Informational Newsletter for English-Speaking Residents “Hiroshima NOW” March 2026 (English No. 47)
Informational Newsletter for English Speaking Residents
The latest volume of Hiroshima NOW is here! ➡ PDF [4.85MB]
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
1. Seasonal events information
2. Has your child’s school enrollment notification arrived?
3. Digital applications for tax payment certifications
4. Extended ward office hours March 25 – April 1
5. Municipal housing applications
6. From April, non-combustible garbage disposal regulations are changing
7. Holiday trash collection on March 20
1. Seasonal events information
Heiwa Ōdōri Art Festival *Heiwa Ōdōri is Hiroshima Peace Boulevard
😊 Exhibiting art works created by the faculty members and students of Hiroshima City University and municipal high school students in Hiroshima City.
Date: Saturday, February 28 – Sunday, March 22
Venues: Peace Boulevard (tree lawns in front of NHK and Crystal Plaza), Yebiden Gallery (8-8 Naka-machi, Naka-ku), former Bank of Japan Hiroshima branch building (5-16 Fukuro-machi, Naka-ku)
Access: Former Bank of Japan Hiroshima branch building is located near Fukuro-machi streetcar stop
Fee: Free
🌀Special Art Event
Date & Time: Saturday, March 14 10 am-3 pm
Venue: Tree lawn area in front of Hiroshima Crystal Plaza building (8-18 Naka-machi, Naka-ku)
Program: Coloring workshop, music concert, etc.
For more information, please check the City’s official website:
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/tourism-culture/tourism/1021448/1006056/1033080/1036743/1036745/1047519.html
Bonsai Exhibition at Shukkei-en Garden
Date: Saturday, February 28 – Sunday, March 8
Hours: 9 pm-5 pm
Venue: Shukkei-en Garden (2-11 Kami-nobori-cho, Naka-ku)
Access: 5 minutes walk from Shukkei-en mae streetcar stop (Hakushima Line)
Admission fee for the garden
【Admission fee】
Adults：350 yen
College students：150 yen
High school students and younger：Free
Over 65：Free *Documents that proves your age required.
Inquires: Shukkei-en Garden Tel. 082-221-3620 URL: https://shukkeien.jp
Hiroshima Doman-naka Festival
😊 Enjoy Hiroshima’s local specialties and traditional performing arts
Date: Saturday March 7 and Sunday, March 8
Venue: Hiroshima Gate Park Plaza
Access: ① 1 minute walk from Gembaku Dome mae streetcar stop
② 5 minutes walk from Hiroshima Bus Center
Inquiries: Hiroshima Doman-naka Festival official Instagram @hiroshima_domannaka
Hiroshima Minato Festa
😊 Food stalls, BMX demonstration and trial, and various interesting events will be even held on the sea. You can participate in the lottery; have a chance to win a prize including Hiroshima Prince Hotel stay voucher or meal ticket. At the Ninoshima Island venue also you can enjoy interesting events like Kagura stage performance, experiencing Baumukuhen (German-style cake) baking.
Date: March 14 (Saturday) and 15 (Sunday)
Hours: 10 am-4 pm
Venue: Hiroshima Minato Park, its surrounding and Ninoshima Island
Access: ① Hiroshima Minato Park
⇒ Hiroshima Kō (Hiroshima Port), the last stop of Ujina Line
② Ninoshima Island
⇒ Take a ferry from Hiroshima Port, it’s 20 minutes ride to Ninoshima
Inquiries: Hiroshima Minato Festa Organization Committee Tel. 082-250-8935
c/o Community Revitalization Division (Chiiki Suishin Ka) of Minami Ward Office
Mozu Miniature Exhibition “Welcome to a small world”
😊 Mozu is a Japanese miniature artist. Mozu art works available through the Mozu official Instagram @mozu_world.
Date: Wednesday, March 18 – Tuesday, April 21
Hours: 10 am-7:30 pm (Please enter by 7 pm.)
*On the last day, April 21, it will close at 4 pm, so please enter by 3:30 pm.
Venue: 9th floor of the Sogo Hiroshima store
Access: ① Hiroshima Bus Center stop
② Near Kamiya-cho Nishi streetcar stop
Tickets:
【Advance】
Adults (age 16 and older) 1,200 yen
Elementary/Junior high school students 600 yen
【At the door】
Adults (age 16 and older) 1,400 yen
Elementary/Junior high school students 800 yen
Visitors with a disability certificate 700 yen
🔸Free admission for preschool children *Children must be accompanied by guardians.
【Ticket office】
Lawson Ticket, Ticket PIA, Seven Ticket, e+, Edion Hiroshima Main Store (9th Floor)
⭐ You can purchase a ticket at the door.
