Like in many countries, post offices are multi-purpose institutions. You can, of course, buy stamps and send packages, but you can also sign up for insurance, wire money or withdraw money from the ATM.
The nice thing about most of these ATMs is that they accept foreign ATM cards, unlike most ATM machines in Japan, so I use them from time to time as an easy way to bring money into the country.
A few weeks ago, I heard the distinctive sound of a shredder running while I was using the ATM in Ochanomizu. I looked around and saw a woman feeding her ATM receipt into a little shredder next to the ATMs.
It’s a great idea. Especially since the ATMs here don’t let you skip printing out the receipt. I’d love to see something like this at American banks.
