Japan Virtual Office: Address and Mail Guide
Information checked: 3 October 2026
Advertising disclosure: this website uses display advertising. Official reference links in this guide are not affiliate application links. Providers do not determine our editorial conclusions.
Before you publish your business address, decide what you need it to do. Displaying an address on a website, receiving mail and registering a company are three different requirements. A low-cost address-only plan may be useful for one purpose and unsuitable for the others.
Imagine launching an online store without putting your home address in front of every customer. An address service can help with that practical concern—but what happens when a customer sends a letter there? Choosing the right plan now can prevent a missed document or an unexpected upgrade later.
Start with your purpose, not the lowest monthly price
| Your goal | Check before applying |
|---|---|
| Display an address on a website or online store | Permitted uses, account name and the date you may start using the address. |
| Receive business mail | Accepted mail types, registered recipient names, notification method, forwarding frequency and extra fees. |
| Use a registered head-office address | Whether your chosen plan permits company registration and how to apply before incorporation. |
Do not assume that permission to display an address includes mail handling. Customers may send mail to a publicly displayed address. If your plan does not accept it, provide a separate mailing address and ask the provider how misdirected items are handled.
Your business stage changes the questions to ask
Sole proprietors and freelancers
Check the contracting name, whether mail addressed to your trading name can be accepted and whether your intended use on invoices or business materials is allowed. If important documents will move away from your home, ask about excluded mail types as well as forwarding frequency.
Existing companies
Decide whether you are moving the registered head office or simply adding a business contact address. These are not the same task. Confirm the permitted use, required documents and start date before announcing a change.
Before incorporation
Ask whether you can contract in your personal name and change the account after incorporation. Confirm the order of address activation and your registration application. Renting an address does not itself guarantee company registration or bank-account approval.
A current example: GMO Office Support
The official pricing page (Japanese), checked on 3 October 2026, lists these tax-inclusive monthly base-price equivalents:
| Plan | Base price | Registration / mail |
|---|---|---|
| No forwarding | ¥660/month | Neither company registration nor mail receipt. |
| Monthly forwarding | ¥1,650/month | Registration permitted; mail forwarded monthly. |
| Every two weeks | ¥2,200/month | Registration permitted; fortnightly forwarding. |
| Weekly forwarding | ¥2,750/month | Registration permitted; weekly forwarding. |
Address use remains subject to the provider's conditions. These base prices do not include all forwarding or optional charges. Choose a frequency that fits the documents you expect—not simply the lowest number.
Budget for the contract, not just one month
The official service rules (Japanese) specify a one-year service period with annual automatic renewal; renewal payment is one year in advance. Check the initial invoice and discount conditions separately.
Regular forwarding costs ¥330 per dispatch for mail within the stated 150g and size limits; other sizes or weights can cost ¥550 or the actual cost. Additional recipient names and other options can add charges. Verify the accepted items, cancellation deadline and refund conditions before paying.
A base-price revision is planned for early January 2027. That is a planned period, not a confirmed exact date. The terms displayed when you apply take priority over this dated example.
Applying from an international background?
An English guide does not mean that every provider offers English support or accepts every applicant. Before paying, ask about your residency and business situation, identity documents, permitted business activity, available support language and forwarding destination. Do not assume international forwarding is included.
You can send a focused enquiry: “I need an address for [website / registration] and mail for [personal / company / trading name]. I need forwarding to [destination]. Can this plan support that, and what is the total first-year cost?” Avoid sending identity documents until you are using the provider's legitimate application process.
Five checks before you commit
- Write down where the address will appear and whether you need registration and mail handling.
- Choose the correct contracting identity: individual, existing company or pre-incorporation applicant.
- Confirm accepted mail, recipient names, forwarding schedule and all extra charges.
- Check identity/business screening, support language and the address activation date.
- Review the total invoice, contract period, renewal and cancellation rules before applying.
Choose your next step
If address display is your only need, confirm the permitted uses first. If documents will arrive, compare a mail-handling plan. If you need a registered office, confirm that use expressly before beginning registration.
Check GMO Office Support plans and application options
Official website in Japanese; this is a non-affiliate reference link. Check eligibility and terms before submitting an application.