Japanese Phrases for the City Hall / Ward Office
Resident registration, certificates, taxes — handle it all in Japanese.
The city hall (市役所, shiyakusho) or ward office (区役所, kuyakusho) is where you handle most of your official paperwork in Japan — moving in, health insurance, taxes, certificates. The staff are usually patient, but knowing the right phrases saves you a lot of back-and-forth. Here's what you need.
At the Counter
すみません、何番の窓口に行けばいいですか？
Sumimasen, nanban no madoguchi ni ikeba ii desu ka?
Excuse me, which counter should I go to?
番号札はどこで取れますか？
Bangou fuda wa doko de toremasu ka?
Where do I get a number ticket?
この書類の書き方を教えてください。
Kono shorui no kakikata wo oshiete kudasai.
Could you show me how to fill out this form?
英語の書類はありますか？
Eigo no shorui wa arimasu ka?
Do you have forms in English?
Resident Registration
転入届を出したいのですが。
Tennyu todoke wo dashitai no desu ga.
I'd like to submit a move-in registration.
転出届をお願いします。
Tenshutsu todoke wo onegaishimasu.
I'd like to file a move-out notice.
住所変更の手続きをしたいです。
Juusho henkou no tetsuzuki wo shitai desu.
I'd like to update my address.
マイナンバーカードを申請したいです。
Mai nanbaa kaado wo shinsei shitai desu.
I'd like to apply for a My Number card.
在留カードの住所も変更が必要ですか？
Zairyuu kaado no juusho mo henkou ga hitsuyou desu ka?
Do I also need to update the address on my residence card?
Certificate Requests
住民票をもらいたいのですが。
Juuminhyou wo moraitai no desu ga.
I'd like to get a copy of my resident record.
印鑑証明書を発行してもらえますか？
Inkan shoumeisho wo hakkou shite moraemasu ka?
Can I get a seal registration certificate?
課税証明書が必要なんですが。
Kazei shoumeisho ga hitsuyou nan desu ga.
I need a tax certificate.
何日くらいでできますか？
Nannichi kurai de dekimasu ka?
How many days will it take?
Taxes & Insurance
国民健康保険に加入したいです。
Kokumin kenkou hoken ni kanyuu shitai desu.
I'd like to enroll in National Health Insurance.
保険料はいくらですか？
Hokenryou wa ikura desu ka?
How much is the insurance premium?
住民税の支払い方法を教えてください。
Juuminzei no shiharai houhou wo oshiete kudasai.
Could you tell me how to pay my resident tax?
口座振替にしたいのですが。
Kouza furikae ni shitai no desu ga.
I'd like to set up automatic bank transfers.
減免制度はありますか？
Genmen seido wa arimasu ka?
Is there an exemption or reduction program?
Cultural Tips
- City hall offices in Japan typically operate Monday to Friday, 8:30-17:15. Some offer limited Saturday hours, but it varies by city. Check your local office website before visiting.
- Bring your residence card (在留カード), My Number notification, and your personal seal (印鑑) if you have one. For address changes, you'll also need your previous address information.
- Most city halls have a free consultation counter or multilingual support line. Ask for 「通訳サービスはありますか？」(Tsuuyaku saabisu wa arimasu ka? — Is there an interpreter service?) if you need help.
FAQ
What do I need to do at city hall when I first move to Japan?
Within 14 days of moving in, you need to submit a move-in registration (転入届). Bring your residence card and passport. At the same time, you can enroll in National Health Insurance and National Pension if your employer doesn't cover them. You'll also get your My Number notification.
Can I handle city hall procedures in English?
Most city halls in major cities have some multilingual support — either staff who speak English, interpretation tablets, or a phone translation service. Smaller town offices may not, so bring SayLy or a friend who can help translate. Forms are almost always in Japanese only.
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