I've recently been receiving a number of packages in the mail. Mostly boxes from the states or online shopping (my wedding dress or books from Amazon for example). I know that in the states, they usually just leave the delivery on your door step, or, in my parent's case, in a locked box at the end of the street that can be opened with a key that is put in your mail box. Here, they leave a notice letting you know that a package came for you while you weren't home and that they are holding it for you. The notice has the phone number to call to schedule a delivery time, or which post office to pick your package up from. When the package finally gets delivered, you have to sign for it, or if you pick it up, you have to show ID. I was always nervous about things being delivered to my door step in the US; my friend feels the same. Her house is in a rough neighborhood, and if the box gets stolen while she's not home, she'll not really be able to do anything about it. I think that the Japanese system would be better for people who are worried about theft. On the other hand, when I first came to Japan, I couldn't call to reschedule deliveries very well, so I shipped everything to work. I later realized that they have a special English service for people to call. I called it once soon after moving to my current apartment. But the call has an extra fee tacked on for that service, so now I just call the regular Japanese line. I have recently ventured in to the on-line system. You can do the whole thing on-line now and it saves me from having to call strangers on the phone...which I hate to do. The only drawback is that the kanji is a bit confusing. I had to have my fiance talk me through it once before trying it on my own. Tonight I will be receiving a package from one of my favorite people. I can't wait!