I have always had things shipped to me from Japan, but just recently I had to Ship something to Japan. for those of us here in the states the format for this looks rather odd and strange.
Here is the breakdown
Western Format which is good to use every where and in Japan cause it is standard format
(both are okay)
Surname, Name / Name Surname Mr. Ryu Yoshida
Street address, Town 1-11-22, Minami-gyotoku
City, Prefecture, Postal Code Ichikawa-shi, Chiba 123-0123
Country Japan
1-11-22 is a street map breakdown cause in Asia its not always easy to navigate cause its not a grid system like in the west or most modern places.
the first number is the chome 「丁目」or block the second numbers is the banchi 「番地」 or city lot the third numbers are the go 「号」 or the house or building number.
Japanese format to be used in Japan and Asia only cause well no one at your local post can read it now can they.
Postal symbol and postal code 〒123-0123
Prefecture city and town 千葉県市川市南行徳1-11-22
surname name honorifics 流吉田様
as you can see format totally changed, and sama is used and not san (sama is polite).
1. Prefecture (県)
There are exceptions to this, though. 都 (to) for Tokyo, 道 (dō) for Hokkaidō and 府 (fu) for the two urban prefectures of Osaka and Kyoto.
2. Municipality.
Large cities use 市 (shi)
Special wards can use 区 (ku)
Smaller municipalities include the district 郡 (gun) followed by the town 町 (chō / machi) or village 村 (mura / son).
3. Location within the municipality
Many cities have wards 区 (ku)
Wards can be divided up into 町 (chō / machi) or village 村 (mura / son)
Towns may be subdivided into even smaller parts too.
4. City District: 丁目 (chōme)
Usually assigned based on the order or proximity to the center of the municipality.
5. City block: 番地 (banchi)
Also assigned based on the order or proximity to the center of the municipality.
6. House Number: 号 (gō)
Based on when the house / building was built or assigned in clockwise order around the city block.
7. Apartment number may be added if the house number refers to an apartment building.
The postal code, which is indicated by a 〒 symbol, goes on top of the address. If you see this symbol on a metal box, it’s a good bet you can put your mail in there.