How to write a Japanese address? Careful explanation of the order of notation and how to write in English

update date 2024/03/07

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In life in Japan, there are surprisingly many opportunities to write down addresses, such as when submitting documents or sending packages. However, the unique way of writing addresses in Japan is very different from that in other countries, and many people find it confusing at first.

In this article, we will explain the basics of how to write such Japanese addresses and how to write them in English, in a careful and detailed manner so that even first-time users can easily understand them. Please take this opportunity to master it so that your life in Japan will be smooth.

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How to write a Japanese address and the order

The Japanese way of writing addresses is quite the opposite of other countries such as the United States and Europe. First, start with the broadest area, the prefecture, followed by the name of the city, ward, town or village and the name of the place. Finally, the address is completed by adding the street number or the name of the apartment building. In Japanese address writing, it is common to omit the name of the "street," which is one of the major differences from the writing system in other countries. By writing in this order, mail delivery and other services in Japan are facilitated.

1. zip code

When writing an address in Japan, the zip code is usually written first. This zip code consists of a three-digit number, followed by a hyphen, and then a four-digit number (e.g. 123-4567).

It is also common to use the prefix "〒" to indicate the zip code, as in "〒123-4567," but omitting this symbol does not pose a delivery problem. By listing the correct zip code at the beginning, mail can be delivered quickly and reliably.

2. prefecture

Next to the zip code, write the name of the prefecture（都道府県, todofuken） that represents the largest area of Japan's administrative divisions. In most cases, the name is written as "神奈川県（Kanagawa Prefecture）" or "千葉県（Chiba Prefecture）" with the letter "県（prefecture, ken）" following, but only four prefectures, "東京都（Tokyo）," "北海道（Hokkaido）," "大阪府（Osaka Prefecture）," and "京都府（Kyoto）," use different names than usual. Since these categories include "都," "道," and "府," respectively, be sure to use the correct notation.

3. city, ward, county, village, etc.

After writing the name of the prefecture（都道府県）, the next step is to list more specific administrative divisions such as city, ward, district, and village. In some areas, "市（city, shi）" and "町（town, machi）" are often used, while in certain places only "区（ward, ku）" is used, or in rural areas "郡（district, gun）" and "村（village, mura）" may apply. Therefore, it is important to check the notation used in your area and write your address accurately according to it.

4. names of towns and places

After filling in the city or ward, add the name of the town or place specifically. For example, in the case of an address of "千葉県XXX市YYY町ZZZ1-2-3（Chiba-ken, XXX-shi, YYY-machi, ZZZ 1-2-3）," "YYY" is the part of the address. The town or place name is necessary to clarify the specific area indicated by the address and is essential for delivery. By noting the exact town or place name in this manner, mail and packages can be delivered to the correct destination without confusion.

5. address number

Following the name of the town or place, the street number is written. In Japanese addresses, the numbering system uses a hyphenated format such as "1-2-3" to indicate detailed locations, or a format that clarifies "chome," "banchi," and "go." such as "1丁目2番地3号（1-chome, 2-banchi, 3-go）" with both writing styles having the same meaning. It is essential to write the street number correctly in order for the delivery to be delivered accurately.

6. apartment name, room number, etc.

After writing the number, the building name and room number should be added at the end. For example, add the name of the building in which you live and the room number, such as "XXXマンション305号室( XXX Apartment No. 305)" or "YYYアパート102号室( YYY Apartment No. 102). Although "号室（goshitsu）" indicates the room number, it is common for these terms to be omitted. In everyday conversation and informal documents, it is acceptable to use a simplified form such as "XXXマンション305." Furthermore, it is also possible to abbreviate the building name itself and use "…XXX町 YYY 1-2-3-305" to indicate the address, where the area and street number are the first numbers and the room number is the last.

Such abbreviations are especially useful when the address is given verbally, written on a routine document or package label, or in situations where descriptive space is limited. However, formal documents, documents, and official occasions often require a complete address (including all place names, street numbers, building names, and room numbers), so choose the appropriate address notation for the situation.

Also, if the room number is written incorrectly, mail and deliveries will not be delivered to the correct destination. Be sure to write the building name and especially the room number correctly.

If you live in a house, you do not have such a building name or room number, so write down the street number and you are done.

[abbreviated address].
〒123-4567
千葉県XXX市YYY町ZZZ1-2-3-305

[complete address].
〒123-4567
千葉県XXX市YYY町ZZZ1丁目2番地3号 WWWマンション305号室

Differences in Addresses by Region

In Japan, there are various regional divisions in the way addresses are written, some of which may be difficult for foreigners to understand. The use of such divisions as "市（city）," "区（ward）," and "町（town）" varies from region to region. Here,

This section details how to write each address in three categories: Tokyo's 23 wards, large cities, and small towns and rural areas.

Tokyo 23 Wards Address

In the 23 wards of Tokyo, "Tokyo" is written first, followed by the "ward," as in "Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The notation "city" is not used in this area. In fact, the 23 wards play the role of a "city," so the notation "city" is unnecessary in this area.

Addresses of large cities

In large cities such as ordinance-designated cities, addresses are in the format "XXX県YYY市ZZZ区," with the "prefecture" followed by the "city" and then the "ward" in that order. This is the main difference from the address of Tokyo's 23 wards.

Addresses in local cities, towns, and rural areas

Address notation in rural and regional areas varies from region to region. In rural areas, "city" is used, which is generally found in more populated areas. In smaller but more urban areas, "town" is used. In these two categories, "ward" are not often used. For example, "XXX県YYY市ZZZ町" is commonly used.

In rural areas, because the population is small and the area is extensive, the division into "county" and "village" is used and written as "XXX県YYY郡ZZZ村".

Japanese addresses can be written both horizontally and vertically.

Japanese can be written both vertically and horizontally, and addresses can be written vertically as well. Vertical writing is especially convenient when writing addresses on vertical envelopes, as it is easier to read.

When writing an address vertically, the street address is also represented vertically. For example, "1-2-3" is written with a hyphen represented by a vertical bar. Since hyphens are sometimes confused with the number "1," to make it more visually clear, you can also write "一丁目二番地三号" or use Chinese numerals.

For numbers	For Chinese numerals	For complete form	For partial street address notation
1 \| 2 \| 3	一 \| 二 \| 三	一丁目二番地三号	一丁目二 \| 三

Vertical addressing is a custom unique to Japan and is useful knowledge when sending mail.

How to write your Japanese address in English

When writing a Japanese address overseas, the address should be written in the order of street number, town, city or ward, and prefecture, according to the local format. This is the opposite of how it is written in Japanese, so care must be taken. For example, the address "神奈川県横浜市XXX区YYY1-2-3" would be "1-2-3, YYY, XXX, Yokohama, Kanagawa" in English.

How do you say prefecture in English?

Prefectures in Japan are expressed as "prefecture" in English. Neither "State" nor "Province" is used. However, in actual addresses, they are often simply written as "Tokyo" or "Osaka.

How do you say city, ward, town, and village in English?

"市" is "City" in English, "区" is "Ward," "町" is "Town," and "村" is "Village". However, it is also common to use the romanized forms "XXX-ku" and "YYY-cho" for wards and towns.

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summary

In this article, we have detailed how to write a basic Japanese address.

Addresses in Japan are written in order from the largest area to the smallest. For non-Japanese, the use of cities and wards may seem somewhat complicated, but if you understand the contents of this article, you should be able to master how to write your address in living in Japan and preparing documents.