Inquiries: HOME Event Center Tel. 082-221-7116 (10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday)
URL: https://mozu-miniature.com/
Momo (Peach blossom) Viewing Tea Ceremony
Date & Time: March 29 (Sunday), 10 am-3 pm (Reception closed)
Venue: Shukkeien Garden (2-11 Kami-nobori-cho, Naka-ku)
Access: 3 minutes walk from Shukkeien-mae streetcar stop (Hakushima Line)
Fee: 1,300 yen (Tea ceremony)
🔸Admission fee for the garden is required separately.
【Admission fee】
Adults 350 yen
College students 150 yen
High school students and younger Free
Over 65 Free
*Documents that proves your age required.
Inquires：Shukkei-en Garden Tel. 082-221-3620 URL: https://shukkeien.jp/
2. Has your child’s school enrollment notification arrived?
At the end of January 2026, the City sent school enrollment notifications (入学通知書 nyūgaku tsūchi-sho) to parents and guardians of children who will begin elementary or junior high school this April.
The notification tells you which school your child will attend and when. Keep it in a safe place and submit it to your child’s designated school on April 1 (enrollment day, not entrance ceremony day).
🖐 If you have not received your notification or have lost it, please contact theSchool Affairs Division of the Municipal Board of Education (Tel. 082-504-2469).
If you have moved
◍ If you have moved to a different place in Hiroshima City
🔸If you register your change of address no later than March 13 (Friday), the City will send a school enrollment notification to your new address.
🔸If you register on or after March 16 (Monday), you must go to the Citizens’ Affairs Division (Shimin Ka) of your local ward office or branch office to receive your notification.
◍ If you have moved outside Hiroshima City
Please notify the school stated in your school enrollment notification that your child cannot attend their school from April because you will move. Contact the board of education for your new neighborhood about how to enroll your child in a school.
Enrolling your child in a national, prefectural, or private school
You will need a letter of acceptance (入学承諾書 nyūgaku shōdaku-sho) issued by the school your child will attend. Submit this and the enrollment notification (入学通知書 nyūgaku tsūchi-sho) to the School Affairs Division of the Municipal Board of Education(see below) or the Citizens’ Affairs Division (Shimin Ka) of your ward or branch office. You can also submit these to the elementary school written on the enrollment notification, or to your child’s current elementary school.
Children with disabilities
If your child has special educational needs due to disability, please consult with one of the following:
✣ Counseling Center for Youth (Seishōnen Sōgō Sōdan Sentā)
Address: 1-4-15 Kokutaiji-mach, Naka-ku Tel. 082-504-2197 // Fax 082-504-2142
Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am-5 pm
✣ Counseling Center for Youth (Branch Office)(Seishōnen Sōgō Sōdan Sentā Bunshitsu)
Address: 2-15-55 Hikari-machi, Higashi-ku Tel. 082-264-0422 // Fax 082-264-0436
Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am-5pm
Changing schools
If you have a valid reason why your child cannot attend their designated school (e.g., your family is moving within Hiroshima City after April), please consult the School Affairs Division of the Municipal Board of Education (Tel 082-504-2975).
Financial assistance for schooling
The City can provide financial assistance for schooling, such as for the cost of school supplies, school lunch, school excursions, etc. In order to receive this assistance, there are certain criteria you must fulfil and there is an income cap. For more information, including requirements, please consult the School Affairs Division of the Municipal Board of Education or the school where your child attends.
Who can apply for this financial assistance?
➀ Parents and guardians of children who are in a municipal elementary school, junior high school, secondary school (former curriculum), or school for special needs education (elementary and junior high school departments) in Hiroshima City
➁ Parents and guardians who reside in Hiroshima City and their children attend a municipal elementary school, junior high school, or secondary school (former curriculum) outside of Hiroshima city
③ Parents and guardians who reside in Hiroshima City and their children attend a national, prefectural or private elementary school, junior high school, or secondary school (former curriculum)
🖐 The category of financial assistance that parents and guardians can receive depends on the following conditions. For further information, please consult your child’s school.
Conditions:
◍ Whether you are receiving public welfare (seikatsu hogo)
◍ Whether your child is in a school for special needs education
◍ Whether you fall under category ➀ and live in outside of Hiroshima City
◍ Whether you fall under category ➁ or ③
Inquiries:
🔸Municipal schools
🔸School Affairs Division, Municipal Board of Education (Kyōiku Iinkai Gakuji Ka)
Tel. 082-504-2469 Fax 082-504-2328
3. Digital applications for tax payment certifications
It is now possible to apply for your tax payment certification (which proves you have paid municipal/prefectural residents tax) by smartphone or online. You can also use digital payment methods to cover the certificate handling and postage fees. The whole process is available without having to visit your ward office. Once the necessary fees are paid, the certificate will be despatched from the City of Hiroshima in around one week.
