Moving in Japan · Practical guide
Set up mail forwarding before you leave your old home, keep important letters on track and understand what changes when you move overseas. Use Japan Post’s official route—or get support with a Japanese enquiry.
Direct answer
Moving within Japan? Submit a Japan Post relocation notice.
Japan Post’s 転居・転送サービス forwards eligible mail from your old address to a new address in Japan for free. Submit a 転居届 (tenkyo todoke) online, at a post office or using the official postal form.
Allow 3–7 business days for registration. The forwarding period runs for one year from the filing date—not the requested forwarding start date. Domestic mail is not forwarded overseas, and items marked 転送不要 are excluded.
01 · Prepare
Before you submit the notice
- Write both addresses completely. Include postal codes, building names and room numbers. Double-check the spelling.
- List the people moving. Use the names appearing on their mail; tell the post office if someone is staying at the old address.
- Decide the start date. Apply early and keep the receipt or reference. A form submitted today does not mean registration is complete today.
- Check the identity requirements. Follow the current instructions for your application route. Keep identity documents for the official process.
- List important senders. Update their records directly rather than relying on forwarding for every letter.
02 · Choose your next step
How would you like to handle it?
03 · Do it yourself
Choose the official route that fits your move.
Start with Japan Post’s relocation and forwarding guide (Japanese). The guide links to e-Tenkyo and post-office search. Follow its current instructions before sending documents.
| Route | What to prepare | Useful check |
|---|---|---|
| e-Tenkyo online | A verified ゆうID (Yuu ID) | Complete login and any identity verification yourself |
| Post-office counter | The notice and required identity documents | Japan Post checks the submitter and one person moving; ask about your circumstances |
| Official postal form | The completed form, required ID copy and supplied envelope | Follow the form instructions; Japan Post says no stamp is needed for this route |
See Japan Post’s application and identity requirements. Accepted documents and requirements depend on the route; check before visiting or posting.
Keep the dates and reference clear.
Registration normally takes 3–7 business days. Save the acknowledgement and requested start date. The one-year period starts on the filing date; put a reminder in your calendar to update senders and check any renewal needs.
Ask for the relocation form
“I am moving within Japan and would like mail sent to my old address forwarded to my new address. Please explain the relocation notice and required identity documents.”
Confirm the start date and registration
“I requested forwarding from [date] and submitted the notice on [date]. My reference is [number]. I would like to check the registration status and forwarding start date.”
Explain a partial household move
“Only I am moving; another household member will stay at the old address. Please explain how to complete the form so that only my mail is forwarded.”
Ask about leaving Japan
“I am moving overseas and understand domestic mail is not forwarded abroad. Please explain the required procedure for my mail after departure.”
Before finishing, confirm these points.
- The correct route and documents for your situation
- The people and addresses included
- The filing date, requested start date and registration status
- Your receipt or reference and how to follow up
- Any action you still need to complete yourself
LifeAdmin · Japanese call support
Still blocked by a Japanese postal enquiry?
LifeAdmin can contact one post office or official contact, communicate one clear question and confirm the procedure or next step. You receive a written English summary of the result and any action still needed.
- ¥2,980 · one organization, one clear purpose
- Up to two call attempts
- Normally reviewed within one business day; calls during Japanese business hours
What we’ll need from you
- The post office or official contact and phone number
- Your name and the addresses relevant to the question
- Your moving date and requested forwarding start date
- A filing date and reference, if you have already applied
- One clear question and times when you can join for consent or verification
Provide the relevant details through the task form. Keep identity-document copies, account passwords and verification codes for Japan Post’s official process; do not send them to LifeAdmin.
This is communication support. LifeAdmin does not submit your relocation notice, log in to your Yuu ID, complete identity verification, receive mail or provide a forwarding address. Japan Post may require you to act personally. Acceptance, registration dates and delivery are not guaranteed; a second organization is outside this task’s scope.
04 · Check the limits
Leaving Japan or waiting for important mail?
Moving overseas
Japan Post does not forward domestic mail overseas. Its overseas-move guidance describes a paper notice for people who do not want domestic delivery after departure: leave the new-address field blank and submit at a counter or by post. The person moving must submit it; e-Tenkyo cannot be used for this procedure. Check the instructions directly before filing.
For mail arriving from overseas, Japan Post describes a separate international-mail forwarding procedure. Ask the delivery post office about the relevant mail and any charges; this does not make domestic mail eligible for overseas forwarding.
Mail marked “do not forward”
Items marked 転送不要 (tensō fuyō) are not forwarded even with a relocation notice. If an important letter is expected, contact the sender about the delivery address and any reissue procedure.
Change the sender’s records too
Make a separate list for your employer, bank, insurer, utilities and subscriptions. Ask each sender how to update the address or arrange contact after departure. For another courier’s parcel, use that carrier’s own instructions.
If mail is missing
Gather the sender, mailing date, addressee, old and new addresses, and tracking number if available. Ask the post office about registration and the item; ask the sender about urgent replacements. Do not assume a forwarding application guarantees a particular delivery date.
05 · Keep the next step clear
Is your mail plan ready?
Tick an item once it is arranged. The ticks apply to this visit.
Moving out? Continue with these tasks.
- Contact your landlord or management company →
- Book bulky-waste collection before moving →
- Arrange gas, water and electricity stops →
- Cancel home internet and return equipment →
- Missed a delivery? Request redelivery before the deadline →
Leaving Japan? Also check bank accounts, pension and tax tasks.
Questions
Mail forwarding: common questions
Is Japan Post forwarding free?
The domestic relocation forwarding service is free. LifeAdmin’s optional Japanese call support is a separate paid service.
Does the one-year period start on my moving day?
No. Japan Post calculates it from the filing date, rather than the requested forwarding start date. Check your dates and update senders.
Can I forward domestic mail overseas?
No. Use the overseas-move instructions and ask important senders about future delivery or another contact method.
Will my bank’s letters all be forwarded?
Do not assume so. Mail marked “転送不要” is excluded. Update your bank’s records through its required process.
Can LifeAdmin complete e-Tenkyo for me?
No. Complete your own application and identity verification. LifeAdmin can ask one official contact about the procedure or a clear question.
One clear next step
Need help explaining your mail question?
Prepare your addresses, dates and one clear question, then ask LifeAdmin to communicate and confirm the next step.
Get postal enquiry help →Before buying, check what we’ll need from you.
Keep in touch
Moving within Japan, or returning later?
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Official sources
Checked 5 October 2026. Follow Japan Post’s current instructions for your circumstances.