Countries
Japan Postal Codes and Addressing Guide
How Japan's seven-digit postal code and block-based address system work, and how a UPCS code can add an exact location to a Japanese address.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 3 min read
Japan uses a seven-digit postal code, written in the form NNN-NNNN, run by the national postal operator Japan Post. Japanese addresses also work differently from many Western systems: instead of naming streets, they identify areas and numbered blocks. Understanding both is essential for accurate delivery.
How postal codes work
The code is written with a hyphen after the first three digits. The leading digits identify a broad area and the final four narrow it to a town or part of a town. The symbol 〒 often appears before the code on envelopes and forms. In many cases, a single code covers a town or block of a district, and large buildings or companies can have their own code.
How addresses are written
In Japanese order the address runs from the largest to the smallest: postal code, prefecture, city or ward, town or district, then the block numbers (chome, banchi, go), and finally the building name and room number. Because these numbers refer to blocks and plots and not to streets, they are not always assigned in a strictly sequential walking order, so locating a number on the ground can take some care. Outside Japan, addresses are typically written in reverse order and in Latin letters.
How UPCS codes work in Japan
UPCS codes for Japan use the prefix JP, forming JP-XXXX-XXXX. Each code stands for a 3 m x 3 m cell and the same coordinates always give the same code. You pick the spot on the map at upcs.io and the code is created.
A UPCS code is not a postal code and is not issued by Japan Post or any government agency. It is an optional addition to the usual address, for example to mark the correct entrance of a building.
Why an exact point can still help
Japanese addresses are precise about the lot, but a lot may be large, may have several entrances, or may hold a building with many tenants. Drivers who do not know a district rely on map applications, and a code that opens a specific point can save a wrong turn, especially for a rear entrance, a loading bay or a rural property.
In this guide
- Japan postal code format explains the seven-digit code and its hyphen.
- How to write a Japan address covers the block system with a formatted example.
- Finding a Japan postal code describes lookup and verification.
- Japan delivery and addressing challenges looks at block numbering, buildings and exact-location codes.
For other countries, see the countries hub.
In this guide
Frequently asked questions
Is a UPCS code the same as a Japanese postal code?
No. Japan's postal code has seven digits and is used by Japan Post. A UPCS code such as JP-XXXX-XXXX is an unofficial code for one exact 3 m x 3 m spot on the map.
Why are Japanese addresses hard to find with street names?
Most Japanese addresses identify a numbered block within a district, not a named street, so the number system matters more than the road name.