Your Complete Guide to Postal Forwarding After Moving — How to Use e-Tenkyō and Understanding the 1-Year Rules
How to ensure you receive mail sent to your old address after moving: a complete guide to postal forwarding procedures. Learn the three methods—in-person at the post office, online (e-Tenkyō), and postcard—plus timing and what to do after one year.
By submitting a "change of address notice" through Japan Post, mail and yu-mail addressed to your old address will be automatically forwarded to your new address. The forwarding service lasts for one year and is free to register for. After moving, notifying your bank, government offices, and online retailers of your new address can take several weeks. This service is essential for ensuring you receive any mail that arrives during this transition period. As of 2026, applying online via e-Tenkyō has become the standard method, and it is highly valued for its convenience—you can complete the entire process in 5–10 minutes without visiting a post office.
Applying in person at the post office: Visit your nearest post office (preferably one with an extended-hours counter) and bring a change of address postcard (provided free of charge), complete it, and submit it. Alternatively, you can pick up the form at the counter and fill it out there. Bring a photo ID (such as a driver's license or My Number Card) and a document confirming your old address (such as a health insurance card with your previous address). Some post offices are open on weekends.
Applying online (e-Tenkyō): You can apply 24/7 through Japan Post's official website for e-Tenkyō. You can apply from your computer or smartphone, and verification is done via credit card or SMS authentication using your phone number. Processing is completed within a few days, and a postcard confirming the start of forwarding is sent to your old address, which also serves as final verification of your identity. You can apply before or after your move, and you can complete the application during your spare time even during a busy relocation.
Submitting by mail (postcard): Obtain a postcard from your local post office or download it from Japan Post's website, fill it out, and drop it in a mailbox. This method doesn't require you to present a photo ID, but for fraud prevention, applying online or in person at the post office is recommended.
Timing Your Application
You can submit your change of address notice before or after your move, but since forwarding takes a few days to start, it's best to apply before your move or on moving day. Mail may arrive at your old address temporarily, but the previous resident or building manager may not hold onto it for you, so it's safer to apply as soon as possible.
Even after forwarding starts, you will need to separately notify important institutions—such as the tax office, social insurance providers, and financial institutions—of your address change. Remember that the forwarding service is only a temporary bridge during your transition period. It's also important to prioritize updating your address with regular mailers such as credit card companies, insurance providers, and brokerage firms.
What Is and Isn't Forwarded
Generally, standard mail (letters and postcards) and yu-mail are forwarded. However, the following items are not forwarded or require separate procedures:
•Parcel delivery services (Yamato, Sagawa, etc.): These are not forwarded by your change of address notice. You must update your delivery address separately through each company's app or website.
•Yu-Pack and yu-packet: Some are forwarded, but this depends on the type of package and how it was sent. Contact the post office to be sure.
•Mail services and direct mail: These may not be forwarded depending on the company's policies.
After moving, be sure to update your delivery address with online retailers like Amazon and Rakuten first.
What Happens After One Year
The forwarding period lasts for one year from the date of application. After one year, forwarding automatically stops, and any mail received at your old address will be returned to the sender. If there are any contacts you haven't notified of your new address during the forwarding period, you must update them before forwarding stops. As the end of your forwarding period approaches, create a list of important senders and check them off one by one to ensure you don't miss anyone.
You can reapply after one year, but for renewal procedures, you may need to contact your local post office for details. Ideally, you should complete all address changes with your contacts within the forwarding period.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Multiple recipients at the same address: Each change of address notice covers one household (or family members living together). If roommates who are moving at the same time are not considered the same household, each person must submit their own change of address notice.
Workplace notifications: Your change of address notice only applies to external senders. You must separately inform your company's HR department about your new address for internal systems and company housing-related matters. In many cases, you'll also need to update your health insurance card address through your company.
Corporate mail not being forwarded: If a company has marked their direct mail as "non-forwardable," it won't be forwarded even if you've submitted a change of address notice. It's important to confirm directly with the sender that your address has been updated for important documents.
Summary
The postal forwarding service is free and easy to use, but it's important to understand its limitations—the one-year term and that it doesn't cover parcel delivery services—before relying on it. Even during the hectic time around your move, you can complete the online application through e-Tenkyō in just 5–10 minutes during your spare time. To ensure you don't miss any important mail, be sure to add "Postal forwarding application (e-Tenkyō)" to your moving checklist. Making the most of the one-year forwarding period by updating your address with all your contacts will give you peace of mind as you settle into your new home.
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