Daily life
在留カード / Zairyū card
zai-ryoo KAA-do
Your residence card, issued at the airport on arrival for medium and long-term stays. You must carry it at all times — police can and do ask.
住民登録 / Jūmin tōroku
joo-min TOH-roku
Ward registration, required within fourteen days. Yokohama has eighteen wards — the most of any Japanese city — and it must be the right one.
マイナンバー / My Number
mai-NAN-baa
Your individual number for tax and social security, issued after ward registration. Now doubles as your health insurance card.
定期券 / Teikiken
TAY-ki-ken
A commuter season pass on a fixed route. Employers reimburse it as standard, and in a commuter city this is a substantial part of your package.
礼金 / Reikin
RAY-kin
'Key money' — a non-refundable gift to the landlord. Yokohama is cheaper than Tokyo overall but not on this.
住民税 / Jūminzei
joo-min-ZAY
Residence tax, calculated on last year's income and billed the following June. Paid to Yokohama City and Kanagawa Prefecture, not to Tokyo.
坂 / Saka
SA-ka
Hill. Yokohama is built on them, and a flat listed as eight minutes from a station may mean eight minutes uphill.
Culture
中華街 / Chūkagai
choo-ka-GAI
Chinatown — the largest in Japan, and a working neighbourhood rather than a themed street. Established after the port opened in 1859.
みなとみらい / Minato Mirai
mi-na-to mi-RAI
'Harbour of the future' — the waterfront district built on former shipyards, now the city's business and landmark centre.
Social
浜っ子 / Hamakko
ha-MAK-ko
'Child of the harbour' — what people born in Yokohama call themselves, with a distinct pride in not being from Tokyo.
Emergency
110 / 119
—
110 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Both free from any phone.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.