Formal to Acquaintance
Cultural · Greeting
このたびこちらに引っ越してまいりました。ご挨拶が遅れましてすみません。よろしくお願いいたします。 — I've recently moved here. I apologize for the delay in introducing myself. I look forward to being your neighbor. (Cultural · Greeting, Formal to Acquaintance, JLPT N3)
You
このたびこちらに引っ越してまいりました。ご挨拶が遅れましてすみません。よろしくお願いいたします。
このたびこちらにひっこしてまいりました。ごあいさつがおくれましてすみません。よろしくおねがいいたします。
I've recently moved here. I apologize for the delay in introducing myself. I look forward to being your neighbor.
Romaji: Kono tabi kochira ni hikkoshite mairimashita. Goaisatsu ga okuremashite sumimasen. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. / Reply Romaji: Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasu. Nanika areba koe wo kakete kudasai.
Reply
こちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。何かあれば声をかけてください。
こちらこそ、よろしくおねがいします。なにかあればこえをかけてください。
Likewise, welcome to the neighborhood. Please reach out if you need anything.
Gesture & etiquette
Knock on the door, and when the neighbor answers, bow at 30 degrees immediately. Hold out the gift with both hands while introducing yourself. If no one is home, leave the gift at the door with a written note including your apartment number.
Neighborhood greeting visits (引越し挨拶) are deeply expected in Japan. Visit the neighbors immediately to your left, right, and directly above/below in apartments — typically within the first week of moving. Bring a small wrapped gift (often packaged sweets). Skipping this visit can create lasting awkwardness.