Japanese exonyms

Japanese exonyms are the names of places in the Japanese language that differ from the name given in the place's dominant language.

While Japanese names of places that are not derived from the Chinese language generally tend to represent the endonym or the English exonym as phonetically accurately as possible, the Japanese terms for some place names are obscured, either because the name was borrowed from another language or because of some other obscure etymology, such as referring to England (more specifically the United Kingdom) as イギリス (Igirisu), which is based on the Portuguese term for "English", Inglês. Exonyms for cities outside of the East Asian cultural sphere tend to be more phonetically accurate to their endonyms than the English exonyms if the endonym is not an English name.

The names for nations and cities that existed before major Japanese orthographic reforms in the Meiji era usually have ateji, or kanji characters used solely to represent pronunciation. However, the use of ateji today has become far less common, as katakana has largely taken over the role of phonetically representing words of non-Sino-Japanese origin. As significant differences exist between the pronunciations of the Chinese and Japanese languages, many of the ateji terms for the exonyms of foreign, non-Sinitic terms are unrecognizable in Chinese, and likewise, since some of the ateji terms derived from Chinese, the aforementioned terms do not match the Japanese on or kun readings for the pronunciation of the given kanji.

Australia

Australia Ōsutoraria, Gōshū (オーストラリア, 豪州)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Alice Springs	Arisusupuringusu (アリススプリングズ)	Alice Springs	English
Canberra	Kyanbera (キャンベラ)	Canberra	English
Coral Sea	Kōraru Shī, Sangokai (コーラル・シー, 珊瑚海 )	Coral Sea	English
Melbourne	Meruborun (メルボルン)	Melbourne	English
Perth	Pāsu (パース)	Perth	English
Sydney	Shidonī (シドニー)	Sydney	English
Tasmania	Tasumania (タスマニア)	Tasmania	English
Thursday Island	Sāzudē Airando, Mokuyoutou (サーズデー・アイランド, 木曜島)	Thursday Island	English	Translation from English
Uluru	Ururu (ウルル)	Uluru	Pitjantjatjara dialect

Austria

Austria, Ōsutoria (オーストリア /墺太利)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Vienna	Wīn (ウィーン)	Wien	German	based on German spelling

Belgium

Belgium Berugī (ベルギー / 白耳義)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Brussels	Buryusseru, Burasseru (ブリュッセル/ ブラッセル)	Brussel	Dutch
		Bruxelles	French

Brazil

Brazil Burajiru (ブラジル / 伯剌西爾)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Brasilia	Burajiria (ブラジリア)	Brasília	Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro	Riodejaneiro (リオデジャネイロ)	Rio de Janeiro	Portuguese
São Paulo	Sampauro (サンパウロ)	São Paulo	Portuguese

Cambodia

Cambodia Kambojia (カンボジア / 柬埔寨)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Phnom Penh	Punompen (プノンペン)	Phnompenh (ភ្នំពេញ)	Khmer
Siem Reap	Shiemuriappu (シェムリアップ)	Siemrab (សៀមរាប)	Khmer
Sihanoukville	Shianūkubiru (シアヌークビル)	Krong preahseihnou (ក្រុងព្រះសីហនុ)	Khmer

Canada

Canada Kanada (カナダ / 加奈陀)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Montreal	Montoriōru (モントリオール)	Montréal	French
		Montreal	English
Vancouver	Bankūbā (バンクーバー)	Vancouver	English
Victoria	Bikutoria (ビクトリア)	Victoria	English

