The Japanese postal system uses methods different from those used in the West. For example, when you write the address in Japanese, you do it in reverse order, starting with the postal code. However, the postal system uses different formats for national and international letters, in order to also take into account all those letters written in Latin languages. To correctly write the address of a letter for Japan, you must follow their convention and include honorary titles, both for private and business letters. This article will teach you how to address letters in Japan.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Method 1: Addressing Personal Letters
Step 1. Start on the front of the envelope, writing to the right of the middle
Use blue or black ink. To write a letter in a Western language you must use the authorized "Western format".
Step 2. Write the person's first and last name in the first line
It is important to add an honorific in Japanese or English before or after the person's name. The protocol for writing letters is very formal and important for the Japanese.
- You can use a Western honorific, preferably in English, before the person's name, such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr. or Prof. or Sir. For example, you can write "Mrs. Mei Tanaka."
- You can also use the Japanese honorific after the person's name. For sir or madam you can write "-sama" after the name. This honorary title is usually used between people at the same level. For sir and madam you can write "-dono." For Lord, Lady or Dame, you can write "-kyou." For people with knowledge above you, such as doctors, teachers, politicians or professors you can write "-sensei."
Step 3. Write the numbers of the sub-area, block and building separated by dashes on the second line
Write the district after the numbers. For example, the second line of the address might be "1-4-6 Kamiosaki." This line can also identify the sub-area after the district, as "4-6 Kamiosaki 1-choume."
- If you need to find an address on a map, the sub-area is called "choume," a square is called a "ban" and a building is called "go." "Choume" is sometimes spelled "chome."
- Japanese addresses are not written following a rectangular grid, as in many Western countries. Their address system takes into account only the main streets that have names and the buildings are numbered according to the order in which they were built.
Step 4. Write the city and prefecture on the third line
Put a comma between the two. For example, "Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo."
Step 5. Write the postcode to the right of the prefecture
Although the postcode in the past only had 3 numbers, today it has 7 with a dash after 3 numbers. For example, the complete third line should be "Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021."
Step 6. Add the word “Japan” in the fourth line
For national letters it can sometimes be written in the third line, but for international letters it is easier to put it in the fourth: this way it will be one word in a line and it will be easier for your country to recognize the country.
Here is the full address, with commas and line breaks: "Mrs. Mei Tanaka, 1-4-6 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021, Japan." The comma between "Shinagawa-ku" and "Tokyo" is not a line break
Step 7. Write your (sender) address on the back of the envelope, top right
Write it as it is written in your country so that it can easily come back. Be sure to include your country at the end of your address.
The honorary title is not used for the sender. This is to keep the letter formal: this way the receiver is honored by the sender
Method 2 of 2: Method 2: Addressing Business Letters
Step 1. Start writing the address on the front of the envelope, to the right of the central area
Use a computer to write the address, if possible. If you can't, use blue or black ink.
Step 2. Write the person's full name in the first line
It is important to include the honorary title in Western or Japanese, before or after the person's name.
You can use the same formal titles used for a personal letter. However, write “-sempai” if the letter is addressed to a person of higher hierarchy
Step 3. Write the company name in the second line of the address
If the letter is addressed to the company and not to a person, write the word "-onchu" after the company name
Step 4. Write the numbers of the sub-area, block and building with dashes in the third line
Write the district after the numbers.
Step 5. Write the city, prefecture and postal code on the fourth line
Put a comma between city and prefecture.
Step 6. Write “Japan” on the fifth line
Step 7. The address for business letters should look like this, with commas and line breaks:
"Mei Tanaka-sempai, Sony Entertainment, 1-4-6 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021, Japan." The comma between "Shinagawa-ku" and "Tokyo" is not a line break.
Step 8. Write your address on the back of the envelope, top right or center
Write it according to the conventions of your country so that the letter can easily come back to you. Be sure to include your country at the end of your address.
If your company already has letters with the printed address, it shouldn't be a problem if the letter comes back. Make sure your country name is always there
Advice
- For letters with addresses written in Japanese, follow this order: postal symbol and postal code on the first line, the prefecture, city, district, sub-area, block and building on the second line, last name, first name and title on the third and last line.
- If you have received an address written in Japanese it is recommended that you copy it on the envelope or print it and stick it on the envelope. Since the Japanese and Western styles are very different, if you try to translate it you may be making mistakes.
