Organize address information from largest to smallest. An out-of-country letter might be addressed: JAPAN, Tochigi-ken, Utsunomiya-shi, Minemachi, 2-chome, 1. [3] X Research source The order of information is more important than its location on certain lines. Kanji (Japanese pictograms) can shorten some addresses to a single line, while others might take several. The postal codes used in Japanese addresses generally contain 7 digits (as in: 123 - 4567). Since few Japanese streets have names, a street name is rarely included.
Be sure to write “Japan” very prominently with the recipient’s address information. To make it especially hard to miss, write it in caps![4] X Research source If you’re concerned you might have made a mistake, you might be able to cut and paste the address written out in Japanese from an online map search.
When sending a letter to Japan from a foreign country, make sure you clearly write your home country in English. This will increase the chances of the letter being returned should it be undeliverable. The format of your return address does not have to follow the Japanese style of large-to-small if you live outside of Japan. [6] X Research source
You should only need postage from your home country to send an envelope to Japan, though this may differ from country to country. Ask at your local post office. [8] X Research source Postage is weight-rated inside Japan. Expect a two-sheet letter in a normal envelope to cost about 90 yen or 110 yen airmail. [9] X Research source
Because horizontal envelopes carry a Western association, they are generally written according to Western convention: left-to-right, top-to-bottom. If you’re mailing this letter from outside of Japan, make sure you clearly write “Japan” at the top of the address.
It’s a matter of preference, but some people write the address on the flapless side and the return address on the flap side, similar to how one would for a vertical envelope. [12] X Research source
City • shi • 市 County • gun • 郡 Master/madam • sama • 様 Neighborhood subarea • chōme • 丁目 Number (in a series) • ban • 番 Prefecture/state • ken • 県 Room • shitsu • 室 Town/neighborhood • machi/chō • 町 Wards (subdivisions for big cities) • ku • 区[14] X Research source
寒さひとしお 身にしみる 今日このごろ • samusa hitoshio minishimiru kyou konogoro • In this time of piercing cold… 春の 日うららかな 今日このごろ • haru no hi uraraka na kyou konogoro • In this time of beautiful spring days… 厳しい 残暑が 続いておりますが • kibishii zansho ga tsudzuite orimasu ga • The oppressive heat continues to linger…[15] X Research source
Avoid writing messages or names in red ink, as this can carry negative implications for many Japanese.
Take a Japanese language or culture class offered by a local Japanese cultural organization. Many cross cultural events are sponsored by the Japanese consulate.
