How to Use for Genealogy Research
Zenrin residential maps record addresses, resident names, and building names for locations across Japan. Viewing old editions of these maps for the area where an ancestor lived can provide resident information from the post-war period through the late Showa era.
Service Overview
Zenrin Co., Ltd. publishes street-level residential maps organized by municipality, showing resident and company names for individual buildings. Older editions that are no longer sold (due to privacy regulations) are held by many prefectural and municipal libraries and can be viewed in person.
Use Cases
- Locating an ancestor’s residence in the Showa or Heisei period
- Verifying buildings and residents at old addresses
- Confirming business operations (shops, factories) of ancestors
How to Access at Libraries
Old Zenrin maps are typically found in the local history sections of prefectural and large municipal libraries. Ask a librarian by specifying the era and region you need.
