Writing a letter or a postcard to your Japanese friend? Here is how to write them in Japanese!
First of all, let’s look at some vocabulary.
| Vocabulary | Kana | Phonetic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 住所 | じゅうしょ | juusho | Address |
| 郵便番号 | ゆうびんばんごう | yuubin bangoo | Postcode |
| 宛名 | あてな | atena | Name of receiver |
| 切手 | きって | kitte | Stamp |
| 郵便局 | ゆうびんきょく | yuubinkyoku | Post office |
| 郵便ポスト | ゆうびんポスト | yuubin posuto | Postbox |
| 手紙 | てがみ | tegami | Letter |
| 封筒 | ふうとう | fuutoo | Envelope |
| 葉書 | はがき | hagaki | Postcard |
Write the address and the name
Please note: the information is for the domestic postal services within Japan.
Stamp
Stamps can be purchased at post offices and convenience stores (at the counter). Post offices also have stamps with seasonal designs, so if you care for a design, visit your nearby post office!
Price of a stamp for:
– a standard-sized envelope: 110 yen (less than 50g)
– a postcard: 85 yen
* Information as of February 2024.
Phrases
すみません、110円の切手を1枚お願いします。
/sumimasen, hyaku-juu en no kitte o ichimai onegai shimasu./
Excuse me, could I get a 110-yen stamp, please?
Postcode
Japanese postcodes are 3 digits – 4 digits. You can search for a postcode from the link below (Japanese).
Address
The receiver’s address is usually written vertically for postcards and horizontally for letters.
Name
The receiver’s name is written in a larger size than the address.
Do not forget to attach 様 which means Dear Mr. / Ms.
And of course, we don’t write 様 for our own names as a sender.
Message
To start, mark the receiver’s name with the particle “へ” which means “to” in English.
“より” is attached to your name as a sender, which means “from” in English.
Post
To post your letter or postcard, you can find postboxes on the streets of Japan. You may also find it inside the convenience stores!
〒 is the symbol of Japan’s postal mark.
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