Addressing a formal Japanese envelope

The idea

On a vertical envelope, write the postal code in the boxes and the address from prefecture to smaller divisions. Put the recipient’s name prominently on the front. Use 御中 after an organization or department, but 様 after a named person; write the sender’s address and name on the back.

Examples

• 郵便番号ゆうびんばんごうを枠内わくないに書かいてください。Write the postal code in the boxes.
• 住所じゅうしょは都道府県とどうふけんから書かいてください。Write the address starting with the prefecture.
• 会社名かいしゃめいの後あとに御中おんちゅうを付つけます。Add 御中 after the company name.
• 担当者たんとうしゃの名前なまえには様さまを付つけます。Add 様 to the person in charge’s name.
• 差出人さしだしにんの住所じゅうしょと名前なまえを裏うらに書かいてください。Write the sender’s address and name on the back.
• 投函とうかんする前まえに、宛名あてなと切手きってを確認かくにんしてください。Check the addressee and stamp before posting.

Watch out

Do not combine 御中 and 様 for the same addressee. If a department and a person are both named, put 様 after the person, not 御中 after the department. Check the actual address and postage.

Try it yourself

1. 会社かいしゃの宛名あてな：さくら株式会社かぶしきがいしゃ＿（御中おんちゅう／様さま）

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   御中

   御中 addresses an organization or department as a whole.

2. 個人こじんの宛名あてな：田中たなか花子はなこ＿（御中おんちゅう／様さま）

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   様

   様 follows the name of an individual recipient.

3. 差出人さしだしにんの住所じゅうしょと名前なまえは＿に書かきます。（裏うら／表おもて）

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   裏

   The sender’s address and name go on the back in this layout.

Use it today

Address one envelope to a department and another to a named employee. Add a fictional return address and check both honorifics.