Tenkyo Todoke: Japan Post's Mail Forwarding Made Easy

Need help filling out the tenkyo todoke form?

Let's review what it is and 3 ways to fill it out.

What is a tenkyo todoke (転居届)?

Tenkyo todoke (転居届) is Japan Post's official mail forwarding notification. By submitting this form, Japan Post forwards mail sent to your former address to your new adress within Japan for up to one year at no cost.

Tenkyo Todoke vs 住民票の異動 vs 荷物転送（Courier Redirection）

How they work together in practice

Most people moving in Japan need all three actions, depending on their situation:

• Municipal change of address → to stay legally registered

• Tenkyo Todoke → to keep receiving Japan Post mail

• Courier redirection or address updates → to receive private deliveries

Filing just one does not replace the others.

When moving in or out of Japan, it’s important to understand that tenkyo todoke (転居届, tenkyo todoke) is only one part of managing your address.

It is often confused with municipal change of address (住民票の異動, jyumin hyo no idou) and courier redirection (荷物転送, nimotsu tensou), but each serves a very different purpose.

Tenkyo todoke vs municipal change of address (住民票の異動)

These two procedures are not interchangeable.

A municipal change of address is a legal requirement handled by your local city hall or ward office. It updates your official residential record in Japan and affects taxes, health insurance, pension, and voting eligibility.

Tenkyo todoke, on the other hand, is a postal service only. It does not update your address with government offices or private companies.

Key differences:

• Purpose

  • 住民票の異動: Updates your legal address in Japan

  • Tenkyo todoke: Forwards mail from your old address to your new residence

• Where you apply

  • 住民票の異動: City hall or ward office

  • Tenkyo todoke: Post office

• Legal requirement

  • 住民票の異動: Mandatory (within 14 days of moving)

  • Tenkyo todoke: Optional

• Effect on mail senders

  • 住民票の異動: Does not forward mail

  • Tenkyo todoke: Forwards mail to your new residence, but does not update sender records

In practice, many residents submit both:

• 住民票の異動 to comply with the law

• Tenkyo todoke to avoid missing mail during the transition

Tenkyo Todoke vs courier redirection (荷物転送)

Tenkyo todoke applies only to Japan Post mail. It does not affect deliveries from private courier companies.

Private couriers such as:

• Yamato Transport (Kuroneko)

• Sagawa Express

• Amazon

do not honor tenkyo todoke forwarding.

If you receive packages from these companies, you must:

• Update your relocation address directly with the sender, or

• Contact the courier company individually to request redirection (if available)

When do you use tenkyo todoke?

You fill out tenkyo todoke when you want to continue receiving mail from your previous address, giving you time to update your billing and contact information across various accounts and services.

Domestic mail forwarding

Many residents in Japan use tenkyo todoke to keep receiving their mail from their previous address.

Once you have moved into the new residence, you can update your billing and account information with your new address.

For example, I used tenkyo todoke to keep receiving mail from my previous Tokyo address in Fukuoka. So, any promotions and subscriptions that were not junk mail were automatically forwarded to my Fukuoka address, which included mail from my bank.

Once everything was settled at my Fukuoka address, I updated my billing address across various services to officially receive mail at my new address once tenkyo todoke ends.

International mail forwarding service

Moving abroad but still need to handle Japanese mail? Japan Post's tenkyo todoke won't help you here—it only works for domestic forwarding. That's where MailMate comes in.

MailMate isn't just a mail forwarding service—it's your complete Japanese mail management system that works from anywhere in the world. Whether you're temporarily away from Japan or permanently relocated, MailMate ensures you never miss important mail again.

📧 See every piece of mail instantly

All your Japanese mail—from government notices to utility bills to bank statements—gets forwarded to our headquarters, professionally scanned, and uploaded to your secure online dashboard within 24 hours. No more wondering what's sitting in your old mailbox.

🎯 Smart forwarding on demand

Not everything needs to be shipped overseas. With MailMate, you choose exactly which items to forward to your international address. Select what you need, and we'll ship it with full tracking—saving you money and clutter.

💳 Never miss a payment again

Bills don't stop coming when you leave Japan. MailMate's bill payment service handles your utilities, taxes, and other payments directly from Japan, preventing late fees and service disconnections.

Just click "Pay Bill" in your dashboard, and we'll take care of the rest.

🔄 Four ways to handle every item

For each piece of mail, you can:

• Open it for detailed scanning

• Translate it into English

• Forward it to your address

• Shred it securely

Don't let important mail pile up or miss critical deadlines. Join thousands of expats who trust MailMate to keep their Japanese affairs organized.

Who can use tenkyo todoke?

Japanese residents and their families use tenkyo todoke to keep receiving mail from their previous addresses after moving.

Additionally, corporations can use tenkyo todoke when relocating their business to a new address.

Required documents for tenkyo todoke

For individuals using tenkyo todoke, you will need to bring your ID to confirm your identity.

