On this page we would like to explain to you how Japanese addresses work. Often people ask why Japanese addresses contain so many numbers. They want to know why the Japanese explanation is not-so-straight-forward and other things. Here we try to explain why matters are different from the European, American system. We have chosen an imaginary town called ひろやま Hiroyama. You also have to keep in mind that the Japanese population is about 125 million, so there are more roads and streets and blocks and names etc. to organise.
See that the same sounding numbers are not side by side and that the house on the other side of the road would have a completely different sounding address? Across the road could be in a different block.
Of course, not only the police staff, but shopkeepers, local maps, postings, posts on power poles all help you locate yourself. It would help if you spoke Japanese, but there is a lot of English help available in the big cities too. Now of course the new GPS system is very useful. Nevertheless, should you get lost, the Japanese as a group, a culture and a nation are exemplary at being helpful! There is no country on earth were it is better for you to get lost! (Joke) Don’t tempt fate and do come prepared with a business card, or a written address. It all helps.
More information:
Lami Japan 