Can't find the address while traveling in Japan? Here's how to figure out the way.

When driving in Japan, the most convenient way to navigate is by using phone numbers. (Photo provided by Jiuxiong’s Crazy Japan)

We know that when driving in Japan, the most convenient way to navigate is by using phone numbers — just enter the number and you’ll find your destination. The first time I learned about this, I was truly amazed at what human technology can achieve. But of course, things don’t always go smoothly on the road. What I mean is, sometimes the phone number navigation might not lead you to the right place. This could be because the car’s navigation system is too old and the map data hasn’t been updated. Or it could be that the place you’re going to is so hidden that the owner hasn’t registered it as a business, meaning when you try to navigate via phone number, it asks you to input the owner’s last name (a privacy protection feature).

In such cases, if you’ve already looked up the MAPCODE beforehand, you can head to your destination with peace of mind, because a MAPCODE is a type of coordinate that can guide you even without updated map data. (Though I once ended up driving on what seemed like the ocean because there was no such road or area on the map data.)

Of course, if you suddenly decide to add a new place to visit and don’t have time to look up a MAPCODE, or if the phone number search doesn’t work, then understanding Japanese addresses becomes very important. Let’s start by talking about the unique aspects of Japanese addresses.

%How is Japan's address system different?/p>

Unlike 90% of countries around the world, Japan does not use street names and numbers for addresses but instead relies on a block-based concept. As a result, most roads in Japan don’t have names, and even if they do, those names usually don’t appear in the address (Kyoto is the only exception in all of Japan). Moreover, the numbering at the end of the address is based on the order in which buildings or blocks were divided, so often the plot next to 3 isn’t 4, and the building next to No. 15 isn’t No. 16. For foreigners, Japanese addresses can feel like a towering wall — even those who speak Japanese well may struggle to locate a place just by looking at the address.

But there are ways to make sense of it. Below, I’ll share how to recognize common types of addresses and how to input them for navigation.

Not to mention those who don’t understand Japanese — even if you’re fluent, you might still not find the place you’re looking for just by looking at the address. (Photo provided by Jiuxiong’s Crazy Japan)

%What are some common types of addresses?/p>

Take “n谷东急REI Hotel” as an example. The address found online is “Tokyo-to, n谷区, n谷 1-24-10”, which can also be written as “Tokyo-to, n谷区, n谷, 1-chome, 24-ban, 10-go”.

I’ve used colors to match the same content:

“Tokyo-to, n谷区, n谷 1-24-10”

“Tokyo-to, n谷区, n谷, 1-chome, 24-ban, 10-go”

That means “n谷1” is “n谷 1-chome”, which is the block unit defined by the administrative division; the middle “24” is “24-ban”, indicating the 24th plot in that block; and the final “10-go” is the 10th building within that plot.

The way to input it into navigation is: “Tokyo-to” → “n谷区” → “n谷” → “1-chome” → “24” → “10”

%What are some other common types of addresses?/p>

Take “Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tazawa, Tsugaike Hotel” as an example. The address is “Aomori, Towada-shi, Oku-cho, Kubo 231”, but why is the middle part so long? What is an “Oaza” (大字)?

The Oaza refers to old village names that remained after municipal mergers. Locals wanted to preserve the historical names, so they prefixed them with “Oaza” (大字) or “Aza” (字), which are somewhat similar to “Machi” (町) and are also a form of administrative division. However, you can simply ignore these when using navigation — pretend you never saw them.

The way to input it into navigation is: “Aomori” → “Towada-shi” → “Oku-cho” → “Kubo” → “231”

Take “Yamanoyu”, a hot spring inn in Kumamoto’s Kurokawa Onsen, as an example. The address is “Kumamoto, Aso-gun, Minamikokubu-cho, Oaza Noguchi 601-4”. The term “gun” (郡) currently falls under the jurisdiction of the town. Depending on your navigation device, it may be ignored entirely, showing just “Minamikokubu-cho”, or included as “Aso-gun, Minamikokubu-cho”. Check which format your device uses when inputting.

The way to input it into navigation is: “Kumamoto” → “Aso-gun, Minamikokubu-cho or Minamikokubu-cho” → “Noguchi” → “601-4”

Take “Ryukyu Kanmi SANS SOUCI” in Okinawa as an example. The address is “Okinawa, Nakagami-gun, Kitanakagusuku-son, Odori 150-3, Bldg. 1822”.

The way to input it into navigation is: “Okinawa” → “Nakagami-gun, Kitanakagusuku-son or Kitanakagusuku-son” → “Odori” → “150” → “3”. Ignore everything after the # symbol, and you’ll find it.

Japan and Taiwan are very different, and there’s a lot to learn about addresses here. (Photo provided by Jiuxiong’s Crazy Japan)

%What makes Kyoto’s address system special?/p>

Within Kyoto City, there’s a rare case where street names are used in addresses — but it’s different from the familiar “&巷&号” system we know in Taiwan. Kyoto first indicates north-south streets, then east-west streets, and uses terms like “上る” (go up), “下る” (go down), “东入る” (go east), and “西入る” (go west) to specify the block. These street names are for identification, but you can actually ignore them when setting up navigation.

Take “Kyoto Yaguraen Tempura, Yasaka Round Hall” as an example. The address is “Kyoto-fu, Kyoto-shi, Higashiyama-ku, Yasakadori Higashiōji Nishiiru Komatsu-cho 566”. Whenever there’s a “ku” (区), it’s usually best to go by that.

The way to input it into navigation is: “Kyoto-fu” → “Kyoto-shi, Higashiyama-ku” → “Komatsu-cho” → “566”

Taking “Honnoji Temple” as an example, its address is “522, Shimonanbōmae-chō, Shimo-Honnōji, Tominokōji-dōri, Naka-kyōku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu”

The navigation operation would be: “Kyōto-fu” → “Naka-kyōku, Kyōto-shi” → “Shimonanbōmae-chō” → “522”

%The location of the felt mouth is/p>

It’s widely rumored online that Japan’s longest address is “Akita, Kitaakita District, Kamioka Village, Ōaza Okutanmae, Chō Kobano Shitakawara 1,” which is a whopping 25 characters long！ Even if you might not be heading there, I’ve kindly included the navigation steps for you XDDD

The navigation operation would be: “Akita” → “Okutanmae” → “Kobano Shitakawara” → “1”

※This article is published with authorization from Sake Yuu’s Crazy Japan, and permission has been granted to compile the newsletter introduction and revise the title※