Japan
Japan Postal Code Format Explained
Japan's postal code has seven digits with a hyphen after the third. See how it is written, what the parts mean, valid examples and common errors.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 2 min read
A Japanese postal code consists of seven digits written as NNN-NNNN, with a hyphen between the third and fourth digits. It is administered by Japan Post and is used on letters, parcel labels, official forms and online checkouts. On paper, the postal mark 〒 often precedes it.
What the two parts mean
The code splits into two parts:
| Part | Role |
|---|---|
| First three digits | A broad area of delivery, grouping a region or part of a city |
| Last four digits | A narrower district, usually a town or a part of one, and in some cases a single large building or organisation |
The hierarchy means that codes of nearby places tend to start with the same digits. The exact assignment of the four-digit part comes from the postal operator's list and cannot be reliably guessed.
Valid format examples
These values only illustrate the form:
NNN-NNNN— three digits, hyphen, four digits: standard.NNNNNNN— seven digits without a hyphen: the same code, accepted by many systems.〒NNN-NNNN— with the postal mark: common in Japanese addresses.NNN-NNN— six digits: incomplete.NNNN-NNN— hyphen in the wrong place: invalid.
Common mistakes
- Wrong hyphen position. The hyphen always follows the third digit.
- Full-width digits. Japanese keyboards can produce wide characters that some systems reject. Use ordinary half-width digits in international forms.
- Mixing up with the prefecture or a phone number. Phone numbers use hyphens too, so check the field.
- Using the code for the next town. Neighbouring towns can have similar leading digits, so verify the last four.
- Confusing it with a UPCS code.
JP-XXXX-XXXXis a separate, unofficial exact-location code.
What the code does and does not do
The postal code identifies a delivery area, and in dense districts it is quite specific. It still does not tell a courier which doorway to use in a multi-entrance building. You can add a UPCS code created on the UPCS map alongside the postal code to mark the exact point, though it does not replace the official number.
Continue with how to write a Japan address or read the Japan overview.
Frequently asked questions
How is a Japanese postal code written?
It has seven digits, normally written as three digits, a hyphen and four digits, like NNN-NNNN. The 〒 mark may appear before it.
Can I write the code without the hyphen?
Many forms accept seven digits with no hyphen, and some require one or the other. Follow the field's example, since both mean the same code.