Necessary Fees
Certification Fee: 350 yen per copy
Postage Fee: 110 yen（If the package is below 50g）
Note:
🔹If the package weight exceeds 50g the postage fee will increase. The fee will be whatever cost matches the weight of the package.
🔹Besides basic rate the following fees will be required for express delivery and registered delivery respectively, if you need them.
Express delivery: 300 yen Registered mail: 350 yen
Payment Method
You can pay by credit card or by various smartphone carrier payment applications (PayPay, auPAY, docomo’s d payment (d-Barai), Rakuten Pay).
What you need when applying (when applying as an individual)
・Smartphone (that can read your My Number Card) or a PC with an IC card reader
・My Number Card, and a password (more than 6 alphanumeric characters) for digital signature certification
Who can apply online
You may only apply for your own documents.
Things to be aware of when applying online
No receipts will be issued.
For more information on the process, please visit the Hiroshima City’s official website (Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/onlineservice/1032310.html
Inquiries:
Municipal Tax Office (Shizei Jimusho) for your area
| Jurisdiction | Municipal Tax office | Tel |
| Naka & Minami | Chuo Shizei Jimusho Central Municipal Tax Office (Naka Ward Office) |
082-504-2558 |
| Higashi & Aki | Tobu Shizei Jimusho Eastern Municipal Tax Office (Higashi Ward Office) |
082-568-7715 |
| Nishi & Saeki | Seibu Shizei Jimusho Western Municipal Tax Office (Nishi Ward Office) |
082-532-0937 |
| Asaminami & Asakita | Hokubu Shizei Jimusho Northern Municipal Tax Office (Asaminami Ward Office) |
082-831-4932 |
Tax Room (Zeimu Shitsu)
| Tax Room | Tel | Tax Room | Tel |
| Minami (Minami Ward Office) |
082-250-8946 | Saeki (Saeki Ward Office) |
082-943-9716 |
| Aki (Aki Ward Office) |
082-821-4913 | Asakita (Asakita Ward Office) |
082-819-3913 |
4. Extended ward office hours March 25 – April 1
From late March to early April, ward offices experience a high volume of customers since this period is when many people move in and out of the city. Thus, during this busy season, ward offices extend their weekday opening hours and add weekend hours for those submitting certain types of paperwork related to moving matters. (Note: regular hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm)
Inquiries: Ward Administrative Division (Kusei Ka) Tel. 082-504-2112
Extended opening hours
| Dates | March | April | ||||||
| Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | |
| Hours | 8:30 am-7 pm | 8:30 am-noon | 8:30 am-7 pm | |||||
😊 Only the Citizens Affairs Division (Shimin Ka) and the National Insurance and Pension Division (Hoken Nenkin Ka) of ward offices will have their hours extended. Please note that branch offices will not extend their hours.
Notes:
▨ The ward offices only handle paperwork related to moving matters during the extended opening hours period. If you need services beside listed table below, please visit during regular hours (weekdays from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm).
▨ Depending on the situation, you may not be able to complete all your paperwork in one day.
Procedures related to moving matters
🗹 Registration of Change in Certificate of Residence (jūmin hyō no idō-todoke)
🗹 Registration changes in Personal Seal Registration (inkan tōroku)
🗹 Registration changes in My Number Card (12-digit individual number)
Where to submit: Citizens Affairs Division (Shimin Ka)
Tel.
Nala 082-504-2551
Higashi 082-568-7708
Minami 082-250-8938
Nishi 082-532-0930
Asaminami 082-831-4928
Asakita 082-819-3907
Aki 082-821-4908
Saeki 082-943-9709
Services available during extended hours
Forms
🗹 Registration of Change in Eligibility for National Health Insurance (kokumin kenkō hoken no shikaku idō todoke)
🗹 Change of Address for National Pension (kokumin nenkin no jūsho henkō todoke)
Where to submit: National Insurance and Pension Division (Hoken Nenkin Ka)
Tel.
Nala 082-504-2555
Higashi 082-568-7711
Minami 082-250-8941
Nishi 082-532-0933
Asaminami 082-831-4929
Asakita 082-819-3909
Aki 082-821-4910
Saeki 082-943-9712
Forms
🗹 Application for Child Allowance (jidō teate no nintei seikyūsho)
🗹 Forms related to children’s medical subsidies (applications, changes in eligibility, etc.) (kodomo iryōhi jukyūsha shikaku nintei shinsei/henkō todoke nado)
Where to submit: Welfare Division (Fukushi Ka)
💡Temporary desk for the Welfare Division will be set up in Citizens Affairs Division of each ward office after 5:15 pm on weekdays between March 25 and April 1, as well as from 8:30 am to noon on March 28 (Saturday) and 29 (Sunday).
Tel.
