Nameplates for the Home Nameplates are located beside front doors and on gateposts. If you walk through any residential district in Japan you're sure to see them beside front doors and on gateposts - rectangular nameplates announcing who lives inside in bold kanji characters.
Some nameplates give the address as well.
Nameplates became common in the second half of the 19th century. The custom also grew as postal services spread throughout the country. In those days, almost all ordinary houses were made of wood. The first nameplates were generally made of wood, too. Many were quite rudimentary - just a piece of board left over after the house went up, with the family's name written on it.