China

China Chūgoku (中国)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Beijing	Pekin, Hokkyō (北京)	Bĕijīng	Mandarin	based on Chinese postal romanization
Chengdu	Seito (成都)	Chéngdū	Mandarin	based on kanji on readings
Changchun	Chōshun (長春)	Chángchūn (长春)	Mandarin	based on kanji on readings
Chongqing	Jūkei (重慶)	Chóngqìng (重庆)	Mandarin	based on kanji on readings
Dalian	Dairen (大連)	Dàlián (大连)	Mandarin
	Ryojun (旅順)
Grass Island, Hong Kong (Tap Mun)	Tapumunchau, Tōmonshū (塔門洲)	Taapmùhn jāu	Cantonese	based on Cantonese pronunciation
Guangzhou	Kōshū (広州)	Guǎngzhōu (广州)	Mandarin	based on kanji on readings
Hohhot	Fufuhoto (呼和浩特)	Hūhéhàotè	Mandarin
		Kökeqota (ᠬᠥᠬᠡᠬᠣᠲᠠ)	Mongolian script
Hong Kong	Honkon, Kōkō (香港)	Hēung Góng	Cantonese	based on English exonym
Macau	Makao, Ōmon (澳門)	Ou Mun	Cantonese	based on Portuguese exonym
Nanjing	Nankin, Nankyō (南京)	Nánjīng	Mandarin	based on Chinese postal romanization
Shanghai	Shanhai, Jōkai (上海)	Shànghǎi	Mandarin	based on English exonym
Shenzhen	Shinsen (深圳)	Shēnzhèn	Mandarin	based on kanji on readings
Tai Po District, Hong Kong	Taipō, Taiho (大埔)	Daaihbou	Cantonese	based on Cantonese pronunciation
Tianjin	Tenshin (天津)	Tiānjīn	Mandarin	based on kanji on reading ten and imitated Chinese shin. Not to be confused with native Japanese word amatsu, written using the same kanji
Tibet	Chibetto (チベット), Seizō (西蔵)	Bod (བོད)	Tibetan	based on English exonym
Urumqi	Urumuchi (烏魯木斉)	Wūlǔmùqí (乌鲁木齐)	Mandarin
		Ürümqi (ئۈرۈمچى‎)	Uighur
Xinjiang	Shinkyō (新疆)	Shinjang (شىنجاڭ)	Uighur	based on kanji on readings
Yangtze River	Yōshikō (揚子江 )	Chángjiāng (长江)	Mandarin	based on kanji on readings

For endonyms derived from the Chinese language, Japanese typically uses the Chinese-derived term and maintains the same meaning and/or kanji of the endonym, albeit with a Japanese version of the pronunciation, or an approximate pronunciation of a historical English exonym if the city is internationally well-known. The exonyms above can also be written in katakana. One detail to be noted, however, is that for the names of certain districts or areas in Hong Kong, the pronunciations of the Japanese endonyms typically try to imitate the Cantonese pronunciation, instead of the Japanese on readings or the Mandarin pronunciation.

Czech Republic

Czechia Cheko (チェコ )
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Prague	Puraha / Purāgu / Puraggu (プラハ / プラーグ / プラッグ )	Praha	Czech

Egypt

Egypt Ejiputo (エジプト / 埃及)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Alexandria	Arekusandoria (アレクサンドリア)	al-ʾIskandariyya (الإسكندرية)	Standard Arabic
		Eskendereyya (اسكندرية)	Egyptian Arabic
		Alexandria (ⲁⲗⲉⲝⲁⲛⲇⲣⲓⲁ)	Coptic
		Rakodī (ⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ)	Coptic
		Alexandreia (Αλεξάνδρεια)	Greek
		Rakótis (Ρακώτις)	Greek
		Raˁ-Ḳāṭit	Egyptian
Cairo	Kairo (カイロ)	al-Qāhirah (القاهرة)	Standard Arabic
		Maṣr (مَصر)	Egyptian Arabic
Nile	Nairukawa (ナイル河 / ナイル川)	an-Nil (النيل)	Standard Arabic
		Phiaro (ⲫⲓⲁⲣⲱ)	Coptic
		Iteru	Egyptian

France

France Furansu (フランス / 仏蘭西)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Cannes	Kan'nu (カンヌ)	Cannes	French
Dunkirk	Dankeruku (ダンケルク)	Dunkerque	French
Lyon	Riyon (リヨン)	Lyon	French
Normandy	Norumandī (ノルマンディー)	Normandie	French
Paris	Pari (パリ)	Paris	French	Japanese form adapted from French pronunciation without liaison
Saint-Lo	Sanrō (サンロー)	Saint-Lô	French

Germany

Germany Doitsu (ドイツ / 独逸 )
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Berlin	Berurin (ベルリン)	Berlin	German
Cologne	Kerun (ケルン)	Köln	German
Frankfurt	Furankufuruto (フランクフルト)	Frankfurt	German
Hamburg	Hamburuku (ハンブルク)	Hamburg	German
Munich	Myunhen (ミュンヘン)	München	German

