How To Pause Mail Delivery In Japan: A Fuzai Todoke Guide

If you will be temporarily away from Japan and want to pause your mail while away, it's important to ensure your mail is handled properly.

Japan Post allows you to hold mail delivery for up to 30 days using the 不在届 absence form.

We will walk you through the simple steps of pausing your mail in Japan, explain important considerations, and offer solutions for longer absences.

✅ How to temporarily hold mail in Japan (quick steps)

1. Download the 不在届 (fuzai todoke) form or pick it up at your local post office.

2. Fill in your address, dates, name, and contact information.

3. Bring the completed form + ID + hanko/signature to the post office.

4. Submit it at the counter.

5. Your mail will be held for up to 30 days.

Japan’s hold mail service: 不在届

Japan Post ​​不在届 (fuzai todoke) form

​​不在届 (fuzai todoke) is Japan's Post hold or pause mail delivery service. It is a "Notice of Absence" to notify the Japanese post office that you will be absent from your postal address.

Your nearest Japan Post office will hold mail, letters, government notices, etc for up to 30 days for free.

To pause mail delivery with Japan Post, you will need to submit the ​​不在届 in person along with:

• Photo ID (driver's license, residence card, National Health Insurance card)

• Inkan or hanko

How to fill out fuzai todoke at your local post office location

You only need to fill out the top section of the fuzai todoke: 

How to fill out 不在届

This form is only available in Japanese. Here is what you need to fill out:

1. Submission date

2. Your address

3. Your name

4. Inkan or Hanko

5. Phone number

6. How long you want Japan Post to hold your mail (up to 30 days)

You can download and fill out the form to submit to your local post office location, or you can request the form at the office and complete it.

What if I don't have a hanko?

If you don’t have an inkan/hanko, you can still submit a hold mail request form in Japan.

Japan Post will accept a signature instead.

While the 不在届 (fuzai todoke) form includes a space labeled 印 (seal), you are not legally required to use a hanko for this procedure.

✅Japan Post accepts signatures!

Most post offices allow you to sign the hold mail request form in the 印 box. This is common for foreigners, as many residents no longer use personal seals.

✅ Bring your photo ID for identity verification

Since you’re submitting without a hanko, the staff may check your identity more carefully. Bring one of the following for identity verification:

• Residence card

• Driver’s license

• National Health Insurance card

✅If staff asks for a hanko...

This is rare but possible at smaller branches. If they request a hanko:

1. Politely explain you do not own one.

2. Tell them you would like to use your handwritten signature instead.

3. If they still refuse, ask whether:

   • You can sign the form, or

   • They can stamp the form with the post office’s official seal, which some locations will do.

✅Can someone submit a fuzai todoke form for you?

Yes. Japan Post generally allows a proxy to submit the 不在届 on your behalf. Your representative will need:

• The completed and signed form

• Their own ID

• A simple note or verbal explanation that they are submitting it for you

🌎 Consider alternatives if you’re overseas

If you’re already abroad and cannot physically visit the post office (with or without a hanko), Japan Post does not accept online submissions. In that case, you’ll need a service like MailMate to receive, scan, or forward your mail while you’re away.

When should I submit fuzai todoke to pause my mail?

It's best to submit the fuzai todoke form to pause your mail at least one week before you want them to start holding your mail in Japan. 

Submit the form to the nearest post office to your address.

Remember to bring your ID when submitting the form. 

Important notes about fuzai todoke

Here are a few things to remember when using fuzai todoke to pause your mail in Japan.

1) Holding mail lasts for up to 30 days.

30 days is the maximum for Japan Post's hold mail period.

During this time, any mail delivered to your address will be stored at the post office where you submitted the form. 

After the storage period, all held mail will be delivered.

To hold mail for longer than 30 days… 

Consider MailMate!

MailMate is a virtual mailbox provider where all your incoming Japanese mail, packages, and parcels are sent to them when you are away from home or abroad.

a) Dashboard to view your mail

While Japan's Post fuzai todoke is great for pausing your Japanese mail, you don't know what important mail you are receiving.

Here's where MailMate comes in. 

When your mail is sent to MailMate, they scan the outside content. From there, you can click the "Open" button, and your mail will be opened, and its inside content will be scanned for you to read and view while you are away. 

Plus, MailMate can hold your mail for as long as you need. 

b) Forwarding to receive your mail 

Since Japan Post's mail service only pauses your mail, it does not allow you to receive any important mail.

To ensure you receive your important documents while abroad, you can submit a forward mail request through MailMate, which will allow your mail to be sent directly to your international address.

To get your mail to you as fast as possible, they will use Japan Post EMS, which will include a tracking number for you to track them.

MailMate will even forward any parcels and packages domestically or internationally upon your request.

c) Pay your bills on time

It is important to stay on top of your bills while you are away to avoid any late fees. Even if Japan Pot holds your mail for a certain amount of time, those bills still need to be paid. If a certain amount of time passes, your services will be stopped.

