In short: post by December 25, arrive within the new-year period
To arrive on January 1, post by around December 25. A new year card should reach the recipient within the new-year period (matsunouchi: January 7, or January 15 in parts of Kansai). After that, switch to a winter greeting (kanchu-mimai).
Japan Post begins accepting new year cards on December 15. Cards posted between December 15 and 25 are delivered for January 1. Posting on the 26th to 28th may still arrive on the 1st, but it is not guaranteed.
| Posting date | Expected delivery |
|---|---|
| December 15-25 | Arrives January 1 (usual guideline) |
| December 26-28 | Likely January 1-3 |
| December 29 onward | After the 3rd; fine as a new year card if within the new-year period |
| Arriving January 8 or later | Send as a winter greeting, not a new year card |
Acceptance and delivery dates shift year to year. Check Japan Post's announcement for the year.
By when should you reply to a card you received?
If a card arrives from someone you did not send to, reply so it arrives within the new-year period (by January 7). Add "a greeting plus thanks plus a brief apology for the delay."
- If you notice by around January 3: reply by new year card at once, thanking them for their greeting
- If the new-year period is about to end: reply with a winter greeting instead
- If they were in mourning: skip the new year card and send a winter greeting after the period ends
For wording, see relationship-specific samples in New Year Cards: How to Write.
Switching to a winter greeting: January 8 to early February
A winter greeting (kanchu-mimai) is a seasonal card sent from January 8 until the start of spring (around February 4). Use it when you missed the new year card, to greet someone in mourning, or to reply when you received a card while in mourning.
Use an ordinary postcard for a winter greeting, not a new year lottery postcard. Open with "Sending you warm winter greetings," then mention the new year card, any apology, and a line of news.
Past the start of spring, it becomes a "late-winter greeting" (until about the end of February).
How long to keep old cards, and how to dispose of them
There is no fixed rule, but a practical approach is to keep the most recent two years for updating your address book and dispose of the rest. Once you have confirmed addresses for next year's cards, let go of the year before.
- Disposal: shred so names and addresses are unreadable, or roll over them with a privacy stamp, then put out as paper recycling
- Ritual burning: some shrines accept treasured or spoiled cards at the dondo-yaki bonfire (confirm in advance; it is primarily for decorations)
- Spoiled cards: the post office can exchange misprinted cards for stamps or plain postcards for a fee
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Frequently asked questions
By when should cards be posted to arrive on January 1?
By around December 25. Acceptance starts December 15, and cards posted within that window are delivered for New Year's Day.
By when must a card arrive to not seem rude?
Within the new-year period (January 7, or 15 in parts of Kansai). After that, switch to a winter greeting.
What if my reply misses January 7?
Send it as a winter greeting on an ordinary postcard, opening with "Sending you warm winter greetings" and adding thanks and an apology for the delay.
When does the new-year period end? Does it vary by region?
In most areas, mainly Kanto, until January 7; in parts of Kansai, until January 15. Card replies follow the same window.
How should old cards be disposed of?
Make personal details unreadable with a shredder or privacy stamp first, then put them out as paper recycling.