Nala 082-504-2569
Higashi 082-568-7733
Minami 082-250-4131
Nishi 082-294-6342
Asaminami 082-831-4945
Asakita 082-819-0605
Aki 082-821-2813
Saeki 082-943-9732
Notes:
▨ For more information regarding the documents you will need to submit with each form, please contact the most relevant division using the table above.
▨ Bring ID (e.g. Residence Card (zairyū card), driver’s license, passport, or My Number Card if you have one)
My Number Card
⭐ If you use the Myna Portal (the government-run online administrative window) to submit a notification that you are moving out (転出届 tenshutsu todoke), it is passed on to the relevant office in local authority where you have resided in. Therefore, those who submit their notice of moving out online do not need to visit their local authority.
Additionally, you can also make an online appointment with the local authority for that new address to submit a Moving-In Notification (転入届 tennyū todoke). Please note that you will still need to go through moving in procedures at the relevant office in your new municipality.
⭐ Those who use their My Number Card when using the Convenience Store Issuance Service to get their certificates can save 100 yen, less than the cost at the ward office. Please do utilize this service if you have a My Number Card.ence Store Issuance Service to get their certificates can save 100 yen, less than the cost at the ward office. Please do utilize this service if you have a My Number Card.
5. Municipal housing applications
Municipal housing is available for residents who are registered with the city, currently living within city limits, and meet the requirements, including the number of family members, as well as income limit. Application periods happen four times a year (in February, May, August and November).
◍ For more information, including eligibility and application procedures, please contact the relevant office, or check the application guideline packet. You can see the application guideline through the City’s official website:
Official City of Hiroshima website (in Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/jyuutaku/6265.html
◍ For information regarding the types of housing available, please refer to housing applications or the city website. You can check the location using the Hiroshima City Municipal Housing Map feature.
Municipal Housing Page (Japanese only)
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/jyuutaku/6265.html
Municipal Housing Map (Japanese only)
https://www.midori-gr.com/hiroshima-shiei/info/map.html
◍ For individuals who wish to apply for housing outside of the designated submission schedule, applications will be accepted once there are openings. For more information, please inquire the Architecture Division of the ward office where the housing you want to apply for is located in, and check the City’s official website (Japanese):
Official City of Hiroshima website (in Japanese)
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/jyuutaku/6267.html
Inquires:
Please contact the Architecture Division (Kenchiku Ka) of your nearest ward office with any questions or concerns.
| Ward | Telephone | Ward | Telephone |
| Naka | 082-504-2578 | Asaminami | 082-831-4954 |
| Higashi | 082-568-7744 | Asakita | 082-819-3937 |
| Minami | 082-250-8959 | Aki | 082-821-4928 |
| Nishi | 082-532-0949 | Saeki | 082-943-9744 |
6. From April, non-combustible garbage disposal regulations are changing
From April 2026, you will be required to change how you dispose your non-combustible waste. To protect against fires in trash collection areas and facilities, we ask for your cooperation.
What to do come April
🔹Please use transparent or translucent, sturdy plastic bags. *Sandbags are not fit for use.
🔹If your non-combustible waste include batteries or portable chargers which can be removed, please remove them and then place them in a separate bag with “有害 (Yugai)” (harmful/hazardous) written on it. Please dispose of batteries as harmful waste instead. Do not dispose of batteries with non-combustible waste.
🔹Please separate electrical appliances from which you cannot remove rechargeable batteries and place them in a separate bag from other non-combustible waste. Please write “危険 (Kiken)” (dangerous) on the bags.
Inquiries: Sanitation office (Kankyō jigyō sho) of the ward in which you live
| Jurisdiction | Tel. | |
| Naka Sanitation Office | Naka Ward | 082-241-0779 |
| Higashi Ward | ||
| Minami Sanitation Office | Minami Ward | 082-286-9790 |
| Nishi Sanitation Office | Nishi Ward | 082-277-6404 |
| Asaminami Sanitation Office | Asaminami Ward | 082-848-3320 |
| Asakita Sanitation Office | Asakita Ward | 082-814-7884 |
| Aki Sanitation Office | Aki Ward | 082-884-0322 |
| Saeki Sanitation Office | Saeki Ward | 082-922-9211 |
7. Holiday trash collection on March 20
March 20 (Fri) is a national holiday, so waste collection will be conducted as follows:
○・・・Garbage collected ✖・・・Garbage is NOT collected
| National Holiday | Burnable Trash Plastic Bottles Recyclable Plastics in your local ward |
Recyclable & Harmful Waste Non-combustible Other in your local ward |
| March 20 (Fri) Vernal equinox day |
✖ | ○ |
Inquiries: City Office Environmental Bureau, Operation Division I (Kankyō Kyoku Gyōmu Dai-ichi Ka)
Tel. 082-504-2220
