In Japan, mail and parcels are delivered based on the name shown, so if your name isn't displayed on a nameplate or mailbox, delivery may not go through. Here we'll go over the basic system for reliably receiving mail and parcels, and how to handle deliveries when you're not home. Ward office procedures for changing your address are covered in more detail in a separate article, so please check that as well.
- If you don't display your name on your mailbox or your room's nameplate, mail and parcels can become harder to deliver.
- In buildings with a delivery box (takuhai bokkusu), you may be able to receive a parcel even when you're not home.
- If a delivery is attempted while you're out, an absence notice (fuzaihyō) is left in your mailbox, and you'll need to request redelivery.
- Redelivery can be requested by phone, online, or through an app.
- Adding romanized letters alongside the Japanese name on your nameplate makes it easier for delivery staff to recognize.
Why display your name on a nameplate or mailbox
Japanese mail and parcel delivery generally works by matching the addressee's name against the name shown on the mailbox or the nameplate (hyōsatsu) by the door. If the name on the lease and the name on the nameplate don't match, delivery staff can't confirm who lives there, and a parcel may go undelivered or be taken back. It's recommended to put up a nameplate at your mailbox or door soon after moving in. This is especially important for packages ordered online or important notices from government offices — not being able to receive them because there's no nameplate can affect later procedures.
Tips for writing your nameplate
Adding romanized letters alongside your name in Japanese makes it easier for delivery staff to recognize. If family members other than the leaseholder are living with you, listing their names as well makes it easier to receive mail addressed to them. If you're uncomfortable displaying your full name for security reasons, it's worth consulting the management company and considering a display method that still allows deliveries to go through. Nameplate styles vary by building, so it's reassuring to install one following the instructions provided at move-in or from the management company.
How to use a delivery box
In buildings equipped with a delivery box, you can receive parcels even when you're not home. When a delivery driver places a parcel in the box, a pickup slip with a PIN code is generally dropped in your mailbox. Since the number of delivery box compartments is limited, when they're all full you'll receive a regular absence notice and need to request redelivery. Refrigerated or frozen food items and larger parcels may not fit in a delivery box, so for those it's more reliable to specify a delivery date and time in advance.
What to do when you find an absence notice
If you weren't home at the time of delivery, an absence notice (haitatsu tsūchisho) is dropped in your mailbox. It includes a contact number for arranging redelivery, a tracking number, and instructions for requesting redelivery online. Since the way you can request redelivery — by phone, online, or via a dedicated app — differs by carrier, follow the instructions printed on the notice.
Preventing trouble with mail and parcels
If you leave your mailbox unchecked for a long time, you risk missing an important notice or having your mailbox overflow. It's worth building a habit of checking your mailbox regularly, and thinking in advance about how to handle mail if you'll be away from home for an extended period. Points to be careful about during a long absence are covered in a separate article as well. If you know roughly when deliveries tend to arrive, adjusting how you receive them — such as arranging for contactless delivery (okihai) — can reduce how often you get an absence notice in the first place.
Frequently asked questions
Will mail not be delivered if I don't put up a nameplate?
Delivery may not go through if the name can't be matched. It's recommended to display the leaseholder's name on your mailbox or at your door.
What should I do if I find an absence notice?
Request redelivery following the contact number or online instructions printed on the notice.
Do all buildings have a delivery box?
Not every building has one. Whether a delivery box is installed and how it's used varies by property, so it's reassuring to check when you move in.
Summary
To reliably receive mail and parcels, it's important to understand in advance how to set up a nameplate and use a delivery box. If you find an absence notice, request redelivery promptly, and make it a habit to check your mailbox regularly. These small preparations, added together, are the first step toward a settled and comfortable life in Japan.