Even The Mailboxes In Japan Are Strangely Beautiful

Mailboxes aren’t what you’d typically consider as artworks, but in Japan they kinda are. Japanese mailboxes have been made more colourful with images of mascots, animals, and references to local culture.

h/t: lostateminor, thesarusawablog

This culture of pop culture postboxes – or what they call kinen post – started in 1952, when the Japan Postal Service built one topped with a statue of a trumpet-playing cherub to commemorate the 75th anniversary of joining the Universal Postal Union.

Since then, kinen posts have sprouted all over the country, serving as anniversary reminders, location markers, or simply as a way to show the unique character and history of a place. Some enthusiasts even include these in their travel itineraries!