However, if MailMate receives any bills for you, they will notify you, and you can easily arrange for MailMate to pay your bills on your behalf.

2) You cannot store specific types of mail or part of your household.

Japan Post does not allow you to request any specific mail to be held. So they can not hold only utility bills for you. They will hold all incoming mail, utility bills, Yu-Pack packages, notices, etc. when submitting the fuzai todoke form.

3) An “Absence Notification Reception Confirmation Slip” will be delivered.

A fuzai todoke confirmation slip will be sent to the submitted address to prevent third parties from submitting false forms for defrauding mail. 

4) Mail delivery if anyone can receive it at your address.

If any of your family members or anyone living with you are home while your mail is being stored, then all your stored mail will be delivered to the same address.

What happens if I do not submit a pause mail form to Japan Post?

If there is none, the mail will be stored for 7 days. After that, it will be returned to the sender, and you will need to ask the sender to resend the item.

Japan post vs. Yamato vs. Sagawa

Can you pause Yamato Transport for parcels?

Normally, Yamato Transport or Kuroneko can store your parcels for 7 days from the first attempted delivery notice date. For any refrigerated parcels, it is 3 days.

There is no extended absence notice for Kuroneko. 

However, if you have a Kuroneko Membership, you can receive notification before your package arrives. You can also prepare for the next delivery scheduled within 7 days.

If you are still away, then send the item to someone who can receive it on your behalf.

Can you pause Sagawa Express for parcels? 

For Sagawa, parcels can only be stored for up to 8 days. Refrigerated delivery takes 4 days. 

You can make an online request for your parcel to be delivered to your address within 7 days. However, any longer is not possible.

Sagawa has no extended absence notice. Therefore, sending your parcel to someone who can receive it on your behalf would be best. 

How to restart mail delivery on held mail

If you come home earlier than expected, restarting your mail delivery in Japan is simple. Japan Post does not automatically resume delivery before the end date you wrote on the 不在届 (fuzai todoke), so you’ll need to notify your post office.

Option 1: Visit your local post office location

The quickest way to resume mail service is to go directly to the Japan Post branch where you submitted the form.

Bring:

• Your photo ID

• (Optional) A copy of your fuzai todoke confirmation slip

Tell the staff you have returned early and would like to cancel the hold mail request (不在届の解除). They will immediately release your held mail and resume normal delivery.

Option 2: Call the post office where you submitted a form

If you cannot visit in person, you can call your local post office and request early resumption. Be ready to provide:

• Your name

• Address

• Phone number

• Approximate submission date of the fuzai todoke

Staff may ask you to visit later to verify your identity, but many branches will restart delivery after confirming your details by phone.

Frequently asked questions

How do you stop mail temporarily in Japan?

Japan Post allows you to temporarily pause mail delivery to your address by submitting a 不在届 (fuzai todoke). It is a "Notice of Absence" form to notify your nearest post office that you will be away from your residence to check your mail for up to 30 days.

How do you hold mail while away from Japan?

Japan Post's 不在届 (fuzai todoke) allows your nearest Japan Post office to hold your mail while you are away from Japan for up to 30 days. For longer, consider a virtual mailbox service like MailMate.

Can I submit a 不在届 (fuzai todoke) form online?

No. Japan Post currently does not offer an online submission system for pausing mail. The 不在届 must be submitted in person at your local post office. If you need remote management, you will need a virtual mailbox service.

Can I hold my mail if I'm already overseas?

Japan Post requires in-person submission, so you cannot pause your mail once you've already left Japan. If you leave the country unexpectedly or forget to file the form, consider using a service that can receive and manage your mail remotely.

Can someone else submit the hold-mail form for me?

Yes. A friend, family member, or housemate can usually submit the form on your behalf. They will need your completed and signed form, their ID, and a brief explanation that they are submitting the fuzai todoke for you.

Can I request Japan Post to hold only certain types of mail?

No. The fuzai todoke applies to all incoming items.

Can I extend the 30-day hold period?

No. Japan Post does not allow extensions beyond 30 days. If you need a longer pause, consider forwarding your mail or using a virtual mail service that can receive mail indefinitely.

Can Japan Post deliver held mail to an alternate address?

No. A fuzai todoke only pauses delivery. It does not reroute mail. To forward mail, you must submit a 転送届 (change of address) or use a forwarding-enabled service.

In closing

Japan Post has a hold mail service for you to use for up to 30 days for free. All you have to do is submit their 不在届 (fuzai todoke) form, and they will pause mail delivery to your residence.

However, if you are looking for a hold mail service for longer than 30 or a virtual mailbox service that allows you to manage your mail remotely, including viewing, forwarding, and even paying bills, consider using a service like MailMate for a more flexible and convenient solution.