The Japanese address system is very different from those used in many other countries. Instead of street names and house numbers, Japan uses areas, blocks, and building numbers.
In this article, you’ll learn how the Japanese address system works, what each part means, how to read and write addresses, and important keywords used for mail and delivery.

1. How the Japanese Address System Works

Japanese addresses are based on administrative areas, not streets.
Locations are identified by dividing cities into smaller and smaller units.

The order goes from large to small:

1. Prefecture
2. City / Ward / Town
3. Area name
4. Block numbers (丁目ちょうめ・番ばん・号ごう)
5. Building name and room number

This system makes sense once you understand that addresses are based on zones, not road names.

2. Basic Structure of a Japanese Address

A standard Japanese address looks like this (example):

〒160-0023  
東京都新宿区西新宿7丁目8番1号 
NihongoNanaビル 101

Let’s look at each part in detail.

3. Each Address Item Explained

① Postal Code（郵便番号ゆうびんばんごう）

Format: 〒123-4567

• Always 7 digits
• Often written at the top
• The 〒 symbol means “postal”

How to read:
〒160-0023 → ichi-roku-zero, zero-zero-ni-san
(Numbers are usually read individually.)

② Prefecture（都と・道どう・府ふ・県けん）

Japan has 47 prefectures, and each ends with one of these:

Example:
東京都とうきょうと, 北海道ほっかいどう, 大阪府おおさかふ, 愛知県あいちけん

③ City / Ward / Town（市し・区く・町まち・村むら）

Example:
名古屋市なごやし, 新宿区しんじゅくく, 中村町なかむらちょう, 豊根村とよねむら

📌 In rural areas, 郡ぐん, meaning district, may appear between the prefecture and the town or village.

④ Area Name（町名ちょうめい）

This is the local area name within a city or ward.

Example:
西新宿にししんじゅく

Area names are extremely important because there are no street names.

⑤ Block Numbers（丁目ちょうめ・番ばん・号ごう）

This is the core of the Japanese address system.

Example:
7丁目8番1号ななちょうめ はちばん いちごう
→ District 7, Block 8, Building 1

📌 In casual writing, this is often shortened to 7-8-1, and the hyphens represent the particle 「の」.

⑥ Building Name & Room Number

For apartments or offices:

Example:
NihongoNanaビル 101
→ Room 101 of NihongoNana Building

Room numbers usually come after the building name.

4. How to Write a Japanese Address

Writing Rules

• Write from top to bottom or left to right
• Order is large → small
• Numbers are often written in Arabic numerals

Example

〒160-0023  
東京都新宿区西新宿7丁目8番1号  
NihongoNanaビル 101

5. Important Address & Mail Vocabulary

These words are essential when sending mail, filling out forms, or using delivery services.

Example:
山田太郎様やまだたろうさま（Recipient name on mail）

6. Key Points to Remember

• Japanese addresses are area-based, not street-based
• Always include 丁目ちょうめ・番ばん・号ごう
• The order is large → small
• Use 様さま for polite mail
• Postal code placement is important

Final Thoughts

The Japanese address system may seem complicated, but it is highly organized and logical once you understand its structure. Learning how to read and write addresses—and knowing key terms like 宛名あてな, 宛先あてさき, and 送おくり主ぬし—will help you live, work, and communicate more smoothly in Japan.

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