Japan, an island nation in East Asia, is renowned for its rich culture, advanced technology, and picturesque landscapes. From the bustling streets of Tokyo, the capital city, to the serene temples of Kyoto and the snow-covered slopes of Hokkaido, Japan is a blend of tradition and modernity. Its postal system, managed by Japan Post, ensures efficient delivery across dense urban areas and remote rural villages, making understanding the proper address format essential for successful mail delivery. Let us guide you on how to structure an address when sending mail to Japan.

Recipient Name

Write the recipient’s full name on the first line. For businesses, include the company name first, followed by the recipient’s name and, if applicable, the department. Clear and accurate information is vital for efficient mail delivery.

Building and Street Address

Japan uses a unique addressing system where the address starts from the largest administrative unit to the smallest. Include the building name, street number, and district. In cities, addresses may include a chōme (neighborhood), block number, and building number.

City/Prefecture and Postal Code

Each Japanese address includes the city, prefecture, and postal code. Postal codes are seven digits and are written as XXX-XXXX. Prefectures are vital for routing mail to the correct region.

Country Name

For international mail, always write the country name in capital letters on the last line.

Residential Address Format

Include the recipient’s name, building or apartment name and number, district, city, prefecture, postal code, and country.

Rural Address Format

For rural addresses, the area name or landmarks may substitute formal street names. Include village or district names, town, prefecture, postal code, and country.

Business Address Format

Include the company name, recipient’s name or department, full address, and postal code. Use “ATTN” for specific individuals or departments.

PO Box Address Format

Replace the street address with the PO Box number, followed by city, prefecture, postal code, and country.

Military Address Format

Japan uses the U.S. Armed Forces postal system for military addresses. Ensure the recipient’s name, rank, unit, and APO/FPO address is included.

Government Office Address Format

When addressing government offices, include the department or office name first, followed by the detailed address.

Address Format for Courier Services

Courier services like FedEx or DHL often require contact numbers. Include the recipient’s phone number alongside the full address.

The Japanese postal system, operated by Japan Post, is renowned for its efficiency, reliability, and comprehensive service offerings. Established in 1871, Japan Post has grown into one of the most sophisticated postal systems globally, blending traditional mail delivery with advanced logistical and financial services.

Today, Japan Post operates an extensive network of 24,000+ post offices across the country, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of letters and parcels to both densely populated urban areas and remote rural regions. This expansive coverage makes Japan Post a critical infrastructure in a country known for its mountainous terrain and islands.

So you have learned how to structure the address format to a recipient in Japan. But to ensure your address is reaching the intended recipient, you need a verified address. PostGrid address verification solution verifies, standardizes, and offers address autocomplete suggestions in real-time. Whether you want to verify a single address or bulk address, we provide correct, complete, and up-to-date addresses in sync with the official postal service provider for over 245 countries and territories. 

If you are curious about the format of any other country, visit our international address format page and learn the address format followed in countries around the world.