have under water post box!😆🇹🇼
I knew only about Vanuatu since I got 2 postcards form there (one from underwater post office and second is form the volcano as it was stated above). Now I dream to visit Japan and dive into water (i wonder if i can make that with instructor) and send myself a card (i believe it would be the most expensive card ever).
Wow!
That's why I llove mailboxes postcards, so many varieties! I would love a postcard from one of this.
I've heard of tin can mail, but this is the first time I've heard about underwater mail. To receive a postcard past an underwater mailbox is a real exotic.)
never heard about, really fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lucky ppl who get a card via this box!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank for sharing! happy postcrossing, ipue...
How amazing!
How can I get one of these postcards in The United States?
Can these postcards be purchased in The U.S.?
I wrote many letters under water while stationed on a submarine but of course could not mail them until we surfaced.
This world is totally amazing! Thanks for the story.
thank you for an amazing story ! Almost sad I`m not a diver <3
Wow! That is amazing. Maybe one day I will get a postcrossing card from there. Loved the video clip. Thanks for sharing!!
Next summer I'll visit Risør in Norway and send postcards from its Underwater Post Office. Would love to visit the other places as well, but they are a bit too far away.
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