Greece

Greece Girisha (ギリシャ / 希臘)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Athens	Atene (アテネ)	Athína (Αθήνα)	Greek
Corinth	Korinto (コリント)	Kórinthos (Κόρινθος)	Greek
Crete	Kureta (クレタ)	Kríti (Κρήτη)	Greek
Marathon	Marason (マラソン)	Marathónios (Μαραθώνιος)	Greek	based on English exonym
Olympia	Olympia (オリンピア)	Olympía (Ολυμπία)	Greek
Philippi	Firippi (フィリッピ)	Fílippi (Φίλιπποι)	Greek
Santorini	Santorīni (サントリーニ)	Thíra (Θήρα)	Greek
Sparta	Suparuta (スパルタ)	Spárti (Σπάρτη)	Greek	Based on English
Thebes	Tēbe (テーベ)	Thíva (Θήβα)	Greek
Thessalonica	Tessaroniki (テッサロニキ)	Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη)	Greek

Iceland

Iceland Aisurando (アイスランド / 愛斯蘭/ 氷州), Hyōtō (氷島)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Reykjavik	Reikyabiku (レイキャビク), Reykyavīku (レイキャウィーク)	Reykjavík	Icelandic

India

India Indo (インド / 印度)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Bangalore	Bangarōru (バンガロール)	Bengaluru (बेंगलुरु)	Hindi
Chennai	Chen'nai (チェンナイ)	Chennee (चेन्नई)	Hindi
Ganges	Ganjisu (ガンジス)	Ganga (गंगा)	Hindi
Hyderabad	Haiderabādo (ハイデラバード)	Haidaraabaad (हैदराबाद)	Hindi
Kolkata	Korukata (コルカタ)	Kolakaata (कोलकाता)	Hindi
Mumbai	Mumbai (ムンバイ)	Mumbee (मुंबई)	Hindi
New Delhi	Nyūderī (ニューデリー)	Naii Dillii (नई दिल्ली)	Hindi	based on English exonym

Since India is home to many different languages and English is an official language in the country, Japanese exonyms are largely based on the English exonyms. The English exonyms are also familiar to many Indians.

Indonesia

Indonesia Indoneshia (インドネシア)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Bali	Bari (バリ)	Bali	Indonesian
Borneo	Boruneo (ボルネオ)	Kalimantan	Indonesian
Jakarta	Jakaruta (ジャカルタ)	Jakarta	Indonesian

Ireland

Ireland Airurando (アイルランド / 愛蘭)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Dublin	Daburin (ダブリン)	Baile Átha Cliath	Irish	The English name, Dublin, is also often used in Ireland.

Israel

Israel Isuraeru (イスラエル)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Dead Sea	Shikai (死海)	Yam ha-Melah (ים המלח)	Hebrew	Translation of "Dead Sea"
Jerusalem	Erusaremu (エルサレム)	Yerushaláyim (ירושלים)	Hebrew
Nazareth	Nazare (ナザレ)	Natsrat (נצרת)	Hebrew
Tel Aviv	Teruabibu (テルアビブ)	Tel Aviv (תל אביב)	Hebrew

Italy

Italy Itaria (イタリア / 伊太利亜 / 伊太利)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Bologna	Borōnya (ボローニャ)	Bologna	Italian
Florence	Firentse (フィレンツェ), Furōrensu (フローレンス)	Firenze	Italian	Furōrensu based on English exonym
Milan	Mirano (ミラノ)	Milano	Italian
Naples	Napori (ナポリ)	Napoli	Italian
Rome	Rōma (ローマ / 羅馬 )	Roma	Italian
Sicily	Shichiria (シチリア)	Sicilia	Italian
Venice	Venetsiya (ヴェネツィア), Benetsiya (ベネツィア), Benetshiya (ベネチア), Benisu (ベニス), Venisu (ヴェニス)	Venezia	Italian	Benisu/Venisu from English work of Shakespeare

Japanese exonyms for Italian place names are generally based on the Italian pronunciation rather than English exonyms.

