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How to Say ‘City hall’ in Japanese

市役所

shi yakusho

[shee YAH-koo-shoh]

🇯🇵 In Japan: In Tokyo's 23 wards you go to the 区役所 (kuyakusho) "ward office" instead. Staff at immigration may name either one depending on where you live.

Phrase Breakdown

市

shi

[shee]

city

A city or municipality; used as a prefix in compounds.

Example

市の図書館に行きます。

I go to the city library.

役所

yakusho

[YAH-koo-shoh]

government office

A public administrative office; 市役所 is city hall.

Example

役所は九時に開きます。

The government office opens at nine.

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