1.
ward office; municipal office of a city ward
The local government office that handles administrative services for a ward (区) in a major city. Provides services such as resident registration, family register, tax, insurance, and other civic procedures.
Composed of 区 (ward) and 役所 (government office). The administrative center for a 区 (ward) within designated cities.
Common collocations
- 区役所に行く: to go to the ward office
- 区役所の窓口: ward office counter
- 区役所で手続きをする: to complete procedures at the ward office
- 区役所に届け出る: to file a notification at the ward office
Similar words
- 市役所: city hall — for cities without wards
- 区役所: ward office — for wards within major cities
- 町役場: town hall — for smaller towns
- 村役場: village hall — for villages
- 役所: government office — general term
Cultural note
In Japan, many important life events require visits to the 区役所: registering births, marriages, and deaths; reporting a change of address; obtaining a 住民票 (certificate of residence) or 印鑑証明書 (seal registration certificate). Foreign residents also use the 区役所 for residence card procedures.