Laos

Laos Raosu (ラオス)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Luang Prabang	Ruanpabān (ルアンパバーン)	Luangphabang (ຫລວງພະບາງ)	Lao	exonym based on actual Lao pronunciation rather than spelling
Vientiane	Bienchan (ビエンチャン)	Wīangchan (ວຽງຈັນ)	Lao

Malaysia

Malaysia Marēshia (マレーシア)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Borneo	Boruneo (ボルネオ)	Borneo	Malay
Johor Bahru	Johōrubaru (ジョホールバル)	Johor Bahru	Malay
Kuala Lumpur	Kuararumpūru (クアラルンプール)	Kuala Lumpur	Malay
Penang	Penan (ペナン), Tōjō-tō (東条島)	Pinang	Malay
Putrajaya	Putorajaya (プトラジャヤ)	Putrajaya	Malay

Mexico

Mexico Mekishiko (メキシコ / 墨西哥)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Cancun	Kankun (カンクン)	Cancun	Spanish
Mexico City	Mekishikoshiti (メキシコシティ)	Ciudad de México	Spanish
Puerto Vallarta	Puerutobajaruta (プエルトバジャルタ)	Puerto Vallarta	Spanish
Tijuana	Tifana (ティファナ), Tiwana (ティワナ)	Tijuana	Spanish	Tiwana from English pronunciation
Ciudad Juarez	Shiudādofuaresu (シウダードフアレス)	Ciudad Juárez	Spanish

Myanmar

Myanmar Myanmā (ミャンマー)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Bagan	Bagan (バガン)	Pugan (ပုဂံ)	Burmese
Naypyidaw	Nepidō (ネピドー)	Naypyidaw (နေပြည်တော်)	Burmese
Yangon	Yangon (ヤンゴン)	Raankone (ရန်ကုန်)	Burmese

The Netherlands

Netherlands (オランダ / 阿蘭陀 / 和蘭)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Amsterdam	Amusuterudamu (アムステルダム )	Amsterdam	Dutch
The Hague	Hāgu (ハーグ)	Den Haag	Dutch

North Korea

North Korea (Kita-)Chōsen ([北]朝鮮)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Pyongyang	Heijō/Pyonyan (平壌)	Pyŏngyang (평양)	Korean	Japanese exonyms are the Sino-Japanese name and the Japono-Koreanic pronunciation respectively.

Pakistan

Pakistan Pakisutan (パキスタン)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Islamabad	Isuramabādo (イスラマバード)	Islamabad (اسلام آباد)	Urdu
Karachi	Karachi (カラチ)	Karachi (کراچی)	Urdu
Lahore	Rahōru (ラホール)	Lahor (لاہور)	Urdu

Portugal

Portugal Porutogaru (ポルトガル / 葡萄牙)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Lisbon	Risubon (リスボン)	Lisboa	Portuguese

Russia

Russia Roshia, Rokoku (ロシア / 露西亜, 露国)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Grozny	Gurozunui (グロズヌイ)	Groznyj (Грозный)	Russian
		Sölƶa-Ġala	Chechen
Moscow	Mosukuwa (モスクワ)	Moskva (Москва)	Russian
Novosibirsk	Noboshibirusuku (ノボシビルスク)	Novosibirsk (Новосибирск)	Russian
Saint Petersburg	Sankutopeteruburugu (サンクトペテルブルク)	Sankt-Peterburg (Санкт-Петербург)	Russian
Siberia	Shiberia (シベリア)	Sibir' (Сибирь)	Russian
Vladivostok	Urajiosutoku (ウラジオストク)	Vladivostok (Владивосток)	Russian
Volgograd	Borugogurādo (ボルゴグラード)	Volgograd (Волгоград)	Russian
Yekaterinburg	Ekaterinburuku (エカテリンブルク)	Ekaterinburg (Екатеринбург)	Russian

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Saujiarabia (サウジアラビア)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Mecca	Mekka (メッカ)	Makkah (مكة)	Arabic
Medina	Medina (メディナ)	Madinah (مدينة)	Arabic
Riyadh	Riyado (リヤド)	Riyadh (رياض)	Arabic

South Africa

South Africa Minami Afurika, Nan'a (南アフリカ, 南亜)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Cape of Good Hope	Kēpu Obu Guddohōpu, Kibouhou (ケープ・オブ・グッドホープ, 喜望峰 )	Cape of Good Hope	English	Translation of "Cape of Hope"
Johannesburg	Yohanesuburugu (ヨハネスブルグ)	Johannesburg	Afrikaans	based on Afrikaans pronunciation

