Tips for not getting lost in Japan's Troublesome Address System

One of the first things you will notice when you come to Japan is that most streets have no names and building numbers have no order. It's not much of a problem if you are going to famous tourist attractions, but it's a big problem if you intend to drive here.

In most parts of the world, the street name + building number system, such as "〇〇 Street No. 〇〇," which is the Western style, is common. It is fair to say that Japan is now the only country in the world that doesn't use this Western style.

Foreign people might ask a passerby on a street in Japan, "What is the name of this street?" . The kind Japanese will reply, "This is No. 5 and over there is  No. 8." Foreign people will point to the street on the map and will ask again, "No, it's not that, I am asking you the name of this street."

In Japan, most streets don't have names. Streets are simply blank spaces between blocks.

With the Japanese residential code, it is easy to get to a general area, but you have to walk around it to find your destination.

There are various theories as to why Japan has adopted the current notation. Western cities were formed based on urban planning, but Japanese cities arose spontaneously.

The reason is that Japanese people built their houses on vacant lots, whereas Westerners built their houses along the roads.

As above, Japanese address is not in order, so it causes headaches now and then. When  we got to near the destination, we find it walking around relying on residential maps or address signs on electric poles or building walls.

 

Overall, I find that it's better to ask locals. Government employees or postmen. Make sure to research household and building name before visiting residents by Zenrin map like below in advance.

Should Japan still continue to preserve this "peculiar tradition"?

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