For companies requesting a mail forwarding with tenkyo todoke, only one person will need to bring an employee card or health insurance card to demonstrate your relationship with the company. At the same time, you will need to fill out the "name and seal of the notifier" space on the tenkyo todoke form.

Additionally, you will need to bring a government-issued document to verify the former address, such as a resident card, driver's license, passport, My Number Card, etc.

How to fill out a tenkyo todoke form

There are three ways to fill out a tenkyo todoke form.

Important information to fill out on tenkyo todoke

Method 1: Fill out tenkyo todoke at the Japan Post counter

One of the simpler methods is to fill out tenkyo todoke at your local Japan Post office counter.

Complete the form with your current address, new forwarding address, and other information. Since you will be submitting it in person, you need only bring this form and any form of ID.

This method is simpler because a Japan Post staff member can help you fill out the form if needed.

Method 2: Fill out tenkyo todoke via mail

Fill out the tenkyo todoke form.

Since you will be submitting the form by mail, you need to attach a photocopy of the front and back of your ID.

Once all details are filled out, place everything in the built-in envelope in your nearest Japan Post mailbox.

Method 3: Fill out tenkyo todoke online

Filling out the tenkyo todoke online is the more convenient option, but all the steps are in Japanese.

So, we simplified the steps here for you.

Note: If you want to see a close-up of any of the images for this method, check out these slides: How to forward your post online with Japan Post [Pictorial Guide]

Step 1: Go to Japan Post’s e-tenkyo site and log-in.

Create a Yuubin ID account if needed. 

Once logged in, you can fill out a tenkyo todoke via PC or smartphone. 

Step 2: Choose an ID verification method.

You will have to verify yourself with your ID.

You can choose between a My Number Card, the fastest method, or other IDs such as your residence card or driver’s license.

Step 3: Agree to terms and conditions.

You must scroll all the way down to agree.

Step 4: Input your current and new address.

Review and click confirm after inputting your current address and the new mail forwarding address.

Step 5: Add any family member names, if needed.

If anyone else lives at the same address, you can also input their names so they don't have to fill out the same form.

Step 6: Check your email for your notification number.

A notification number will allow you to check on the mail forwarding application.

Frequently asked questions

What is post-redirection in Japan?

Tenkyo todoke (転居届) is Japan Post's mail redirection service. For one year, all postal mail items will be redirected to the new address for free.

How long does tenkyo todoke last for?

Tenkyo todoke lasts for one year. You can check the forwarding transfer period on top of the forwarding label. Look for 転送期間:[year.month.date]迄 for when tenkyo todoke officially ends.

Can I reapply for tenkyo todoke again for the same address?

Yes. When applying for tenkyo todoke again, submit the same relocation form again.

When should I submit my tenkyo todoke form?

You can submit your tenkyo todoke form before or after moving. It's recommended to submit it at least a few days before your move to ensure seamless mail forwarding. The service typically takes 3-7 business days to become active after submission.

What happens if I submit tenkyo todoke after I've already moved?

You can still submit the form after moving. However, any mail delivered to your old address between your move date and when the forwarding service becomes active may not be forwarded.

Does tenkyo todoke forward all types of mail?

Tenkyo todoke forwards most regular mail, including letters, bills, and small packages. However, it does not forward cash-on-delivery (COD) items, registered mail that requires signature confirmation, or certain types of express delivery services.

What about mail from private delivery companies like Yamato or Sagawa?

Tenkyo todoke only applies to Japan Post mail. Private delivery companies have their own separate forwarding services that you'll need to arrange independently.

Can I use tenkyo todoke if I'm moving temporarily?

Yes, tenkyo todoke works for both permanent and temporary moves. This is useful for extended business trips, study abroad programs, or temporary relocations.

What if I move again during the one-year forwarding period?

You can submit a new tenkyo todoke form with your newest address. This will redirect mail from your first forwarding address to your second new address.

Can I extend tenkyo todoke beyond one year?

While the initial service lasts one year, you can reapply for another year of forwarding using the same process. There's no limit to how many times you can renew the service.

How do I know if my tenkyo todoke application was successful?

When applying online, you'll receive a notification number via email. You can use this number to check your application status on the Japan Post website. For in-person or mail submissions, you can call Japan Post customer service to verify.

Can I cancel tenkyo todoke before the one-year period ends?

Yes, you can cancel the forwarding service early by visiting a Japan Post office with your ID and requesting cancellation. This might be useful if you want mail to go directly to your new address sooner.

Is help available in English for filling out tenkyo todoke?

While the forms and online system are primarily in Japanese, some major post offices in international areas may have English-speaking staff. Consider bringing a Japanese-speaking friend or using translation apps for assistance.

In closing

Using the tenkyo todoke form is a convenient way to continue to receive your mail after moving. Whether you choose to fill out the form in person or online, it's a straightforward and accessible process for forwarding mail within Japan.

For international mail forwarding, consider international forwarding services like MailMate to help you stay on top of your Japanese mail.