Takayama
Municipal Office (International Affairs Office)
Among the service offered at the City
Office (SHIYAKUSHO in Japanese), you can find the following:
The International Affairs Office (KOKUSAI
GAKARI) on the fourth floor; the Citizens' Affairs Section (SHIMINKA)
on the first floor, which processes information for Non-Japanese
Registration and the National Health Insurance; the Taxation
Section (ZEIMUKA), also on the first floor, which handles all
aspects of municipal, prefectural, and national taxes. The Tourism
Section (KANKOKA), which has information in both English and
Japanese on the various sights to see and things to do in and
around Takayama. Please check the map in to find the location
of the City Office Building. It is open Monday through Friday
from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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City
Culture Center
The City Culture Center (SHIMIN BUNKA
KAIKAN in Japanese) is located about two blocks south of the
Welfare Center and about 100 meters directly west of the Takayama
JR Station. This building has large and small auditoriums, meeting
halls and classrooms available for hourly use. Many cultural
classes, exhibitions, and lectures are held at the Center sponsored
by the City as well as other public and private groups. There
are also various concerts, musical productions, and movie showings
held in the auditoriums. We strongly suggest that you acquaint
yourself with activities there. The Center is an excellent place
to experience Japanese culture in all its various forms. The
Center is usually closed on Mondays.
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Takayama
City Library
Takayama City Library (TOSHOKAN) is
located near the Kami Sannomachi old streets area. The library
is open from 9:00 to 6:00 Tuesday through Friday, 1:00 to 5:00
on Saturday, and 9:00 to 5:00 on Sunday. The library has a modest
selection of books in English and other languages besides Japanese.
The selection has been growing recently as foreign residents
have continued to donate books. The library also subscribes to
The Japan Times (a national daily in English). The library accepts
donations of books in any language.
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Welfare
Center
Just northwest of Takayama Station,
next to the city gymnasium, you can find the city's Welfare Center
(SOGO FUKUHI SENTAA in Japanese). This office is engaged in activities
to help Takayama's disabled, as well as the economically disadvantaged,
and the elderly.
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Hida
Tourist Information Office
The City of Takayama operates the Hida
Tourist Information Office (KANKO ANNAISHO) in front of Takayama
JR Station as an office of the Hida District Administrative Offices.
There is most often an English-speaking guide on hand who can
help you with your travel, food, and accommodation plans.
The Hida Tourist Information Office
is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from April 1st to October
31st; from November 1st to March 31st, it is open from 8:30 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m.
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Other
Services
The International Affairs Office manages
a group of Volunteer Interpreters to help non-Japanese-speakers
by interpreting into English, Spanish, Chinese, German, French,
and other languages. To learn more about the volunteer interpreter
service, or to volunteer yourself, please call the International
Affairs Office at 35-3130.
Home Stays and Home Visits can also
be arranged through the International Affairs Office. So please
call or stop by for more information regarding these items.
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CITY SERVICES