South Korea

South Korea Kankoku (韓国)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Busan	Fuzan/Pusan (釜山)	Busan (부산)	Korean
Incheon	Jinsen/Inchon (仁川)	Incheon (인천)	Korean
Daegu	Taikyū/Tegu (大邱)	Daegu (대구)	Korean
Daejeon	Taiden (大田)	Daejeon (대전)	Korean
Gwangju	Kōshū (光州)	Gwangju (광주)	Korean
Suwon	Suigen (水原)	Suwon (수원)	Korean
Ulsan	Urusan (蔚山)	Ulsan (울산)	Korean
Masan	Masan (馬山)	Masan (마산)	Korean
Goyang	Kōyō (高陽)	Goyang (고양)	Korean
Yongin	Ryūjin (龍仁)	Yongin (용인)	Korean
Bucheon	Fusen (富川)	Bucheon (부천)	Korean
Cheongju	Seishū (清州)	Cheongju (청주)	Korean
Ansan	Anzan (安山)	Ansan (안산)	Korean
Jeonju	Zenshū (全州)	Jeonju (전주)	Korean
Cheonan	Ten'an (天安)	Cheonan (천안)	Korean
Anyang	An'yō (安養)	Anyang (안양)	Korean
Gimhae	Kinkai (金海)	Gimhae (김해)	Korean
Pohang	Hokō (浦項)	Pohang (포항)	Korean
Pyeongtaek	Heitaku (平沢)	Pyeongtaek (평택)	Korean
Jeju	Saishū (済州)	Jeju (제주)	Korean
Siheung	Shikō (始興)	Siheung (시흥)	Korean
Uijeongbu	Giseifu (議政府)	Uijeongbu (의정부)	Korean
Paju	Hashū (坡州)	Paju (파주)	Korean
Gimpo	Kinpo (金浦)	Gimpo (김포)	Korean
Jinju	Shinshū (晋州)	Jinju (진주)	Korean
Gwangmyeong	Kōmei (光明)	Gwangmyeong (광명)	Korean
Wonju	Genshū (原州)	Wonju (원주)	Korean
Asan	Gazan (牙山)	Asan (아산)	Korean
Gwangju	Kōshū (広州)	Gwangju (광주)	Korean
Iksan	Ekizan (益山)	Iksan (익산)	Korean
Yangsan	Ryōzan (梁山)	Yangsan (양산)	Korean
Gunpo	Gunpo (軍浦)	Gunpo (군포)	Korean
Chuncheon	Shunsen (春川)	Chuncheon (춘천)	Korean
Gyeongsan	Keizan (慶山)	Gyeongsan (경산)	Korean
Gunsan	Gunzan (群山)	Gunsan (군산)	Korean
Yeosu	Reisui (麗水)	Yeosu (여수)	Korean
Suncheon	Junten (順天)	Suncheon (순천)	Korean
Gyeongju	Keishū (慶州)	Gyeongju (경주)	Korean
Geoje	Kyosai (巨済)	Geoje (거제)	Korean
Mokpo	Moppo (木浦)	Mokpo (목포)	Korean
Gangneung	Kōryō (江陵)	Gangneung (강릉)	Korean
Osan	Uzan (烏山)	Osan (오산)	Korean
Chungju	Chūshū (忠州)	Chungju (충주)	Korean
Icheon	Risen (利川)	Icheon (이천)	Korean
Yangju	Yōshū (楊州)	Yangju (양주)	Korean
Anseong	Anjō (安城)	Anseong (안성)	Korean
Andong	Antō (安東)	Andong (안동)	Korean
Dangjin	Tōshin (唐津)	Dangjin (당진)	Korean
Pocheon	Hōsen (抱川)	Pocheon (포천)	Korean
Hanam	Kanan (河南)	Hanam (하남)	Korean
Gwangyang	Kōyō (光陽)	Gwangyang (광양)	Korean
Gimcheon	Kinsen (金泉)	Gimcheon (김천)	Korean
Tongyeong	Tōei (統営)	Tongyeong (통영)	Korean
Jecheon	Teisen (堤川)	Jecheon (제천)	Korean
Nonsan	Ronzan (論山)	Nonsan (논산)	Korean
Gongju	Kōshū (公州), Yūshin (熊津)	Gongju (공주)	Korean
Sacheon	Shisen (泗川)	Sacheon (사천)	Korean
Jeongeup	Seiyū (井邑)	Jeongeup (정읍)	Korean
Yeoju	Rishū (驪州)	Yeoju (여주)	Korean
Yeongju	Eishū (栄州)	Yeongju (영주)	Korean
Miryang	Mitsuyō (密陽)	Miryang (밀양)	Korean
Boryeong	Honei (保寧)	Boryeong (보령)	Korean
Sangju	Shōshū (尚州)	Sangju (상주)	Korean
Yeongcheon	Eisen (永川)	Yeongcheon (영천)	Korean
Dongducheon	Tōtōsen (東豆川)	Dongducheon (동두천)	Korean
Naju	Rashū (羅州)	Naju (나주)	Korean
Donghae	Tōkai (東海), Mokko (墨湖)	Donghae (동해)	Korean
Gimje	Kintei (金堤)	Gimje (김제)	Korean
Sokcho	Sokusō (束草)	Sokcho (속초)	Korean
Mungyeong	Bunkei (聞慶)	Mungyeong (문경)	Korean
Samcheok	Sanchoku (三陟)	Samcheok (삼척)	Korean
Gwacheon	Kasen (果川)	Gwacheon (과천)	Korean
Taebaek	Taihaku (太白)	Taebaek (태백)	Korean
Gyeryong	Keiryū (鶏龍)	Gyeryong (계룡)	Korean
Ganghwado	Kōka (江華)	Ganghwa (강화)	Korean
Jinhae	Chinkai (鎮海)	Jinhae (진해)	Korean
Ulleung-do	Utsuryō-tō (鬱陵島), Matsushima (松島)	Ulleungdo (울릉도)	Korean
Myeongdong	Mei-dō (明洞), Meiji-chō (明治町)	Myeongdong (명동)	Korean
Insadong	Jinji-dō (仁寺洞), Jinji-chō (仁寺町)	Insadong (인사동)	Korean
Seoul	Keijō/Kyōjō (京城), Kanjō (漢城), Irenosashi/Ireijō (慰礼城), Sōru (ソウル)	Seoul (서울)	Korean	Sōru usually only written in katakana

