Family communication toolkit

Contacting Tokyo Detention House

A step-by-step guide for families using the Japanprison system. Everything below is aggregated from public sources; the prison's own official channels are linked where available.

Data is aggregated from public sources and may be incomplete or out of date. Always verify with primary sources before acting on any figure. See data sources.

Send mail to Japan

Address block. Copy and paste into your envelope or shipping label.

〒postal-code 都道府県 city 刑務所名
1-35-1 Kosuge
Katsushika, Tokyo 124-0001
Japan
Inmate Full Name (Roman + 漢字 if known)

This prison's specific mail rules

Mail screened. Format: 〒124-0001 東京都葛飾区小菅1-35-1 東京拘置所 + name.

Country-wide mail rules

· All mail screened; foreign-language mail may take longer.
· Restrictions on number of letters per month based on inmate's behavioural grade.
· Cash never accepted by post.

Send money (JPY (¥))

Postal money order to inmate's account (郵便為替)
Visit a Japan Post office; address to the prison with the inmate's name and the prison's account reference.

Phone calls

· Almost no phone access for sentenced prisoners. Pre-trial detainees may make rare supervised calls.

This prison's general number: +81 3 3690 8131(administrative — you cannot speak to inmates this way)

Visiting

Book a visit: Walk-in or written application

Visits are typically 15 minutes weekdays only, one visitor at a time for pre-charge detainees.

This prison's visiting rules

Visits 15 minutes, weekdays only. Pre-charge detainees may be limited to one visitor at a time; foreign nationals via consulate.

Country-wide visiting rules

· Visit times very short (15 min standard).
· Foreign-language conversation usually requires prior arrangement.
· Children allowed with adult guardian.

First-visit checklist

Passport / residence card
Prison-prepared visit application form (送り状) if mailed in advance
No phone, no electronics

Legal aid

Japan Legal Support Centre (Houterasu)

Helpful to know

· The Federation of Bar Associations of Japan (Nichibenren) maintains a free-counsel referral line.

Important

This toolkit aggregates publicly available guidance. Rules vary by facility and change over time — always confirm with the prison's official contact channels before sending mail, money, or attempting a visit.