Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

Paradigm Shift in Japan: No Street Names

Peter Payne by Peter Payne
15 years ago
in Your Friend in Japan

One of the challenges of getting used to my new life in Japan was the total lack of street names, which made it difficult for me to learn my way around in my new city. Except for certain major thoroughfares like National Road 17, which will take you to Tokyo, roads here lack names of any kind and are referred to abstractly, e.g. “the road between the elementary school and the convenience store.” Adapting a French model, Japan breaks their land into prefectures (ken), cities (shi), and towns (machi or cho), with the towns divided into smaller blocks like 3-chome (third block), and so on. A Japanese address looks something like “Gunma-ken Isesaki-shi Sakura-cho 2-19-15” (in Japanese, 群馬県伊勢崎市桜町2−19−15), but if you ever try to visit a place based on this information you’ll be driving around in circles, as the only people who can make sense of a Japanese address are postal workers. Instead, to find a given location you nearly always need a map, which is why most every printed advertisement will have a map indicating how to get to shop. Car GPS systems are also a very nice thing to have when driving in Japan.

Most ads and websites will feature simple maps to help you get to a place.

Tags: JapanLife in Japan

More Posts Like This

Camera Angles In Anime
Your Friend in Japan

Yandere Meets Instant Noodles! Anime Marketing with Seiyuu Saori Hayami

by Peter Payne
8 months ago

Last week X lit up with the hashtag #早見沙織, or #HayamiSaori. Being a huge fan of anime voice actress Hayami...

How Do Japanese View U.s. Elections
Your Friend in Japan

Elections in Japan vs The US! How Does Japan View American Politics?

by Peter Payne
9 months ago

Have you been following the big election? Not the US election that happens tomorrow. I'm talking about the Japanese General...

What Products Should You Get On The J List Sale Page

Senpai, Want to Save Some Money? Browse the J-list Sale Page!

10 months ago
Say Goodbye To Summer With J List $20 Coupon

Goodbye, Anime Summer! Enjoy A New $20 Coupon!

11 months ago
Is A Nankai Megathrust Coming? Japan On Edge After Last Week's Earthquake

Is a Nankai Megathrust Coming? Japan on Edge after Last Week’s Earthquake

11 months ago
Why Do You Watch Anime Plot

Why Do You Watch Anime? Let’s Ask J-List Customers!

12 months ago
Next Post
TF3335 P46 W

The Anime Brain

Trending Today

The Top 11 Anime Sex Scenes Blog
Your Friend in Japan

Happy Sex Day! Let’s Rank the 11 Most Surprising Ecchi Scenes in Anime

1 month ago
Yandere Dark Elf Episode 1 Featured Image
Featured

Yandere Dark Elf, Episode 1 — Love Heavier than Chocolate Melons!

3 months ago
Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime Web Cover
News

Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime and Where to Watch Them

4 months ago
Haite Kudasai, Takamine San Episode 9 Featured Image
Featured

Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san, Episode 9 — Slippery When Wet!

2 weeks ago
Dengeki Moeoh August 2025 Cover
Anime Magazine

What’s Inside Dengeki Moeoh August 2025? Ecchi Illustrations, Posters, Art, and More!

7 days ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
Screenshot
News

They’re Back: Announcing the Return of J-List Tissues!

by Peter Payne
July 19, 2025

They’re Back: Announcing the Return of J-List Tissues!

Dandadan S2 Pulls No Punches (and the Fight Scenes Hit Hard, Too)

Cultural Exchange with a Game Center Girl — A Kawaii Romance

Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider and Fight Shocker

Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san, Episode 10 — Fall Brings Chill and Friction!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.