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The first thing you learn about trying to find the Yokohama branch on the immigration bureau is that there aren’t any maps online of where it is. If you grab the large image of the station map above I’ve marked it on there for you.

The official address is:

Yokohama Regional Immigration Office
37-9 Yamashita-cho
Naka-ku, Yokohama
Tel. 045-661-5110

Open Monday through Friday, 9:00-12:00, 1:00-4:00

Note: The telephone number above requires you to speak Japanese. The English immigration information number is 03-5796-7112. They aren’t able to really answer your questions in English though preferring to read a scripted response out to you. Of course the response may not actually relate to your question.....

Most of the official online instructions will advise you to catch the Negishi line and to get off at Ishikawachō Station. Then to walk 20 minutes to the office. This is because the instructions online are months out of date. It’s much better to catch the Minato-Mirai line and get off at Motomachi Chukagai station and to go out exit 3.

Once parking was available - but the whole building is under construction and renovation and the old parking area has been totally blocked off. If you drive there is parking on the main road - around the corner for about ¥200 per half an hour (max of ¥1,200).

You can only enter the building on the side street not the main. There is a temporary “tunnel” from the side street to the front door.

If you eventually make it in the building the immigration section is on the 5th floor.

Tactics for submitting a form

When you get there you will find pandemonium regardless of the day or time. If you are submitting your visa application/extension form the best thing to do is immediately go and grab a number. Then if you need to check in with information. Last time we went we waited about 4 hours just to submit the form. There are rarely more than two people accepting forms behind that counter. And the place is always packed to the brim.

They don’t care if you are 8 months pregnant or have small babies btw. Expect to wait in overheated conditions for as long as everyone else. If you are 8 months pregnant you might want to wear a mask because there is nothing like being wiped out by influenza after spending 4 hours overheating in a cramped area with too many people.

Getting your new visa/extension

Previously you could get a stamp in the same building - but now this has moved a couple of blocks over. The post office is located on Minami-dori St. - kinda. On the map above you can see it marked with an envelope icon.

The building above is a good landmark because it’s so gaudy. You will possibly barely notice the post office sign across from it. This is because the actual entrance to the Post Office is on the side street.

Only about 4 customers can fit into the post office at one time. You can purchase the stamp at the Mail counter - not the counters that handle all the money usually (as would be expected). It will tell you on the magic acceptance postcard what kind of stamp you need to buy - but they also have a sign up in the immigration office in English - so check that before you leave after submitting your form.

Although everything is in the one room at the Yokohama office signage is not clear. You need to go to counter 3. It will say in English “Re-entry Permissions”. What they actually mean is that this is the counter for both re-entry permits and to get a visa/extension stamped into your passport.

The people here seem to be nicer than the ones right at the next counter where you submit the forms. It’s a mystery why.

They will give you a form to affix the stamp you just bought at the Post Office too, and a number. You then need to wait and give the person your passport, gaijin card and the form with the stamp. Then you wait again while they stick the actual visa stamp in.

Then you are freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

• Anyway, it’s better than the Tokyo Immigration Bureau in the middle of nowhere. At least, Yokohama Immigration Bureau is in the cente of Yokohama, near Yamashita Park for a nice walk, and near Chinatown for a good lunch.

  Fernand
  08/03/15 10:03 PM

• Residents of Kanagawa can also use the Kawasaki branch office.  It’s about five minutes from Shinyurigaoka Station on the Odakkyu line.  There’re usually no more than four or five customers.  The staff may not speak English (I don’t know) but they’re always pleasant.

  David
  Location: Chigasaki
  08/03/17 04:11 PM

• I also use the Kawasaki sub-office.  Always empty - usually in & out within the hour.
  At the Yokohama office, you can also buy stamps at the convenience store round the corner (same block as Immi Office but the other side) - think it was a FamilyMart (or Lawson - one of the green/blue conbini not a red/orange/yellow one...)
  Think the conbini is a bit closer than the PO...could be wrong though.

  MissSin
  Location: Kawasaki
  08/04/03 12:23 PM