役場(やくば)

役場(やくば) is the local government office for towns (町(まち)) and villages (村(むら)). It handles administrative services like resident registration, taxes, and public services.

SCALE DISTINCTION:

• 村役場(むらやくば): village office
• 町役場(まちやくば): town office
• 市役所(しやくしょ): city hall (for cities — uses 役所(やくしょ), not 役場(やくば))
• 区役所(くやくしょ): ward office (in large cities like Tokyo)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

• 役場(やくば)に届(とど)け出(で)を出(だ)す: to submit a notification
• 役場(やくば)で手続(てつづ)きをする: to complete procedures at the town hall
• 役場(やくば)の窓口(まどぐち): the service counter at town hall

USAGE:
The key distinction is that 役場(やくば) is for smaller municipalities, while 役所(やくしょ) is used for cities and wards. Using the wrong term sounds unnatural.