Informational Newsletter for English-Speaking Residents “Hiroshima NOW” February 2026 (English No. 46)
Informational Newsletter for English Speaking Residents
The latest volume of Hiroshima NOW is here! ➡ PDF [5.14MB]
Articles in Hiroshima NOW are excerpts from Hiroshima Shimin to Shisei, a free newspaper produced by the City of Hiroshima. This monthly newsletter is published in English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Simplified Japanese.
Hiroshima Shimin to Shisei is available to view on the city’s website. It can also be translated via an automatic translation app into various languages.
🍫 Table of Contents
２．20 or older? Join the National Pension Plan
３．You have until March 16 to file your taxes
４．Provisional child-rearing benefit to combat rising costs
５．Secondary applications beginning on March 9
６．Holiday trash collection schedule in February and March 2026
１．Seasonal events information
The 23rd International Exchange Festival in Kure
Date: Sunday, February 8
Hours: 1 pm – 4 pm *Reception will start at 12:30 pm.
Venue: Kure City Hall (4-1-6 Chuō, Kure City)
Access: ① 15 minutes walk from JR Kure Station
② 4 minutes walk from Taiikukan Mae (体育館前) bus stop
🔸Express bus services (Kurea Line) are available from the center of Hiroshima City to Kure City.
You can get on the express bus from either the Hiroshima Bus Center or Hondori bus stop.
Program: A stamp rally, multicultural experience booths including Japanese calligraphy and Kimono, stage performances, and an ”Asian Noodle Market” selling various Asian instant noodles
Inquiries: Kure International Exchange Association Tel. 0823-25-5607
URL: http://kurekiea.com/kouza/festa2026/
Hiroshima Castle: Oyster Festival 2026 Free admission
😊 Food festival where you can enjoy Hiroshima oysters and various other Hiroshima specialties.
Date: February 14 (Saturday) and 15 (Sunday)
Hours: 10 am – 4 pm
Venue: Hiroshima Castle and RCC broadcasting head office’s surroundings
Access: ① 12 minutes walk from the Hiroshima Bus Center
② 17 minutes walk from JR Shin-hakushima Station
Inquiries: Hiroshima Castle Oyster Fest. Organization Committee
Tel. 082-221-1104
URL: https://rcc.jp/event/oysterfes/
Ume-mi Tea Ceremony at Shukkeien Park *”Ume-mi “means Japanese apricot blossom viewing
Date & Time: Sunday, February 15, 10 am – 3 pm
Venue: Shukkeien Park (2-11 Kaminobori-machi, Naka-ku)
Access: 5 minutes walk from Shukkeien mae streetcar stop (Hakushima Line)
Fee: 1,500 yen (Tea ceremony), 500 yen (Amazake)
🔸Admission fee for the garden is required separately.
【Admission fee】
Adults: 350 yen
College students: 150 yen
High school students and younger: Free
Inquires: Shukkeien Garden Tel. 082-221-3620
URL: https://shukkeien.jp
Hiroshima Oimo (Sweet potato) Expo 2026
😊 Enjoy dishes and sweets made from sweet potatoes
Date: Saturday, February 21 – Monday, February 23
Hours: 9:30 am – 4:45 pm
🔸It is 1 hour and 15 minutes limit. Tickets are valid for one entry only.
Group ① 9:30 am – 10:45 am Group ② 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Group ③ 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm Group ④ 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Group ⑤ 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
Venue: Hiroshima Gate Park Plaza
Access: ① 1 minute walk from Gembaku Dome-mae streetcar stop
② 5 minutes walk from the Hiroshima Bus Center
Admission Fee: Advanced 500 yen At the door 600 yen
🔸Admission fee for preschool children is free of charge.
🔸Advance tickets are available through Lawson Ticket system either online (Law chike) or at the store (Loppi) by February 20.
🔸You can purchase door tickets until the tickets are sold out.