While most South Korean place names are derived from words in the Chinese language, Japanese can refer to a Korean place name using Japanese on readings (Jeju 濟州 is Saishū さいしゅう in Japanese), Japanese kun readings (e.g. Incheon 仁川 is Nigawa にがわ in Japanese), or a pronunciation that imitates the Korean endonym name as closely as possible (Itaewon 梨泰院 is Itewon イテウォン or Ritaiin りたいいん in Japanese). Many place names in Korea have at least two of the pronunciations, the first being based on the Japanese on or kun reading and the second being based on the Korean endonym, with the latter being made so that the Japanese could navigate and ask for directions more clearly to native Koreans.

Spain

Spain Supein, Supein, Isupania, (スペイン / 西班牙、 イスパニア)
Engish name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Barcelona	Baruserona (バルセロナ)	Barcelona	Spanish
			Catalan
Madrid	Madorīdo, Madoriddo (マドリード、マドリッド)	Madrid	Spanish
Seville	Sebiria (セビリア)	Sevilla	Spanish

Taiwan

Taiwan Taiwan (台湾)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Keelung	Kiryū, Kīrun (基隆)	Jīlóng	Mandarin
Kaohsiung	Takao, Kōyū (高雄)	Gāoxióng	Mandarin	Takao is based on the indigenous name for the city
Taichung	Taichū (台中)	Táizhōng	Mandarin
Tainan	Tainan (台南)	Táinán	Mandarin
Taipei	Taihoku/Taipē (台北)	Táiběi	Mandarin
Taitung	Taitō (台東)	Táidōng	Mandarin

Thailand

Thailand Tai, Taikoku (タイ, 泰国)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Ayutthaya	Ayutaya (アユタヤ)	Ayutthaya (อยุธยา)	Thai
Bangkok	Bankoku (バンコク)	Krung Thep (กรุงเทพ)	Thai	based on English exonym
Chiang Mai	Chenmai (チェンマイ)	Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่)	Thai
Chiang Rai	Chenrai (チェンライ)	Chiang Rai (เชียงราย)	Thai
Pattaya	Pataya (パタヤ)	Pattaya (พัทยา)	Thai
Phuket	Pūketto (プーケット)	Phuket (ภูเก็ต)	Thai
Sukhothai	Sukōtai (スコータイ)	Sukhothai (สุโขทัย)	Thai

