IMMIGRATION OFFICE DIRECTIONS

Kumamoto City

096 362 1721

Here are the directions to the Kumamoto City Immigration Office (called nyu koku kanri jimusho in Japanese) where all the fun Re entry permit business takes place. Keep in mind that if you are lost, few Japanese people will know where this office is, as they will likely never visit it! Therefore don’t get frustrated if people don’t seem to be able to give you directions! If you get really lost call us or a cab driver should know where this building is!

BRING: Passport, Foreign Registration Card, \6000 or \3000 depending on which Permit you decide to apply for, and your inkan. (some people have reported actually not needing an inkan, but better safe than sorry!) Your supervisor or someone who speaks Japanese may be handy to bring along, but most people can get by on their own using English.

BY TRAM or BUS (from downtown):

Get on the tram or bus in downtown Kumamoto heading for “Kengun” (buses bound for Kenchou or Suizenji Park will also work). You ride through Torichosuji (Parco Ball) and Suidocho (near Parea where Orientation was), and over the river away from the castle. Get off at the first stop across the bridge – “Denpokyokumae” on the busline and “Kuhonji Kosaten” on the tramline.

Once you get off the tram or bus, you will notice a major intersection in front of you. From the bus stop, walk toward the intersection and turn left. From the tram stop, go to the right from the pedestrian overpass.

After turning off of Densha Dori (streetcar line), the first landmark you will see is an outdoor store called Sherpas on your left. This sign is blue and written in English. This tells you that you are going the right way! Keep walking past the NTT Hospital (on left), a school, and a fire station (on right).

After the fire station, walk a few more blocks to the next large intersection (the road opens up and veers off to the right. There is a tiny park and a blue building on the far corner). At this intersection, turn right and start up the slight hill. The immigration office is on the 4th floor of the large white building on your right. The main entrance is off of the parking lot.

It should be about 15/20 minutes walk from the tram or bus stop to the Immigration office.

DRIVING (from downtown):

On the Densha Dori (streetcar line), drive away from the castle. After passing the Starbucks/Parco on your right and crossing the bridge over the river, turn LEFT at the first large intersection (there is a small stoplight immediately across the bridge, but you want the bigger intersection with the pedestrian crossing and signs for the Kyushu Expressway/Kumamoto IC). Continue straight past the NTT hospital (on left) and the fire station (on right). Get in the right turn lane and turn right at the next large intersection (with signs for the Prefectural Theater). After you make the right turn and start up the small hill, immediately signal and turn into the parking lot of the large white building on your right. The immigration office is on the 4th floor of this building.

AT THE OFFICE: Go to the 4th floor for the Immigration office. Fill out a form (In English) to apply for the permit. We recommend you apply for the Multiple Reentry Permit as it lasts for the remainder of your visa (3 years for new JETs) and costs \6000. If you decide to go for the Single Reentry Permit, it is \3000 and lasts for only one trip out of the country. The person behind the desk will give you another form and take your passport. They will tell you to go and pay for some stamps at a window downstairs on the 2nd floor. After buying the stamps, go back to the initial office, trade the stamps for your newly stamped passport! Check to make sure it says Multiple Reentry Permit before leaving.

TIME FRAME: The whole process should take about 30-45 minutes. It can take longer or shorter depending on the day. The Immigration Office takes applications Monday – Friday from 9:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 16:00.

NOTE: Be sure to get this reentry permit as soon as possible in case you have to return home for some emergency. In such an event the last thing you want to think about is your Reentry Permit, and you will not be allowed back into Japan without a Re entry Permit!

I hope that this helps! Remember that you should get special leave to apply for this permit, but be sure to find out what day is best with your Supervisor before you take off on the journey!

Questions? Call the International Affairs Office or the Prefectural Board of Education