1chome

1chome is a term commonly used in Japan to denote the first block or section of a street within a given neighborhood or district. Japanese addresses are structured in a hierarchical manner, often starting with the prefecture, then the city or ward, followed by the district name, the chome number, and finally the banchi (lot number) and building name or apartment number. The chome system helps to subdivide larger areas into more manageable sections, making navigation and precise location identification easier.

The numbering of chome typically starts with 1chome and progresses sequentially through the area. For instance, if a district has five chome, they would be numbered 1chome, 2chome, 3chome, 4chome, and 5chome. Within each chome, individual lots are then assigned banchi numbers. This system is a fundamental aspect of Japanese urban planning and postal services, ensuring that mail can be delivered accurately and that people can find specific locations. While the exact layout and numbering convention can vary slightly between different cities and regions in Japan, the concept of chome as a primary subdivision remains consistent.