How to Write a Japanese Address 2026 — Complete Format Guide

Japanese address format — element by element

• Postal code (郵便番号 yūbin bangō): 7 digits, ###-####. Always preceded by 〒 symbol. E.g. 〒100-0014.
• Prefecture (都道府県 to-dō-fu-ken): 47 total. Tokyo (東京都 Tokyo-to), Osaka (大阪府 Osaka-fu), Kyoto (京都府 Kyoto-fu), Hokkaido (北海道 Hokkaido — no suffix), others 県 (-ken).
• City (市 shi): e.g. 横浜市 Yokohama-shi. Bigger cities have wards.
• Ward (区 ku): e.g. 千代田区 Chiyoda-ku. Tokyo has 23 special wards, Yokohama 18, Osaka 24.
• District/town (町 chō or 大字 ōaza): e.g. 永田町 Nagata-chō. Smaller subdivision within ward.
• Chome (丁目): numbered subdivision of district. E.g. 1丁目 = 1-chome.
• Block (番地 banchi): building lot number within chome.
• Building number (号 gō): specific building within block. Often combined: 1-7-1 = 1-chome, 7-banchi, 1-go.
• Building name (建物名 tatemono-mei): e.g. 國會議事堂 (Diet Building), タワー (Tower).
• Floor + room (階 + 号室): 5階503号室 = 5th floor, room 503.
• Recipient name (氏名 shimei): surname first, given name second. Foreign names romaji acceptable.
• Honorific suffix: 様 (-sama) standard formal. 殿 (-dono) very formal/legal. 御中 (-onchu) for company. 行 (-yuki) self-addressed.

Examples — domestic + international

• Domestic (kanji vertical): 〒100-0014 東京都千代田区永田町1丁目7番1号 國會議事堂 田中太郎 様
• Domestic (romaji horizontal): 1-7-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan. Mr. Taro Tanaka.
• International format (sender abroad): Mr. Taro Tanaka / The Diet Building / 1-7-1 Nagatacho / Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014 / JAPAN
• Tokyo apartment example: 〒150-0002 東京都渋谷区渋谷2-21-1 渋谷ヒカリエ23階 / Hikarie Bldg 23F, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002
• Osaka address: 〒530-0001 大阪府大阪市北区梅田1-1-3 大阪駅前第3ビル / Osaka-eki-mae Dai-3 Bldg, 1-1-3 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 530-0001
• Kyoto address: 〒604-8005 京都府京都市中京区河原町通三条上ル / 3-jō-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 604-8005
• Rural address: smaller addresses may omit chome — use only 大字 (ōaza, larger subdivision).
• Hokkaido: 〒060-0001 北海道札幌市中央区北一条西 / Kita-ichijo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0001 (no -ken or -to suffix).

Envelope layout — Japanese vs Western

• Vertical (traditional): read top → bottom, right → left. Address right side, recipient name center, stamp upper left.
• Horizontal (modern): read left → right, top → bottom. Address top right area, recipient bottom right.
• Sender address: small text upper left (vertical) or back of envelope.
• Postcards: vertical traditional preferred for formal; horizontal OK.
• New Year cards (年賀状 nengajō): vertical strongly preferred.
• Business mail: usually vertical envelope, recipient company name + 御中 (-onchu).
• Foreign mail to Japan: horizontal format with romaji OK. Postal worker translates if kanji-only address.
• Address position: leave 1cm margin at edges. Postal code box top right.

Honorifics + endings

• 様 (-sama): most common formal recipient suffix. Works for individuals + family.
• 殿 (-dono): very formal — used in legal documents, awards.
• 先生 (-sensei): for teachers, doctors, lawyers, masters.
• 御中 (-onchu): for companies/organizations (after company name + before “様”).
• 行 / 宛 (-yuki / -ate): pre-printed return-self addressed envelope. Cross out + replace with 様 when reusing.
• 君 (-kun): junior males or close friends. NOT for formal mail.
• ちゃん (-chan): cute/intimate. NOT for formal.
• くん (-kun) + ちゃん: in postal address — only family + close friends.
• Combined: “ABC株式会社 御中” (ABC Corporation Onchu) for company; “ABC株式会社 田中部長 様” for specific person + title.
• Title before suffix: 田中部長様 = Manager Tanaka-sama.

Mail tips — practical

• Postal codes lookup: post.japanpost.jp/zipcode/ — official Japan Post website.
• Google Maps: enter chome-banchi-go format, will pinpoint exact building.
• From abroad: international mail under 50g costs ¥120-200 to Japan; takes 5-10 business days.
• Stamps: domestic mail 84-94 yen; international varies. Buy at konbini (convenience stores) + post office.
• Yamato + Sagawa: courier services for packages.
• FedEx + DHL + UPS: international express.
• Tracking: most domestic post + courier services offer tracking via QR/barcode.
• Address for hotels: hotels give standard address card with kanji + romaji for taxis.
• Lost in Japan: show address card to police box (kōban); they’ll direct you precisely.
• Black diamond addresses: some old Tokyo districts numbered chaotically — even GPS sometimes confused.
• Saying address aloud: read in same order as written. “Tokyo-to Chiyoda-ku…”
• Confirming receipt: 着 (chaku) “arrived” stamped on registered mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to write a Japanese address?

Order is OPPOSITE of Western: postal code first, then prefecture (Tokyo-to), city/ward (Chiyoda-ku), district, chome-banchi-go (1-7-1), building, then recipient name + 様 (sama) suffix.

What is the format of a Japanese postal code?

7 digits in ###-#### format, preceded by 〒 symbol. E.g. 〒100-0014. First 3 digits identify region; last 4 narrow to street block.

How many prefectures does Japan have?

47 prefectures: Tokyo-to (1), Hokkaido (1), Osaka-fu + Kyoto-fu (2), plus 43 -ken prefectures. Use suffix 都/道/府/県 (to/dō/fu/ken).

Should I write Japanese address in kanji or romaji?

Domestic mail: kanji preferred. International (sending TO Japan from abroad): romaji acceptable + add JAPAN in capitals. Postal workers can decipher both.

What does 様 (sama) mean in addresses?

Formal honorific suffix for individuals — equivalent to Mr./Ms./Mx. Always use 様 in mail to people. Use 御中 (onchu) for companies.

Is Japanese address written top-to-bottom or left-to-right?

Traditional: vertical (top→bottom, right→left). Modern horizontal (left→right) also accepted. New Year cards strongly prefer vertical.

See also

• Sugoi meaning
• Capitals of Japan
• Kabukicho Tokyo