Turkey

Turkey Tākī (ターキー)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Ankara	Ankara (アンカラ)	Ankara	Turkish
Cappadocia	Kappadokia (カッパドキア)	Kapadokya	Turkish
Tarsus	Tarususu (タルスス)	Tarsus	Turkish
Istanbul	Isutanbūru (イスタンブール)	İstanbul	Turkish
Izmir	Izumiru (イズミル)	İzmir	Turkish

United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates Arabu-shuchōkokurempō (アラブ首長国連邦)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Abu Dhabi	Abudabi (アブダビ)	Abu Dhabi (أبوظبي)	Standard Arabic
Dubai	Dobai (ドバイ)	Dubay (دبي)	Standard Arabic

United Kingdom

United Kingdom Igirisu, Egeresu, Eikoku, Rengō-ōkoku (イギリス / 英吉利、エゲレス、英国、連合王国)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Belfast	Berufasuto (ベルファスト)	Belfast	English
		Béal Feirste	Irish
Cardiff	Kādifu (カーディフ)	Cardiff	English
		Caerdydd	Welsh
Dover	Dōbā (ドーバー)	Dover	English
Edinburgh	Edinbara/Ejinbara (エディンバラ/エジンバラ)	Edinburgh	English	Based on the Received Pronunciation of the name as opposed to the Scots pronunciation
			Scots
England	Ingurando (イングランド)	England	English
Glasgow	Gurasugō (グラスゴー)	Glasgow	English
London	Rondon (ロンドン)	London	English
Northern Ireland	Kita-airurando (北アイルランド)	Northern Ireland	English
Scotland	Sukottorando (スコットランド)	Scotland	English
Wales	Wēruzu (ウェールズ)	Wales	English
		Cymru	Welsh
York	Yōku (ヨーク)	York	English

United States

United States Amerika, Beigoku, Gasshuukoku (アメリカ / 亜米利加, 米国, 合衆国)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
California	Kariforunia, Kashū (カリフォルニア, 加州)	California	English
Chicago	Shikago (シカゴ)	Chicago	English
Denali	Denari (デナリ)	Denali	English
Golden Gate Bridge	Goruden Gēto Burijji, Kinmon-kyō (ゴールデン・ゲート・ブリッジ, 金門橋)	Golden Gate Bridge	English	Kimmonkyou is a translation of "Golden Gate Bridge"
Hawaii	Hawai (ハワイ)	Hawaii	English
		Hawaiʻi	Hawaiian
Hollywood	Hariuddo, Shōrin (ハリウッド/ 聖林)	Hollywood	English	聖 = holy, 林 = woods
Los Angeles	Rosanzerusu (ロサンゼルス)	Los Angeles	English
New York City	Nyūyōku (ニューヨーク)	New York City	English
Pearl Harbor	Pāru Hābā, Shinjuwan (パール・ハーバー, 真珠湾)	Pearl Harbor	English	Shinju-wan is a translation of "pearl bay"
Washington, DC	Washinton Dīshī, Kafu (ワシントン DC, 華府)	Washington, DC	English

Vietnam

Vietnam Betonamu (ベトナム / 越南)
English name	Japanese name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Danang	Tanō (沱㶞)	Đà Nẵng	Vietnamese	based on kanji on readings
Haiphong	Kaibō (海防)	Hải Phòng	Vietnamese	based on kanji on readings
Halong Bay	Karyū-wan (下龍湾)	Vịnh Hạ Long	Vietnamese	based on kanji on readings
Hanoi	Kanai (河内)	Hà Nội	Vietnamese	based on kanji on readings
Ho Chi Minh City	Koshimei-shi (胡志明市)	Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh	Vietnamese	Formerly known as Saigon, though both names are still used colloquially.
Hue	Junka (順化)	Huế	Vietnamese	based on kanji on readings
Saigon	Saikon (柴棍)	Sài Gòn	Vietnamese	Saigon is the former name for Ho Chi Minh City, though both names are still used colloquially.

See also

• Exonym and endonym
• Names of Asian cities in different languages
• Japanese place names
• List of Japanese prefectural name etymologies

References

• Nelson, Andrew N. (1962) The Modern Reader's Japanese-English Character Dictionary (Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company)

External links

• List of countries in Ateji