Writing the Back of the Inner Envelope (Naka-bukuro): Putting Your Address and Postcode in Kanji Numerals, with Samples

What goes on the back of the inner envelope, and where

The basic layout is to write your address and name vertically in the lower left of the back of the inner envelope. Your name also goes on the outer envelope, but outer envelopes may be removed at reception or bundled together with other envelopes, so the inner envelope alone should show who gave how much.

• Write the postcode and address on the right (if the address is long, split it into two lines and start the second line one character lower)
• Write your full name on the left, slightly larger than the address
• If you haven't written the amount on the front, or the inner envelope has no space for it on the front, write the amount on the right of the back
• Keep everything within the left half of the back, and don't write to the right of the center line

Rules for turning address numbers into kanji numerals

In a vertical address, Arabic numerals are converted to kanji numerals. There's no fixed rule, but the following conventions make it easy to read.

• Write numbers of up to two digits with place values: 12 → 十二, 45 → 四十五
• Write numbers of three or more digits one digit at a time: 101 → 一〇一, 2026 → 二〇二六
• Replace the hyphens between block numbers with a long vertical stroke (shown here as －) or with the hiragana character no ("of"): 1-2-3 → 一－二－三 or 一 no 二 no 三
• Use 〇 for zero (not 零)

Whether you use place values as in 十五 or write digit by digit as in 一五 is a matter of preference, and neither is wrong. But mixing them on one envelope makes it hard to read, so keep the block numbers consistent. Writing a three-digit number such as a room number with place values (二百一) makes it easy to misread as a different number, so writing it digit by digit is the safe choice.

If an apartment or building name contains Latin letters, either make them full-width and stack them vertically one by one, or write them in a readable form such as ＡＢＣ Heights. Floor numbers such as "5F" fit vertical writing better rewritten as 五階 (fifth floor). If the address is too long for one line, break it at the municipality or block number and move the building name to the second line for readability.

Writing the postcode

The postcode goes at the very top of the address. Convert each digit to a kanji numeral without place values, and join the three-digit and four-digit parts with a vertical stroke.

If the inner envelope has a horizontal postcode box (seven squares) printed on it, it's fine to write Arabic numerals to fit the box. On envelopes that mix vertical and horizontal fields, switch the type of numerals to match the direction of each field.

Joint names, couples and company names

• Married couples: on the outer envelope, the usual practice is to write the husband's full name in the center with only the wife's given name to its left. Use the same order on the back of the inner envelope.
• Joint names of two or three people: on the outer envelope, arrange them from the right in order of seniority (or in Japanese syllabary order if there's no hierarchy), and write everyone's name on the back of the inner envelope too.
• Four or more people: on the outer envelope, write the representative's name and 「外一同」 ("and all others"), then write everyone's names and addresses on a separate sheet and put it in the inner envelope.
• Company names and titles: write the company name small at the upper right of your name. For a whole department, write something like 「〇〇株式会社 営業部一同」 ("all of the sales department, 〇〇 Co., Ltd.").

With kōden, return gifts may be sent to each person individually even for joint names, so writing everyone's full address on the separate sheet saves the family effort. How to choose the omotegaki for the outer envelope is summarized in Choosing the omotegaki for a kōden envelope.

Envelopes without an inner envelope, or inner envelopes without fields

Some simple kōden envelopes with printed mizuhiki, and small gift envelopes like pochi-bukuro, don't come with an inner envelope. In that case, write your address and the amount vertically in the lower left of the back of the outer envelope. The omotegaki and name go on the front, and the usual layout on the back is the amount on the right and the address on the left.

If nothing is printed on the inner envelope, write the amount in the center of the front and your address and name in the lower left of the back. How to write the amount in daiji is listed in Writing the amount on the inner envelope, with a daiji chart.

Converting your address to kanji numerals and making a sample

1. 1

   Enter your postcode and address

   In the How to Write the Envelope tab of How to Write Shugi-bukuro & Kōden-bukuro, enter the postcode and address for the inner envelope as you'd normally write them horizontally.

2. 2

   Choose how numbers are converted

   Choose between automatic (place values up to two digits, digit by digit for three or more) and all digit by digit, and whether hyphens become a vertical stroke or the character no. You can also copy the converted address.

3. 3

   Write while looking at the sample of the back

   The vertical sample of the back of the inner envelope shows the postcode, address and name laid out in place. Save it as an image and you can copy it while looking at your phone.

The name and address you enter are used only inside your browser. They aren't included in share URLs and aren't sent to any server.

FAQ

How do I write the block number "1-2-3" on the inner envelope?

In vertical writing, 一－二－三 (with long vertical strokes) or 一 no 二 no 三 is usual. Writing the formal form 一丁目二番三号 makes misreading even less likely.

How do I write room 101 in kanji numerals?

Writing it digit by digit as 一〇一号室 is easiest to read and recommended. You can also use place values as 百一号室, but that form looks unfamiliar as a room number.

Should the postcode on the inner envelope be in kanji numerals too?

If writing vertically, convert each digit as in 〒一〇〇－〇〇〇五. If a horizontal postcode box is printed, it's fine to use Arabic numerals.

Do I need my address on the inner envelope for goshugi too?

It's polite to include it. Goshugi envelopes are often opened together after the wedding, and the couple uses the address when sending return gifts. For kōden, always write it.

Where do I write my address on a kōden envelope without an inner envelope?

Write your address and the amount vertically in the lower left of the back of the outer envelope. Only the omotegaki and your name go on the front.