Do you live in Japan, and want to go on an extended trip?
Need your mail held for you while you are out of town?
Luckily, there is a way to do this, and it is surprisingly easy!
All you will need to do is fill out a 不在届 (ふざいとどけ — fuzai todoke, “Notice of Absence” form) and turn it in at your Post Office. You can easily download the form directly from the Japan Post Website, print it out, and fill it out in advance.
The instructions for the form are available in Japanese on the Japan Post website, but I made an English example for you to use (see below or access the full resolution). Basically, you fill in the date and your address, name, and telephone number at the top, fill out the dates you want your mail held below that and also at the bottom of the form, then stamp it and bring the filled out form to the Counter at your Post Office along with your 在留カード (ざいりゅうカード / zairyuu kaado / Residency Card). The regular mail counter/package counter will do, you shouldn’t have to grab a number to wait for this since it’s a simple drop off. (At least, it was at my post office!)
The Clerk will check your ID, give you your receipt, and then a few days later you will receive a postcard in the mail confirming that they will hold your mail for you. (This postcard confirmation is done to help prevent mail theft.) Your mail can be held for a maximum of 30 days. You should submit the form a minimum of a week in advance of when you want the hold to begin. This isn’t a firm regulation, but why leave it to chance? And you might as well get it out of your hair so you don’t forget before you go, right?
I hope that this has helped you. If you have anything to add about the process or found that this worked for you, please let me know in the comments.
Thanks for your visit to my blog, I hope you’ll have a nice trip!
jisaboke 
