Where to get help in Tokyo

Main immigration bureau for the Greater Tokyo area: residence card, status renewals, changes, and permanent residence applications.

IP phone / overseas: 03-5796-7234. Covers 10 prefectures incl. Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Niigata, Yamanashi, Nagano. Yokohama Branch handles Kanagawa.

National body for gyoseishoshi (certified administrative scriveners). Referral to local associations and member search for immigration-qualified practitioners.

Not an endorsement of specific practitioners. Use the member search at gyosei.or.jp/members-search or contact your prefectural association for a referral.

Free telephone immigration consultation run by the Tokyo Administrative Scriveners Association for residents in Tokyo.

Consultations limited to 30 minutes. For in-person referrals or complex cases, use the member search. Not an endorsement of specific practitioners.

Multilingual phone and in-person guidance on residence status, renewals, and changes from the Immigration Services Agency.

IP phone / from overseas: 03-5796-7112. In-person counters at all 8 regional bureaus and Yokohama, Kobe, Naha. Hours vary by location.

One-stop center in Shinjuku housing Tokyo Immigration Bureau, labour bureau, legal aid, MOFA, and JETRO counters under one roof.

IP phone / overseas: 03-5363-3013. Reservation (21 languages): 03-5363-3025. Multiple government agencies on the same floor.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government portal: resident registration, My Number, and National Health Insurance are handled at each special ward office.

Go to your ward office (区役所) for personal procedures — not the metro building.

Ward office for Chiyoda, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Chuo, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Minato, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Shinjuku, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Confirm the foreign-resident counter, languages, and hours on the ward site.

Ward office for Bunkyo, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Taito, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Sumida, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Koto, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Shinagawa, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Meguro, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Ota, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Setagaya, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Shibuya, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Nakano, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Suginami, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Toshima, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Kita, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Arakawa, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Itabashi, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Nerima, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Adachi, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Katsushika, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Ward office for Edogawa, Tokyo: moving-in/out notification, residence card address update, My Number, and National Health Insurance.

Tokyo's multicultural coexistence foundation: 14-language telephone consultation (0120-142-142) for foreign residents on daily life, admin, and legal matters.

National pension consultation line: enrolment, contributions, exemptions, and the lump-sum withdrawal payment when leaving Japan.

From an IP phone or overseas: 03-6700-1165. For pension benefits and lump-sum withdrawal. National Pension line: 0570-003-004. Employee pension / health insurance: 0570-007-123.

Foreign-language pension consultation on enrolment, contributions, lump-sum withdrawal, and employee insurance procedures.

Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Filipino (Tagalog), Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, Nepali, Burmese. Dial 0570-05-1165 and state preferred language. Schedule may change; confirm current days/languages on the JPS international page.

JPS branch for Chiyoda ward; also the designated office for pension procedures for foreign nationals who have never resided in Japan.

Designated office for applicants who have never had a Japanese address. Free interpretation available at branch offices — call the multilingual line first.

JPS branch for Shinjuku ward, serving one of the largest foreigner populations in Tokyo.

Free on-site interpretation available at JPS branch offices (contact the multilingual line to confirm availability).

JPS branch for Shibuya ward.

JPS branch for Minato ward (Hamamatsucho area).

International health insurance plans (Silver/Gold/Platinum) with worldwide coverage including Japan; 24/7 Japanese-language customer service line available.

Underwritten by Cigna Global Insurance Company Limited. Customer care: +44 (0)1475 788182; cignaglobal_customer.care@cigna.com. Listing is informational — not an endorsement.

International Medical Group expatriate health insurance with worldwide coverage (including Japan add-on); 24/7 multilingual assistance and member portal.

International Medical Group, Inc. — phone: +1 (317) 655-4500; insurance@imglobal.com. Japan coverage requires selecting the worldwide (including Japan) plan tier. Listing is informational — not an endorsement.

English-language insurance broker matching expats in Japan with international health insurance plans; compares top insurers and handles claims.

Pacific Prime is an established broker with 20+ years in international insurance. Website verified as live; Japan-specific page and contact form available at pacificprime.com/contact-us. Direct phone for Japan office not confirmed at time of research — verify current contact on the website. Listing is informational — not an endorsement.

Hello Work center in Yotsuya (FRESC building) specialising in job placement and work-status guidance for foreign residents and international students in the Tokyo area.

