How to Address a Letter to Japan

Here are the steps required for addressing a letter to Japan.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• envelope or parcel
• proper postage

1. When addressing a letter within Japan, the address starts with the postal code and ends with the addressee, basically the opposite of the western format. But when addressing a letter to Japan you can use the western format of starting with the addressee's name and ending with the postal code and country:
   
   Name
   Street address, Town
   City, Prefecture, Postal Code
   JAPAN

2. Here's an example of an a Japanese address written in western format for mailing from outside of Japan (each step is separate line of the address):

3. Mr. Kazu Hayashi

4. 1-16-24, Minami-gyotoku,

5. Ichikawa-shi, Chiba 272-0138

6. JAPAN

7. Kazu is the first name and Hayashi is the last name. In Japan, the last name is always stated first, but the Japanese post office will also understand the use of the western format of placing the first name first, just make sure to use the western prefixes (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Dr). "1-16-24" is the chome (block), ban (lot) and go (building).

[veryirie]

on 11/13/2008 Wow, this is interesting! Don't the Japanese citizens read the magazines from back to front too? Seriously.

[GreenGardenChic]

on 11/12/2008 It won't let me rate, so I'll try later.

[GreenGardenChic]

on 11/12/2008 Good info to know. Thanks for the 'easy to understand' instructions.