Japanese Address Formatter
Format, convert, and validate Japanese addresses. Enter an address using postal code lookup, structured fields, or paste Japanese text to get properly formatted output in Japanese and English formats.
Enter Address
Enter 7 digits (e.g., 150-0001 or 1500001)
Accepts formats: 1-2-3, 1丁目2番3号, 1丁目2番地3
* Required fields must be filled to format the address
Formatted Output
Enter an address to see formatted output
Understanding Japanese Address Structure
Japanese addresses follow a hierarchical structure from largest to smallest geographic unit, which is the opposite of Western address formats. Understanding this structure is essential for correctly writing and reading Japanese addresses.
Address Components (from largest to smallest)
| Component | Japanese | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postal Code | 郵便番号 | 7-digit code with 〒 symbol | 〒150-0001 |
| Prefecture | 都道府県 | One of 47 administrative regions | 東京都 |
| City/Ward | 市区町村 | City, ward, town, or village | 渋谷区 |
| District | 町域 | Neighborhood or district name | 神宮前 |
| Block Number | 番地 | Chome-ban-go or X-Y-Z format | 1丁目2番3号 |
| Building Name | 建物名 | Apartment or building name | サンシャインマンション |
| Room Number | 部屋番号 | Unit or room number | 101号室 |
Prefecture Types
- 都 (to) - Metropolitan (Tokyo only)
- 道 (do) - Circuit/Territory (Hokkaido only)
- 府 (fu) - Urban prefecture (Osaka and Kyoto)
- 県 (ken) - Prefecture (43 remaining prefectures)
Block Number Formats
Block numbers can be written in several equivalent formats:
- 1-2-3 - Simplified numeric format
- 1丁目2番3号 - Full formal format
- 1丁目2番地3 - Alternative formal format
Address Format Examples
Here are examples of correctly formatted Japanese addresses in different formats:
Example 1: Tokyo Residential Address
Japanese (Horizontal):
〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前1-2-3 サンシャインマンション101号室
English (International):
Room 101, Sunshine Mansion
1-2-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Example 2: Osaka Business Address
Japanese (Horizontal):
〒530-0001 大阪府大阪市北区梅田3-1-1 大阪駅前ビル5F
English (International):
5F Osaka Ekimae Building
3-1-1 Umeda, Kita-ku
Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0001, Japan
Example 3: Kyoto Address
Japanese (Horizontal):
〒604-8001 京都府京都市中京区河原町通三条上ル
English (International):
Kawaramachi-dori Sanjo-agaru
Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
Kyoto 604-8001, Japan
💡 Pro Tips
- • Always include the postal code - it helps ensure accurate delivery
- • For international shipping, write "Japan" clearly at the end
- • Building names are important in Japan - don't skip them
- • When in doubt, use the romanized format for international mail
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I write a Japanese address correctly?
Japanese addresses are written from largest to smallest unit: postal code, prefecture, city/ward, district, block number, building name, and room number. For example: 〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前1-2-3 サンシャインマンション101号室. In English format, the order is reversed (smallest to largest) with Japan at the end.
What is the format of a Japanese postal code?
Japanese postal codes consist of 7 digits in the format XXX-XXXX, preceded by the 〒 symbol. The first three digits indicate the region, and the last four digits specify the local area. For example, 150-0001 is in Shibuya, Tokyo.
How do I convert a Japanese address to English?
To convert a Japanese address to English: 1) Reverse the order (start with room/building, end with prefecture), 2) Romanize Japanese characters to Latin alphabet, 3) Add 'Japan' at the end, 4) Include the postal code. Our tool does this automatically.
What are the 47 prefectures of Japan?
Japan has 47 prefectures: 1 'to' (Tokyo-to), 1 'do' (Hokkaido), 2 'fu' (Osaka-fu, Kyoto-fu), and 43 'ken'. Major prefectures include Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kanagawa, Aichi, Fukuoka, and Hokkaido.
What does 丁目, 番, and 号 mean in Japanese addresses?
These are block number components: 丁目 (chome) is the district subdivision, 番 (ban) or 番地 (banchi) is the block number, and 号 (go) is the building number. For example, 1丁目2番3号 means district 1, block 2, building 3, often written as 1-2-3.
How do I find a Japanese address from a postal code?
Enter the 7-digit postal code (with or without hyphen) in our tool, and it will automatically look up and fill in the prefecture, city, and district. You only need to add the block number and any building details.
What is vertical writing (縦書き) for Japanese addresses?
Vertical writing (縦書き/tategaki) is the traditional Japanese writing style where text flows from top to bottom, right to left. It's commonly used on envelopes and postcards for formal correspondence. Our tool provides both horizontal and vertical formats.
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