Below you will find a list of questions we often receive. If you don't see your question listed, or if you need a more in-depth answer, please feel free to send us an email or give us a call! If you're looking for FAQ related to traveling, working, or studying in Japan, please see our Japan Guide pages.
The Embassy of Japan is unable to arrange White House tours for the general public. Alternatively, the White House Visitor Center is accessible to the general public without a reservation. The address for the center is 1425 Pennsylvania Ave NW. It is open from 7:30AM to 4:00PM daily, except on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Further information is available on the Center's website.
ホワイトハウスホームページにて、外国籍（米国国籍以外）の方で、ホワイトハウスの見学を希望する場合は、ワシントンに所在する自国の大使館へ問い合わせるよう案内されておりますが、当館ではホワイトハウスの見学の申請を受け付けておりません。一方、ホワイトハウスへの見学ツアーとは異なりますが、ホワイトハウスビジターセンターは、予約なしで入館することができます。センターの住所は1425 Pennsylvania Ave NWです。センターは、元日、感謝祭、クリスマスの祝日以外の毎日午前7時30分から午後4時00分まで開館しています。詳しくはセンターのウェブサイトをご参照ください。
Unfortunately, the Embassy does not offer any Japanese classes. However, many organizations in the area do. Please check our Resources in the DMV page.
Although we are not affiliated with them in any way, we've heard good things about the Japan-America Society's program.
The Embassy is fortunate enough to have an authentic Japanese tea house, called Ippakutei, on its grounds. Built in the 1960's in Japan and transported to DC, this tea house commemorates the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the Japan-U.S. Treaty on Amity and Commerce.
Ippakutei and the Old Ambassador's Residence are only open to the public once or twice a year. Outside of those times, we are unable to arrange private viewings. For information on when Ippakutei will be open for viewing, please check the JICC website, or sign up for the JICC events newsletter. Please see our Resources in the DMV for other tea houses in the area that you may be able to visit when Ippakutei is closed.
Unfortunately the Embassy of Japan does not have the resources to help you contact an individual in Japan, nor can we send emails or post on your behalf.
Japanese citizens living in Japan may be located through their family register (koseki), which contains civil records held at the city, ward, or town office where the family has its permanent address. The family register can be released only to the family member or a lawyer practicing in Japan. The Embassy cannot obtain these documents on your behalf. For more information, please check this guide to locating American citizens provided by the Embassy of the United States in Tokyo. For Japanese citizens, you can try to contact the Japan Local Government Center in New York for information and assistance.