Inquiries: TSS Event office Tel. 082-253-1010 (Monday to Friday, 10 am – 5:30 pm)
URL: https://www.tss-tv.co.jp/tss_event/oimo2026/
２．20 or older? Join the National Pension Plan
As a general rule, everyone living in Japan aged 20 to 59 must enroll in the National Pension Scheme (国民年金//Kokumin Nenkin), including students. When you turn aged 20, you will receive an enrollment notification. If you do not receive it even after two weeks have passed since you turned 20, please contact your local ward office. (People who work for a company will be enrolled in Employee Pension Insurance (厚生年金 // Kōsei Nenkin).)
If it is difficult to pay the premium because of reasons such as financial problems, you can apply for a partial or total exemption from premiums. For further information contact the following office.
Inquiries: National Insurance & Pension Division (Hoken Nenkin Ka)
| Ward | Telephone | Hours |
| Naka | 082-504-2556 | Monday to Friday 8:30 am-5:15 pm Closed: National holidays, August 6, Dec. 29-Jan. 3 |
| Higashi | 082-568-7712 | |
| Minami | 082-250-8944 | |
| Nishi | 082-532-0935 | |
| Asaminami | 082-831-4931 | |
| Asakita | 082-819-3910 | |
| Aki | 082-821-4910 | |
| Saeki | 082-943-9713 |
３．You have until March 16 to file your taxes
Income tax (所得税//shotoku zei) and your municipal or prefectural residents taxes (市民税・県民税//shimin zei・kenmin zei) are based on your last year’s income. That means that your final income tax return (確定申告//kakutei-shinkoku) this time will be based on your income for the 2025 calendar year (From January 1 to December 31, 2025). This will then be used to determine your municipal or prefectural residents tax for the fiscal year 2026 (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027).
1. Deadlines for filing
▨ When filing for income tax (including special income tax for reconstruction), municipal/prefectural residents tax, inheritance tax:
Monday, March 16
▨ When filing for national and local consumption taxes for the self-employed:
Tuesday, March 31
✋ Those who are required to file taxes and are leaving the country, please file your final tax return before leaving Japan.
2. Who needs to file and who does not need to file taxes
For those who wish to use medical expenses, social insurance premiums for income tax deduction purposes, you will need to file a final tax return.
The criteria used to determine who needs to file taxes and who does not is extremely personal. If you are unsure whether or not you need to file a tax return, please contact your tax office to figure out the best course of action for you. The inquiry number can be found below “4. Tax Return Consultation”.
✋ If it is difficult for you to pay, such as in the case of injury or natural disaster, an extension or even reduction may be granted depending on your specific situation, so please contact the municipal tax office of your residential area to inquire.
3. How to make a tax return
(1) Getting the form
🔸 For income tax final returns
➡ National Tax Agency website, or at the local tax offices (税務署//zeimu-sho)
🔸 Municipal/prefectural residents tax returns
➡ The City of Hiroshima’s official website, or the municipal tax office (市税事務所//shizei jimusho) or tax rooms (税務室//zeimu-shitsu).
(2) The documents you will need
The required documents will depend on your specific situation, for more precise advice check the websites or at your local tax office.
⭐You will need your My Number, so please ready one of the following:
① My Number Card
② A copy of a document bearing your My Number, such as a certificate of residence (住民票//jumin-hyō) and a copy of a document proving your identity, such as a residence card (在留カード//zairyū card), driving license, or similar.
(3) Online tax returns using the National Tax Agency’s e-Tax website
You can fill out the tax return online using the e-Tax service (electronic application) on the National Tax Agency website. If you prepare your return by smartphone or PC and then send it in via the e-Tax service, you can file your return from home. Additionally, you could also print out your completed form and mail those documents.
The e-Tax service is available 24/7 during the submission period for returns. It can calculate income amounts automatically, and if you save the data, you can use it as a reference for your next year’s tax return.
For more on the e-Tax service, check the National Tax Agency website (Japanese only).
https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/shiraberu/shinkoku/tokushu/index.htm
⭐You can also download the form and complete it on paper. However, this will require manual calculation of amounts.
(4) Filing municipal and prefectural residents taxes via the City of Hiroshima’s website
As of this year, you can now complete your returns for municipal/prefectural residents taxes digitally or on paper.
🔸When filing digitally
You can now use eLTAX system to do so. Please follow the instructions on eLTAX system with your smartphone or PC. You will need your My Number.
