In the quaint fishing town of Susami, nestled along Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture, lies an attraction that has intrigued both locals and tourists alike—a postbox submerged 33 feet beneath the ocean’s surface.
The story begins in 1999 when then-70-year-old postmaster Toshihiko Matsumoto sought innovative ways to boost tourism in Susami. Collaborating with the local diving community, Matsumoto introduced the underwater postbox, aiming to offer divers a unique experience and to draw attention to the town’s coastal charm.
Here’s how it works: Visitors purchase water-resistant postcards from a nearby dive shop and inscribe their messages using oil-based markers to prevent smudging. Equipped with diving gear, they descend to the ocean floor to deposit their postcards into the submerged postbox. Each day, Kenji Nakanishi, the dive shop owner and custodian of the postbox, retrieves the cards and delivers them to the local post office for standard processing. For those hesitant to dive, the shop offers a service where staff members can post the cards on their behalf.
The initiative not only provided a novel experience but also earned a spot in the Guinness World Records as the deepest underwater postbox at that time. Over the years, it has become a significant tourist attraction, with nearly 38,000 letters sent from beneath the sea as of 2018.
The success of Susami’s underwater postbox has inspired similar ventures worldwide. In 2003, Vanuatu introduced its own Underwater Post Office, allowing divers to send waterproof postcards embossed by postal workers stationed on the seafloor. Malaysia followed suit in 2015, unveiling an underwater mailbox located 131 feet below sea level, setting a new record for depth.
While mailing a letter from beneath the waves may seem unconventional, it offers a memorable experience that combines adventure with the timeless act of sending a handwritten note. As one visitor aptly put it, “Having a mailbox under the sea is sort of completely useless, but at the same time, I loved my experience there because it was something new and interesting for me.”
For those seeking a blend of novelty and nostalgia, Susami’s underwater postbox provides a unique opportunity to connect with loved ones in a way that’s both personal and adventurous.
