Japanese Lot Numbers and Residential Addresses—An Easy Guide

Japan uses two separate address systems: the lot number and the residential address. A lot number, or 地番 (chiban), identifies a plot of land for legal and tax records.

A residential address, or 住居表示 (jūkyo hyōji), identifies a building for mail and daily life. The 1962 Act on Indication of Residential Address (住居表示に関する法律) created this second system.

Most Japanese cities use jūkyo hyōji today. Kyoto is a major exception and still uses chiban as its official format.

This guide explains what each system does. It also covers which number you need for property purchases, registration, and everyday mail.

Why does Japan have two location identifications?

Japan's two location identifiers are:

• 地番 (chiban): land plot numbers, used for legal records

• 住居表示 (jūkyo hyōji): residential addresses, used for mail and navigation

Japan built its land registry system first. Chiban numbers tracked land ownership long before modern city planning existed.

As cities grew, lot numbers stopped working well for finding buildings. Multiple structures often shared one lot number, which confused mail carriers and visitors.

The government passed the Act on Indication of Residential Address in 1962. This law created jūkyo hyōji to solve that problem.

Both systems still exist today. Each one serves a different, specific purpose.

What is a Japanese lot number?

A lot number identifies a piece of land in Japan. Japan assigns one to every registered parcel for legal and tax purposes.

Lot number example | Translated from Home4U

The national land registry uses lot numbers to track ownership. You need this number for legal documents, tax records, and property transactions.

Lot numbers follow this format: [番地] (banchi). A typical example is 3番地5, meaning lot 3, sub-lot 5.

👉 Buying an akiya or other property? Your judicial scrivener will use the lot number to complete your property registration. 

Land plot explained | City Nagoya

One lot number can cover multiple buildings. This happens when a single plot holds several structures.

👉 Need to find a lot number for a specific address? Use our free 地番 (Chiban) Lookup tool to search by address, city, or postal code.

What is a Japanese residential address?

A residential address identifies a specific building in Japan. Post services use this system, and it appears on your zairyu card.

Residence address example | Translated from Home4U

The address format includes:

• Town name

• Chōme (district number)

• Block number (ban)

• Building number (gō), also called the residence number

A typical residential address looks like 3-12-5, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku. Read this as chōme 3, block 12, building 5.

Residence explained | City Nagoya

This format makes buildings easy to find. It speeds up mail delivery, emergency response, and everyday navigation.

Residential addresses identify buildings, not land. Lot numbers identify land, not buildings. That is the core difference between the two systems.

👉 Just moved? You must register your new residential address at your ward office within 14 days.

Land lot number vs residential address

The main difference between lot numbers and residential addresses is their purpose: 

Regional exceptions: Kyoto and Sapporo

Not every city uses standard jūkyo hyōji. Kyoto and Sapporo both follow different rules.

Kyoto officially uses chiban, not jūkyo hyōji, as its address system. Most residents also use an informal street-name system alongside it, such as "east of Karasuma Street." Both the post office and government recognize this street-based format.

Sapporo uses a grid system built around two central roads. Jō marks north-south distance and chōme marks east-west distance, combined with a direction like kita (north) or nishi (west). A typical Sapporo address looks like Kita 5-jō Nishi 2-chōme.

If your property sits in either city, confirm which format applies. Use our 地番 (Chiban) Lookup tool to check your lot number directly.

👉 Renting instead of buying? The same residential address rules apply. See our guide to renting an apartment in Tokyo for the full registration timeline.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a lot number and a residential address in Japan? 

A lot number (地番, chiban) identifies a piece of land for legal and tax records. A residential address (住居表示, jūkyo hyōji) identifies a building for mail and daily life. Most cities use jūkyo hyōji today, but both systems still exist side by side.

Which number do I need to buy property in Japan? 

Use the lot number (chiban) for property registration, sale contracts, and title records. Real estate documents reference land by its chiban, not its residential address. After registration, see our guide to real estate acquisition tax for what to expect next. 

Can multiple buildings share the same lot number? 

Yes. A lot number identifies a parcel of land, not a building. If several structures sit on one plot, or the plot was never formally subdivided, they can share a single chiban.

Does every city in Japan use jūkyo hyōji? 

No. Kyoto still uses chiban as its official address format. Sapporo uses a separate grid system based on jō and chōme with cardinal directions.

How do I find the lot number for a specific address? 

Search the address on MailMate's free 地番 (Chiban) Lookup tool. The tool covers over 5.3 million registered parcels across Japan. 

Is the residential address on my zairyu card the same as my lot number? 

No. Your zairyu card shows your residential address (jūkyo hyōji), not your lot number. You need a separate lookup to find the corresponding chiban. Your juminhyo (resident record) also uses this same residential address. 

In closing

Understanding lot numbers and residential addresses helps you navigate Japanese property ownership. It also helps you read legal documents correctly.

Japan Post and local authorities know how to handle both systems. Your mail and government notices will reach you either way.

Still need to find a specific lot number? Our 地番 (Chiban) Lookup tool covers over 5.3 million registered parcels across Japan.