Postal Redirection Service: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to forward your mail to a new address for one year when you move house in Japan.
The Postal Redirection Service is a utility provided to help manage your mail transitions when you change your place of residence.
Who it's for
This service is designed for anyone who is moving house. Whether you are moving to a new apartment, a different neighborhood, or a new city, this service is available to help ensure you do not miss important physical correspondence during your transition.
What you get
When you register for this service, your mail will be forwarded from your old address to your new address. This redirection service remains active for a period of one year, giving you a significant window of time to settle into your new home while still receiving your letters and packages.
What it costs you
Using this service is free. There is no monetary fee required to set up the redirection. The main requirement to complete the process is providing valid proof of your identity to ensure the mail is being sent to the correct person at the new location.
The catch to know
It is important to understand that this service only handles the physical movement of your mail; it does not act as a database update for your personal information. It does not automatically update your address with banks, insurance companies, or other private organizations. You are responsible for contacting each of these entities individually to update your records, otherwise, they may continue to send items to your old address, which may not always be caught by the forwarding process.
How to apply
- Gather your official identity documents to prove your residency and identity.
- Access the official service portal or visit a local post office.
- Complete the required application paperwork (known locally as the 転送届).
- Confirm that your new address and the desired forwarding duration are correct.