Nengajô

[Sunken]

I'm thinking I might try and write a 年賀状 for my pen-pal in Japan. The Swedish post office tells me delivery time is 4 weekdays for a letter to Japan, but do you have to send 年賀状 earlier than that? Will they recognize it if it's just an ordinary postcard with 年賀 written on it?
What else should be on it, in terms of layout?

[chchan45]

A quick search on google using the phrase 年賀状　書き方 found this site. It even has a completed 年賀状 as a sample.

I have never written one before but I think it is extremely formal and all you need are some set phrases.

[AJBryant]

Heck, many (many, many, many) cards in Japan are preprinted (or pre-calligraphed, if you will) with the proper sentiments. You only need to sign them.


Tony

[Dehitay]

He made it sound like he's in Sweden though

[coco]

Sunken wrote:
Will they recognize it if it's just an ordinary postcard with 年賀 written on it?

Yes, write 年賀 with red pen so that they will deliver it on 元旦.

[shin1ro]

Sunken san, the red 年賀 is normally written just below a stamp. （you may already know）

-shin1ro