〜区(く)

〜区(く) is a suffix indicating a ward or administrative district within a city.

TOKYO'S 23 wards

Tokyo has 23 特別区(とくべつく) (special wards), which function similarly to cities. Examples:

• 渋谷区(しぶやく): Shibuya Ward
• 新宿区(しんじゅくく): Shinjuku Ward
• 港区(みなとく): Minato Ward

Other cities

Major cities like 大阪(おおさか), 横浜(よこはま), 名古屋(なごや), and 札幌(さっぽろ) also have wards (called 行政区(ぎょうせいく)).

Administrative hierarchy

• 都道府県(とどうふけん): prefecture
• 市(し): city
• 区(く): ward
• 町(まち): town
• 村(むら): village

Usage

区役所(くやくしょ) is the ward office where residents handle registration, taxes, and other administrative tasks.