Daily Life Lessons · Post
Be able to read a missed-delivery notice left in your mailbox to find out which company delivered what, the storage period, and the number to use for redelivery, tell it apart from fake notices, and take the steps to receive the item.
If mail or a parcel arrives while you are out, a missed-delivery notice (不在票 / ご不在連絡票) is left in your mailbox. First, check which company it is from. The design of the notice and the way to request redelivery differ between companies, such as Japan Post and courier companies.
With Japan Post, mail that could not be delivered is kept at the delivering post office for 7 days, and is returned to the sender if not received within that time. Read the notice carefully and act early. To request redelivery, use the tracking number (追跡番号 / お知らせ番号, notice number): the 6-digit or 11- to 13-digit number in the red box.
For restricted-delivery mail (本人限定受取郵便), an "arrival notice" (到着のお知らせ) is sent instead of a missed-delivery notice, and you need an identification document to receive it. Some "missed delivery" messages sent by text message (SMS) or email are fake. Do not open the links; check with the notice in your mailbox or the company's official website or app.
家に いない ときに 荷物が 来ると、ポストに「不在票（ふざいひょう）」が 入ります。
見る ところ： - どの 会社か（日本郵便、宅配便の 会社 など） - 番号（赤い わくの 中）
この 番号で、もう一度 届けて もらいます（再配達）。
日本郵便は 7日間 郵便局で 待って くれます。すぎると 送った 人に もどります。
「本人限定受取（ほんにんげんていうけとり）」は「到着（とうちゃく）のお知らせ」が 来ます。本人確認書類が いります。
SMSの「不在の お知らせ」には うそが あります。リンクを 押さないで ください。
When you see a missed-delivery notice, what should you check first?
The design of the notice and the way to request redelivery differ by company, so first check which company it is from.
What number do you enter when requesting redelivery from Japan Post?
Enter the 6-digit or 11- to 13-digit number in the red box.
With Japan Post, how many days is mail that could not be delivered kept at the post office?
It is kept at the delivering post office for 7 days, and is returned to the sender if not received within that time.
When restricted-delivery mail arrives, what is put in your mailbox?
For restricted-delivery mail, an "arrival notice" is sent. You need an identification document to receive it.
What should you do if you get a text message with a link saying "We took your parcel back because you were out"?
There are fake text messages pretending to be from delivery companies. Do not open the link; check with a real notice or the official website or app.
Q. I can't read the number on the notice.
A. For Japan Post, you can ask the post office in charge of delivery or the call center. Check the contact details on Japan Post's official website. For other companies, check the contact information on that company's official website.
Q. What if I want to receive it somewhere other than my home, or at the post office counter?
A. Japan Post's online redelivery requests are for delivery to your home only. If you want to receive it somewhere other than your home or at the counter, follow the instructions on the notice and contact the post office or the call center.
Q. What should I bring when I go to the counter to pick it up?
A. For Japan Post, bring an identification document that shows your name and address (such as a driver's license, My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) or passport), your personal seal (or a signature if you don't have one), and the notice. For restricted-delivery mail, you need the "arrival notice" and the type of identification document required for that mail.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original