Located inside FRESC (Foreign Residents Support Center). Interpreter availability by language varies by day — confirm on the official site.

Bilingual recruitment specialist placing foreign professionals in global companies in Japan; interviews conducted in English and Japanese.

Listing is informational; not an endorsement. Verify services and Tokyo office details at jac-international.jp.

Bilingual permanent and contract recruitment for global organisations in Japan; free for job seekers across IT, finance, HR, and other sectors.

Listing is informational; not an endorsement. Confirm office locations and contact on official site.

Leading bilingual specialist recruiter in Japan with Tokyo and Osaka offices; permanent and contract roles across all professional disciplines.

Listing is informational; not an endorsement. Tokyo office is in Shibuya; address not confirmed by WebFetch (site returned 403). Confirm current address at robertwalters.co.jp/en/contact-us.

Online job portal for bilingual and multilingual professionals in Japan; lists positions at international companies with varying Japanese requirements.

Listing is informational; not an endorsement.

Japan's multilingual job portal (operated by Human Resocia); over 10,000 listings for bilingual and multilingual professionals since 1998.

Listing is informational; not an endorsement. Operator merged with Human Resocia Co., Ltd. as of May 2026.

Free after-hours MHLW hotline for advice on working conditions in 13 languages; weekday evenings and weekends/holidays.

Phone shown is English line (0120-531-401). Other language-specific 0120 numbers listed at the official URL. Operated by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

MHLW weekday daytime phone consultation on labour conditions in 13 languages via dedicated 0570 numbers; each language has its own line.

Phone shown is English line (0570-001-701). Dial by language: ZH 0570-001-702, PT 0570-001-703, ES 0570-001-704, TL 0570-001-705, VI 0570-001-706. Operated by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

In-person labour consultation for foreign residents at FRESC (Yotsuya Tower); staffed by the Tokyo Labour Bureau with multilingual support.

Navi-dial 0570-011000 — select No. 2 for labour consultation. Direct: +81-3-5361-8728. Located in FRESC, same building as the Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners.

Foreigner-focused rent guarantor and apartment search service with multilingual support; useful when you lack a Japanese guarantor.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Confirm fees and terms directly.

Share houses, guest houses, and furnished apartments aimed at foreign residents — typically no key money, deposit, or guarantor.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Mainly Greater Tokyo. Confirm current terms.

One of Japan's largest furnished apartment providers; foreigner-friendly with multilingual support, no personal guarantor required, and monthly contracts available.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Uses a guarantee company in lieu of a personal guarantor. Confirm current terms and fees directly.

Multilingual apartment portal operated by Nihon Agent; entire process (search, viewing, contract) available online in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Properties use guarantor companies rather than personal guarantors. Confirm terms directly.

Japan's largest foreigner-focused apartment search portal (230,000+ listings); multilingual staff, virtual tours, overseas lease signing, and guarantor-free options.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Portal is operated by Global Trust Networks (GTN). Confirm terms directly.

Large share-house operator with 860+ properties across nine prefectures; no deposit, no key money, no guarantor — contracts from one month.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Covers Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Fukuoka. Confirm current availability and terms.

International share houses in Tokyo, Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe, and Sendai — designed for mixed Japanese and foreign resident communities.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Operates in Tokyo, Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe), and Sendai. Confirm room availability and terms directly.

Tokyo-focused furnished apartment and guesthouse provider since 1990; no key money, no agent commission, no guarantor fee — multilingual staff.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. 800+ properties in central Tokyo. Confirm current availability and terms directly.

Bilingual Tokyo real estate agency specialising in expat relocation since 1969 — full English support for rental, purchase, and property management.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Focuses on Greater Tokyo; partner agencies for Osaka/Kobe. Confirm current terms directly.

Tokyo's leading premium expat housing agency; 50+ years serving foreign companies and embassies — English-speaking staff, luxury and high-grade listings.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Primary focus is Tokyo and Yokohama. Targets corporate expats and embassy personnel. Confirm fees and terms directly.

English-language property portal (GPlusMedia) covering rental, purchase, and investment listings across Japan — multilingual with no-guarantor and no-key-money filters.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Portal operated by GPlusMedia Inc. Agents and terms vary by listing.