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/zei/1006016/1025578/1019110.html
🔸When filing on paper
Please fill out forms from the City of Hiroshima website or municipal tax office. On the City of Hiroshima website, you can enter income tax amounts for the previous year, and fill out the form. Then you can print this and submit it.
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/zei/1006016/1025583/1019079.html
4. Tax Return Consultation, Where to File
Final Tax Return
Usually, taxes should be filed at your district taxation office, however, those living in Hiroshima-higashi, Hiroshima-nishi, Hiroshima-minami, and Hiroshima-kita districts, Hatsukaichi city, and the Kaita area, should instead file documents at the combined submission venue between February 16 and March 16.
✋For those living in area where Hatsukaichi and Kaita taxation offices are responsible for, documents can also be submitted to their district taxation office.
⭐You can check your local tax office on the National Tax Agency website.
https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/hiroshima/location/hiroshima.htm
【Combined Submission Venue】
Venue：Moto-machi Cred “NTT Cred Hall” (Pacela 11F, 6-78 Moto-machi, Naka-ku)
Open：Monday, February 16 to Monday, March 16, 2026
Document Submission：8:30 am – 4 pm
Consultation：9 am – 5 pm
Closures: Saturdays, Sundays, and February 23 (national holiday)
🔸This service is additionally available on Sunday, March 1, exclusively for those under the jurisdiction of Hiroshima-higashi, Hiroshima-nishi, Hiroshima-minami, and Hiroshima-kita taxation offices.
🔸You can also get help with smartphone submissions here.
⭐ To enter the venue you will need an “Entry Ticket”
To avoid crowding, the venue has a ticket system in place. The tickets will be handed out on the day at the venue. Additionally, you can use the LINE application to get a ticket issued online beforehand. For more information see the National Tax Agency website, or call your local tax office:
https://www.nta.go.jp/index.htm
✋You may be asked to come back another day if the venue is particularly crowded.
Things to bring：
🔹Those with a My Number Card
Please bring your My Number Card (hard, plastic card).
You will need the following 2 type passwords created alongside your card.
① User Identification Digital Certificate (4-digit number)
② Digital Signature (6-16 digit alphanumeric)
🔹Those without a My Number Card, please bring a copy of a document bearing your My Number, such as a certificate of residence (住民票//jumin-hyō), and a copy of a document proving your identity, such as a residence card (在留カード// zairyū card), driving license, or similar.
Inquiries：National Tax Agency’s local office (Zeimu-sho)
| Office | Telephone | Office | Telephone |
| Hiroshima Higashi | 082-227-1155 | Hatsukaichi | 0829-32-1217 |
| Hiroshima Minami | 082-253-3281 | Kaita | 082-823-2131 |
| Hiroshima Nishi | 082-234-3110 | Yoshida | 0826-42-0008 |
| Hiroshima Kita | 082-814-2111 |
Municipal/Prefectural Residents Tax Returns
🔹If you file a tax return on paper
Please submit your return by mail to the tax office of your local ward.
*You cannot send this by email.
*The municipal tax offices are in the ward office building.
*The offices are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national/public holidays.
🔹Tax Return Consultation is held at each ward office and some community centers.
Please confirm venues and timings on the City of Hiroshima website.
Inquiries：
Municipal Tax Offices (Shizei Jimusho)
| Municipal Tax Offices | Ward Jurisdiction | Telephone |
| Chūō (Naka Ward Office) | Naka | 082-504-2564 |
| Minami | 082-504-2751 | |
| Tōbu (Higashi Ward Office) | Higashi | 082-568-7719 |
| Aki | ||
| Seibu (Nishi Ward Office) | Nishi | 082-532-0942 |
| Saeki | 082-532-1012 | |
| Hokubu (Asaminami Ward Office) | Asaminami | 082-831-4935 |
| Asakita | 082-831-5016 |
Municipal Tax Room (Zeimu-shitsu)
| Tax Office | Telephone |
| Minami (Minami Ward Office) | 082-250-8946 |
| Aki (Aki Ward Office） | 082-821-4913 |
| Saeki (Saeki Ward Office) | 082-943-9716 |
| Asakita (Asakita Ward Office） | 082-819-3913 |
４．Provisional child-rearing benefit to combat rising costs
The effects of increased prices are long lasting. In order to support households with children that are particularly impacted by the increase in financial burden due to rising cost of living, the City of Hiroshima will provide financial aid for the households that meet criteria.
