Photo by 円周率３パーセント is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Ever tried to send a postcard from Tokyo or decipher a Japanese address? If so, you've probably noticed that they're a bit like a puzzle, written in a completely different order than what you might be used to.
In this guide, we'll break down the components of a Japanese address system, piece by piece. From postal codes to prefecture names, we'll help you understand the logical order of how a Japanese address is pieced together so you can confidently send or receive Japanese mail and find your way around like a local. Whether you're planning a trip to Japan or simply curious about the culture, understanding Japanese addresses is a valuable skill. Let's get started!
Japanese address format: An example
Japanese addresses are written in order of the largest area to the smallest, starting with the prefecture and ending with the street address. This is in the reverse order of how Western countries typically write addresses.
For example, consider how the address for Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, would be broken down by component.
Address in English:
Tarō Yamada
2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa
Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
[recipient name]
[subarea #]-[block #]-[building #] [subarea]
[city, town, or ward], [prefecture] [postal-code], [country]
Address in Japanese:
〒111-0032
東京都台東区浅草2-3-1
山田太郎様
[generic postal symbol 〒] [postal-code]
[prefecture] [city, town, or ward] [subarea] [subarea #]-[block #]-[building #]
[recipient name]
The different components of a Japanese address
Now that you understand the hierarchy, let's zoom in on the individual parts of a Japanese address. It's like a recipe – each ingredient plays a crucial role in getting you to the final destination.
Postal code (yūbin bangō 郵便番号)
Japanese postal codes have seven digits, with the first three digits and the last four digits separated by a hyphen (e.g., 123-4567). The first two digits represent a prefecture and multiple digits can be assigned to a given prefecture. The third digit indicates a city or a group of cities. The fourth and fifth digits represent a delivery area with the city or town, such as a neighborhood or district. And the last two digits pinpoint a specific block or group of addresses with the delivery area.
Prefecture (to/dō/fu/ken 都/道/府/県)
Next up is the prefecture, which are similar to states in the America. Japan has a total of 47 prefectures.
Common prefecture names you may come across are Tokyo, Osaka, and Hokkaido. Some cities share names with their prefecture. When writing an address, the prefecture is usually written in kanji (Japanese characters).
Municipality (shichōson 市町村)
This is the city, town, or village. If you're heading to a major city like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, you'll see the word "shi" (市) after the name. For smaller towns, it's "machi" (町), and for villages, it's "mura" (村).
Subdivision (ku/gun 区/郡)
Big cities like Tokyo are divided into wards (ku), each with its own number (e.g., Shinjuku-ku, Shibuya-ku). Rural areas have counties (gun) instead. This helps narrow down the location even further.
Town/village/district (chōme 丁目)
These are smaller neighborhoods within the municipality, numbered sequentially. You might see them written as 1-chome, 2-chome, etc.
Block number (banchi 番地)
This indicates a specific block within the district. The numbers can be a bit random so we advise you to check street signs and maps to find where you want to go.
For example, take a look at this screenshot from a residential area in Tokyo. The one- or two-digit numbers over each section represent the block number. For instance, the bottom left area has a “4” over it, which means that area is Block 4. If you were to go in any direction along the streets, you’ll notice eventually the numbers won’t change in a logical order. If you go right from Block 4, the block numbers on your right will go down to 1 but then jump to 15 at the end.
House number (gō 号)
This is the last piece of most addresses – the exact house or building number. Each block can have multiple addresses so the house number helps you identify a specific building.
Building name, floor number, apartment number
If the building has a name, you'll need to include it as well. And if sending something to an apartment or the address has a floor number, be sure to include the building name (or number), your apartment number, and the floor you're on.
Recipient name (jushin-mei 受信者名)
Last but not least, don't forget to include the name of the person you're sending the mail to (or your own name if you're having something delivered to you).
How to write an address for domestic and international mail
If you need to use the postal services in Japan to send something to or from Japan, you should write the address in a specific order to ensure it can be delivered to the right place, whether to someone you know or yourself.
Domestic mail – Use the Japanese format
- Vertical writing: Japanese addresses are traditionally written vertically, from top to bottom, and then right to left.
- Reversed elements: The order is a bit different from what you might be used to. It starts with the postal code, followed by the prefecture, municipality, subdivisions, town/village/district, block number, house number, building name/apartment number, and finally, the recipient's name.
- Kanji and characters: You'll need to use the correct kanji (Japanese characters) for the prefecture and municipality names. Don't worry if you don't know them all – you can easily find them online or ask for help at the post office.
International mail – Use English/Romaji format:
- Horizontal writing: When sending mail from outside Japan, you can write the address horizontally, from left to right.
- Order of elements: The order of elements is reversed from the Japanese format. Start with the recipient's name, then the house number, block number, town/village/district, subdivisions, municipality, prefecture.
- Country: Right after the postal code, right "JAPAN" in all capital letters. This is not necessary for domestic mail as it’s assumed the address is within Japan.
Navigating Japan
Having read this guide, you should be equipped to get around Japan much more easily. To help you get around Japan more smoothly, consider these tips:
Navigational apps
Don't be afraid to use online maps like Google Maps or GPS apps specifically designed for Japan. They can be lifesavers when trying to locate an address, especially in big cities. Many of these apps allow you to search in English and even offer walking or public transportation directions. You can check out our list of recommended apps for navigating Japan that you can download for your trip.
Don't be shy, ask for help!
If you're feeling lost, don't hesitate to ask for help. Most Japanese people are incredibly friendly and willing to assist. Asking for directions in Japanese is a great way to practice your language skills, too! Having the address written down in Japanese can be a huge help, as it ensures there's no misunderstanding.
The staff or host of your hotel or other lodging can be an invaluable resource. They can help you with directions, call taxis for you, and even write down addresses in Japanese if needed.
When addressing someone in Japanese, it's customary to use honorifics like "-san" (similar to Mr./Ms.) after their name. This shows respect and politeness. For example, you would address Mr. Tanaka as "Tanaka-san."
Be mindful that sharing personal information like your home address might not be as common in Japan as it is in some other countries. Use your judgment and only share what you feel comfortable with.
Conclusion
With this newfound understanding of Japanese addresses, navigating the country and sending mail should be a breeze. Whether you're planning a trip to Japan or simply curious about the culture, knowing how to decipher these addresses is a practical and useful skill. You can now read and write Japanese addresses with confidence.
