During the Heian period, the government established the first official mail service, known as the Ekiden. This system utilized relay stations along major roads, where messengers would exchange bamboo tubes containing messages. The Ekiden was primarily used for official government communications and was not open to the general public.
In the Kamakura period, a new courier service called the Hikyaku emerged. Hikyaku were private messengers hired by individuals and businesses to transport messages or small packages. These messengers were often former soldiers or samurai and were known for their speed and endurance. However, the Hikyaku service was expensive and mainly accessible to the wealthy and powerful.
During the Muromachi period, a more extensive postal system known as the Tesaki was developed. The Tesaki operated similar to the Hikyaku but served a wider range of customers. The system was organized by local postmasters who set up post stations along major roads. Travelers could rent horses at these stations to deliver messages or parcels for a fee.
It's important to note that these mail services faced several challenges, including poor infrastructure, banditry, and natural disasters, which could delay or disrupt mail delivery. The systems also lacked privacy, as messages were not sealed and were subject to inspection by authorities.