Japanese address order versus English order
A domestic Japanese address begins with the prefecture and narrows toward the block, building, and room. An international mailing address commonly reverses those components so the most specific destination appears first.
What each address part means
110-0005東京都 / Tokyo台東区 / Taito-ku上野 / Ueno7-1-1How to romanize place and building names
Use established spellings for prefectures, cities, wards, stations, and buildings. Keep suffixes such as -ku when useful. If you cannot confirm a proper name, ask the recipient rather than guessing.
Common address mistakes
- Leaving out the room or apartment number
- Translating a building’s proper name
- Putting JAPAN somewhere other than the final line
- Assuming the postal code supplies the block and building
- Treating an automatic romanization as proof the address exists
Frequently asked questions
Do I reverse a Japanese address in English?
For international mail, write smaller address units first and larger units later, ending with the prefecture, postal code, and JAPAN.
Should I translate a building name?
Use the building’s official Roman spelling when available. Romanize a proper name rather than inventing an English translation.
Where does the apartment number go?
Put the room or apartment number with the building name near the beginning of the international address.