Quick Answer
Kobe City Hall (神戸市役所) is at 〒650-8570 神戸市中央区加納町6-5-1, tel 078-331-8181. A 5-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station. Kobe has 9 wards and approximately 50,000 foreign residents — one of Japan's most international cities. The Kitano area (north of Sannomiya) is historic home to Western expatriates with preserved ijinkan (foreign residences). The Kobe International Community Center (KICC) at Kitano provides comprehensive multilingual support.
Key Offices
| Office | Address | Phone | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kobe City Hall (神戸市役所) | Kano-cho 6-5-1, Chuo-ku | 078-331-8181 | Central admin, 24F observation deck |
| Chuo-ku Ward Office | Higashimachi 115, Chuo-ku | 078-232-4411 | Resident registration, NHI, tax |
| KICC (Kobe International Community Center) | Kitano-cho 4-20-57 (Bilance Bldg 8F) | 078-272-4020 | Multilingual consultation, classes |
Kobe's International Heritage
Kobe has been an international port city since 1868, making it one of Japan's most cosmopolitan cities. The Kitano Ijinkan (異人館) district preserves Western-style houses from the Meiji era. Kobe's Chinatown (Nankin-machi) is one of Japan's three major Chinatowns. The city has strong Korean, Chinese, Indian, and Vietnamese communities. Kobe was designated as a "Design City" by UNESCO in 2008.
FAQ
Q: Which ward office do I visit?
A: Visit the ward office for the ward where you live. Most foreigners live in Chuo-ku (Sannomiya/Kitano) or Higashinada-ku (Okamoto/Sumiyoshi). The ward office handles resident registration, NHI, and tax.
Q: Is there multilingual support?
A: Yes, KICC (078-272-4020) provides consultation in English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages.
Disclaimer
Office hours and services may change. Contact Kobe City at 078-331-8181 for current info.
Last updated: April 2026.