Re:Japanese addresses: No street names. Block numbers
by 1n3nt0r on Monday June 17, 2024 @01:35PM
(#40708483)
It should be noted that in spite of the devastation of Tokyo in WW2, many parts of Tokyo retained the pre-war system of neighborhoods and streets, where streets might often not be straight, or start and terminate abruptly within the boundaries of a neighborhood.
Like some other responders, I also lived in Tokyo pre-google maps (in the 90s). The system of location one would use in central Tokyo was:
(city 市 or 都 = such as central Tokyo)->
ward (ku 区 = such as Shibuya-ku, if in a city) ->
area within ward (such as Aoyama) ->
the block / area (chome 丁目 = such as 7 chome, or 7th area)
the house number
For those unfamiliar with an area would first observe the map at the nearest train station to locate the area / chome. As one was walking and potentially got lost, could check street posts for the current chome and an occasional neighborhood map / sign to locate more precisely.
Personally I found navigating this way a lot of fun and an alternative hierarchical way of thinking about location.
Like some other responders, I also lived in Tokyo pre-google maps (in the 90s). The system of location one would use in central Tokyo was:
(city 市 or 都 = such as central Tokyo)-> ward (ku 区 = such as Shibuya-ku, if in a city) -> area within ward (such as Aoyama) -> the block / area (chome 丁目 = such as 7 chome, or 7th area) the house number
For those unfamiliar with an area would first observe the map at the nearest train station to locate the area / chome. As one was walking and potentially got lost, could check street posts for the current chome and an occasional neighborhood map / sign to locate more precisely.
Personally I found navigating this way a lot of fun and an alternative hierarchical way of thinking about location.