Allowance
20,000 yen per child from birth to high school age (under the age of 18)
| Eligibility (Those who fall under one of the following categories） | Payment Schedule | How to apply |
| ① Beneficiaries of the September 2025 child allowance (児童手当 // jidō teate) *For those children born in September 2025, beneficiaries of the October 2025 child allowance |
Starting from mid-February |
No application needed. Beneficiaries will be notified. |
| ② Beneficiaries of child allowance for children born between October 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026 |
Starting from mid-February |
No application needed. Beneficiaries will be notified. |
| ③ Those who used to be spouses of beneficiaries of ①, and due to divorce or other means newly became or will become beneficiaries of child allowance between October 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026 *Excluding those who are already receiving this beneficiary from those under ①. |
Starting from mid-March |
Application needed. Details will be available on the City of Hiroshima website once they are confirmed. |
Inquiries: Call Center forProvisional Child-Rearing Benefit to Combat Rising Costs (物価高対応子育て応援手当コールセンター // Bukka daka taiō kosodate ōen teate call santā)
Tel. 082-563-6753
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm
(Excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public/national holidays)
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/kosodate/1021253/1025912/1046293.html
５．Secondary applications beginning on March 9
Although the application period for City-owned parking spaces for bicycles and motorcycles ended on February 4, secondary applications for parking spaces that have not reached capacity will begin on March 9.
Who can apply?
Those who will consistently use a parking space between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.
If you already have a parking space and want to renew your registration, you must reapply.
Fee
Bicycles: 18,000 yen per year (15,600 yen per year for some parking spaces)
Motorbikes (jidō nirinsha) and motorized bicycles(gendōkitsuki jitensha, also known as gentsuki):
30,000 yen per year (27,600 yen per year for some parking spaces)
▨ The fee can be split into two payments throughout the year.
▨ If you have one of the following, fees will be reduced by 50%:
– Physical Disability Certificate (Shintai shōgaisha techō)
– Special Needs Certificate (Ryōiku techō)
– Mental Disability Certificate (Seishin shōgaisha hoken fukushi techō)
How to apply
Please fill in the necessary information on the application form and submit it to the parking lot you wish to use or send an online application form to the relevant service corporation listed below.
Application forms are available at manned parking lots and the Maintenance and Management Division (Iji Kanri Ka) of each ward office. You can also download the application form from the website (Japanese only) listed below:
◍ Application for City-owned parking lots other than the Chūō Parking Lot (Moto-machi):
Hiroshima Prefectural Building Maintenance Cooperative website (Japanese)
https://www.hbmc.or.jp/churin/
◍ Application for the Chūō Parking Lot (Moto-machi):
Amano Management Service Corporation website (Japanese)
https://hiroshima-park.com
Inquiries:
▪ Hiroshima Prefectural Building Maintenance Cooperative (Hiroshima-ken Biru Mentenansu Kyōdo Kumiai)
Tel. 082-242-7330
▪ Amano Management Service Corporation
Tel. 082-227-2110 Note: Only for the Chūō Parking Lot (Moto-machi)
６．Holiday trash collection schedule in February and March 2026
○・・・Garbage is collected ✖・・・Garbage is NOT collected
| National/Public Holiday | Burnable Trash/ Plastic Bottles/ Recyclable Plastics in your local ward |
Recyclable & Harmful Waste/ Non-burnable/Other in your local ward |
| February 11 (Wednesday) (National Foundation Day) |
✖ | ○ |
| February 23 (Monday) (Holiday for Emperor’s Birthday) |
✖ | ○ |
| March 20 (Friday) (Vernal Equinox Day) |
✖ | ○ |
🖐For more information about waste disposal guidelines, please visit the City of Hiroshima’s official website:
The City of Hiroshima’s official website (Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/kateigomi/363649.html
Inquiries: City Office Environmental Bureau, Operation Division I (Kankyō Kyoku Gyōmu Dai-ichi Ka)
Tel. 082-504-2220
