The Postal Museum is hosting a special exhibition featuring miniature models and stamps from around the world through July 20

The Postal Museum (Sumida Ward, Tokyo) is hosting a special exhibition titled “Small Is Cute! The World of Miniatures” through Monday, July 20, 2026 (a national holiday). The exhibition features miniature models recreating post office operations and a display of small stamps from around the world.The exhibition features works by miniature artist Katsumi Takahashi, as well as tin toys from the Teruhisa Kitahara Collection. Related events, such as workshops and stamp-related activities, will also be held during the exhibition period.

B3 Poster

<Dates> Now through July 20 (Mon, Holiday) | Closed: Mondays (tentative)

<Organizer> Postal Museum

<In Cooperation With> TOY MUSEUM Co., Ltd.

　　　　NPO Japan Philatelic Promotion Association

<Venue> Japan Post Museum, Special Exhibition Room and Multipurpose Space

■Small Things Are Cute! The World of Miniatures

Exhibition Scenes

From capsule toys to plastic models, figures to stuffed animals.

Many people find small things “cute,” and as Seishi Nagako once said, “Truly, truly, all small things are beautiful.” Perhaps this fascination with small things is hardwired into the Japanese DNA.

Among the materials in the Postal Museum’s collection are miniatures that faithfully recreate the daily operations of post offices. There are also many models of “vehicles” used to transport mail, such as airplanes and trains. These allow visitors to experience the history of the postal service.

Why not take a moment to look down at these miniature models and let your imagination wander to the postal operations of the era in which they were created?

Former Kodaira-Ogawa Post Office Building

In addition, with the cooperation of the Non-Profit Organization Japan Philatelic Promotion Association, we are also exhibiting a collection of tiny stamps issued around the world (believe it or not, they’re about the size of a pinky fingernail!).

Furthermore, in addition to displaying tin and paper toys related to the postal service from the collection of Mr. Teruhisa Kitahara of TOY MUSEUM Co., Ltd., we are also exhibiting the “Former Kodaira Ogawa Post Office Building” by miniature artist Katsumi Takahashi.

<Related Events>

Pull-Back Cars

Events and workshops using used stamps will be held in the multipurpose space, primarily on weekends during the exhibition period.

● Let’s Make a Pull-Back Car! (Free admission)

No scissors or glue required. We’ll make a pull-back train modeled after a railway mail car that’s easy to assemble.

[Date and Time] Sunday, July 12, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

● Picture Letter Class (Free)

This monthly class is led by an instructor certified by the Japan Picture Letter Association. There is no limit on the number of participants, and anyone can join easily and quickly. The theme for July is wind chimes.

[Date and Time] Saturday, July 11, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

● Miniature Postmark Service: Miniature postmark service provided by Mukojima Post Office

A scene from last year’s stamp fishing event

This is a special small-stamp cancellation service provided by Mukojima Post Office at a temporary branch near the museum entrance.

Please bring a stamp sheet with a stamp worth 85 yen or more to have it stamped.

For more details, please visit the Japan Post website.

[Date] Saturday, July 18

● Stamp Festival (Free Admission)

We will hold events and workshops using used stamps, such as capsule toys, stamp fishing, and bookmark making. This is a collaborative initiative with the All-Japan Stamp Festival 2026, held in Kinshicho.

A scene from last year’s stamp fishing event

[Dates] July 18 (Sat) – 20 (Mon, Holiday) 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

*For details on the All Japan Stamp Festival, please visit https://www.stamp.tokyo.

*You can also view this information on the Society for Promoting Philately’s website.

NPO Society for Promoting Philately

https://kitte.com/

Museum Logo

[Name (Japanese)] Postal Museum

[Name (English)] Postal Museum Japan

[Address] 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 131-8139

　　　　　　　Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi, 9th Floor

[Hours] 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Last admission at 5:00 PM)

【Closed】　　Irregular holidays

　　　　　　　*The museum may be temporarily closed for exhibition changes or facility maintenance.

【TEL】　　　 03-6240-4311

[Website] https://www.postalmuseum.jp/

【Admission】 Adults: 300 yen; Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students: 150 yen *Prices include tax.

【Access】

[Transportation] Tobu Skytree Line, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Keisei Oshiage Line

Toei Asakusa Line: Get off at "Oshiage (Skytree-mae) Station" (right next to the station)

Tobu Skytree Line: Get off at "Tokyo Skytree Station"

*There is no dedicated parking for the museum. Please use public transportation.

[Access to the 9th Floor of Tokyo Skytree Town East Yard]

Take the escalator or elevator to the 8th floor.

On the 8th floor, transfer to the elevator for floors 8–10, get off on the 9th floor, turn right, and the museum is directly ahead.