When you arrive in a foreign country after a long flight, one of your first concerns is how to find your hotel. In most places, addresses follow a logical pattern, such as “59 Something Street.” However, in Japan, most streets are unnamed, and the numbering system does not follow the usual conventions.
Japan’s address system is based on a centuries-old method in which each district (chome) is divided into numbered blocks, and buildings within those blocks are also numbered—but not sequentially. Instead of following a street-based system, buildings are typically numbered in the order they were constructed. As a result, it’s common for block number one to be at one end of a street while block numbers two and three are located further away, sometimes even around a corner.
To illustrate this system, let’s look at the well-known district of Ginza. The Apple Store, for example, has the address 3-5-12 Ginza. This means it is located in Ginza 3-Chome, within block number 5, and at building number 12. However, the building next door may not necessarily be numbered 13 or 14, as one might expect.
Many people refer to the Apple Store as being on Chuo Dori, but this is actually a post-war street name introduced to make navigation more Western-friendly. In reality, street names in Japan are not commonly used for navigation. Some streets even have multiple names, and businesses may list them more for prestige than practicality. If you ask a taxi driver or a local for directions using a street name, they may not find it helpful.
In the case of Ginza 3-Chome, this designation refers to a large area covering multiple blocks. It is often shortened to just Ginza 3, making it essential to also have the block and building numbers for precise navigation.
Despite this seemingly complex system, getting around is easier than it appears. Japan provides plenty of maps and signage, especially in subway stations and major shopping areas. Most city blocks are compact, so searching for a specific building usually doesn’t take too long.
A helpful tip is to ask your hotel reception for a local map before heading out. Many hotels provide detailed maps with major landmarks, which can make navigation much easier. Also, keep in mind that distances on some maps—especially hand-drawn or artistic ones—may not be to scale, so use them as a rough guide rather than an exact measurement.