Tokyo-focused foreigner-friendly rental platform (est. 2015); 2,000+ verified listings, AI-assisted matching, English digital contracts, and free utility setup guidance.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Realtor License 東京都知事(2)第102306号. Confirm current listings and fees directly.

Nationwide rent-guarantor company (保証会社) with English-language website; accepted by many landlords as a substitute for a personal Japanese guarantor.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Guarantor approval is at the company's discretion; fees and acceptance criteria vary. Confirm eligibility and fees directly.

Widely accessible bank with branches at post offices nationwide; a common first account for newcomers. Limited English at counters.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Account-opening rules for new arrivals (e.g. 6-month residency) vary by branch — confirm locally.

Retail bank with full English-language banking, multi-currency accounts, and international transfers — popular with foreign residents.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Confirm account types, fees, and eligibility directly.

Online-first bank consistently ranked top for foreign residents; full English internet banking, no monthly fees, no hanko required, free ATM withdrawals, and often accessible from arrival.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Account opening requires Residence Card; some visa types or residency periods may be subject to additional review. Confirm current eligibility directly.

Online bank with English account-opening process for foreign residents; no minimum residency period. Post-registration support and app are Japanese-language only.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. English support is limited to the account application phase; ongoing banking interface and customer support are Japanese only. Confirm current conditions directly.

Fintech money-transfer service registered with Japan's Kanto Financial Bureau; supports 21+ currencies, multi-currency account, debit card, and low-fee international remittance.

Informational listing, not an endorsement. Wise is a money-transfer service, not a traditional bank; it does not accept deposits in the Japanese banking sense. Requires a Japan address and Residence Card. Confirm current fees and eligibility directly.

Major general hospital in central Tokyo with English, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, and Tagalog support and international patient services.

Address, phone, and multilingual support verified from JNTO Tokyo medical institution list (official PDF). English site at hospital.luke.ac.jp/eng. Confirm reception hours and referral requirements on the hospital site.

General hospital in Akasaka, Tokyo where most doctors speak English; interpretation available. Accepts self-pay international patients.

Phone and address verified from JNTO Tokyo PDF and confirmed via official English site. International visitors from outside Japan typically need a medical coordinator — see sannoclc.or.jp/hospital/english/outpatient/.

Large university hospital in Bunkyo with a dedicated international healthcare center; English-speaking physicians and staff.

Phone 03-5802-1985 (IHC direct line) and address verified on hosp.juntendo.ac.jp/ihc/about.html. Main hospital switchboard 03-3813-3111.

General hospital in Minato, Tokyo with English patient support and multilingual website.

Address and phone from JNTO Tokyo PDF. Website https://mita.iuhw.ac.jp/english/ returned SSL error during verification; confirm site currency before relying on URL. Phone confirmed as main line; English page implied by JNTO listing.

Private clinic in Roppongi with English-speaking staff; outpatient medicine and health checkups.

Phone 03-5413-0080 and address verified via JNTO Tokyo PDF and official English site. English-speaking staff confirmed on site. Private clinic — not emergency room.

Japan's free emergency numbers: 110 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance, 118 for coast guard. Available 24/7 from any phone.

Source: JNTO official emergency guide page. Coast guard 118 not listed on that page but is a standard Japan emergency number; confirm at https://www.jcg.go.jp.

24/7 multilingual support hotline run by JNTO for visitors and foreign residents: emergencies, illness, disaster, and travel queries.

Phone and hours verified directly on JNTO emergency guide page.

Free, confidential mental-health and crisis support in English by phone and chat for Japan's international community.

Phone 0800-300-8355 and hours verified on telljp.com/lifeline/. Chat available daily from 16:00 — confirm current schedule at telljp.com/tell-hours/.

Multilingual phone line helping foreign residents find English-speaking doctors and understand Japan's medical system.

Toll-free number 0120-339-266 and hours verified on amdamedicalcenter.com homepage. Also has regular line 03-6233-9266. Language-day schedule may vary; confirm on their site.

Ministry of Health-funded toll-free helpline for foreign residents: visa, family, work, discrimination, domestic violence, and living queries.

Phone 0120-279-338 and hours verified via YIEA (Yamaguchi International Exchange Association) official page and TELL Japan wiki. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare model project. Press 2 for foreign-language service. Website could not be directly WebFetched — verify currency before sharing.