Japanese Address and Placename Support Added to the Geocoding API

The Geocoding API now supports Japanese addresses and placenames. You can implement a map that pans quickly according to the Japanese address entered by the user. Here is an implementation example.

If you expect users to enter Japanese addresses, please set the JavaScript host name to maps.google.co.jp. In this way, maps/satellite/hybrid mode buttons will show up in Japanese.

Here's a Tanka poem that aptly describes the joy of using Maps API with the geocoding feature.

Kamikouchi
That's all you need to enter
Maps will take you there
Your site shows the historic
Kappabashi Bridge nearby