Did you know that your local Ward Office is much more than just a place to get your Alien Registration card?
Every Ward Office has LOTS of useful information for its residents, including details about available cooking classes, language lessons (several languages), hiking or exercise classes. These classes are usually available for only a nominal fee, and are often held in Ward Resident (Kumin) Centers. They also have information about language exchange programs, garbage pickup, entering the Japanese public school system, etc... Some Ward Offices even have a used furniture store! Several of the wards in central Tokyo have English guidebooks, as well as monthly newsletters for foreigners living here. Just visit your Ward Office, and ask at the Information Desk (right at the entrance) for maps, books, brochures, etc. Many of the Ward Offices also have English help lines which are excellent resources.
Minato (Tu & Th) 3578-2053, Shibuya (M-F) 3463-1211, ext. 2337 and Meguro (M-F) 3792-2113
There is also a great website for finding current information for foreign residents: www.metro.tokyo.jp; click on to “English” in the top left corner, then click onto Information for Foreign Residents Living in Tokyo, which has lots of information on locations of Ward Offices, government buildings, information for daily living, etc. Using your Ward Offices and centers will certainly broaden and deepen your experience in Tokyo!