Daily Life Lessons · Public Facilities
Be able to look up and join courses and events at local facilities such as kominkan and ward community centers, and when you want to rent a room, check registration, reservations and purposes that are not allowed before applying.
A kominkan (公民館, community learning center) is a facility set up by a municipality where local people can learn and gather. In some areas, there are facilities with other names that play a similar role, such as ward community centers (区民センター), community centers (コミュニティセンター) and civic centers (市民センター).
Kominkan hold courses, lectures, exhibitions and other events, and you may be able to join a Japanese language class or a hobby course. You can check schedules on the facility's notice board or in the local government's newsletter (広報紙) or website.
Groups can rent rooms such as meeting rooms, Japanese-style (tatami) rooms and cooking rooms. A common process is to register your group the first time, apply at the counter or through a reservation system, and pay a usage fee. In general, you cannot use the rooms for profit-making purposes such as selling goods, or for activities that support a particular political party or religion. Who can use the facility, the fees and when you can reserve differ by facility.
公民館（こうみんかん）は、市（し）や 町が 作った、地域（ちいき）の 人が 学（まな）んだり 集（あつ）まったり する ところです。 区民（くみん）センターや コミュニティセンターなど、ちがう 名前の 似（に）た 施設（しせつ）も あります。
- 講座（こうざ）や イベントが あります。 - 日本語教室（にほんごきょうしつ）が ある ところも あります。 - 予定（よてい）は、施設の 掲示（けいじ）や、市の お知らせ・ホームページで わかります。
グループで 部屋を 借（か）りる ことも できます。 1. はじめに 団体（だんたい）の 登録（とうろく）を します。 2. 窓口（まどぐち）や インターネットで 予約（よやく）します。 3. お金を 払（はら）います。
お金を もうける ための 利用や、特定（とくてい）の 政党（せいとう）や 宗教（しゅうきょう）を 応援（おうえん）する 活動には、使えない ことが 多いです。 くわしい ことは、施設に 聞いて ください。
Who mainly sets up kominkan?
The Social Education Act states that kominkan are set up by municipalities (in some cases they are set up by a corporation).
What is a suitable way to find out about kominkan courses and events?
You can check information on courses and events on the facility's notice board or in the local government's newsletter or website.
What is the general process for a group renting a kominkan room for the first time?
A common process is to register as a group the first time, make a reservation and pay a usage fee. Procedures differ by facility.
Which use of a kominkan room is generally not allowed?
Use for profit-making purposes is not allowed at many kominkan.
Which statement about ward community centers and community centers is correct?
Facilities with roles similar to kominkan exist under various names in each area. Check with the facility how to use it.
Q. Can I use a kominkan on my own?
A. In many cases you can join courses and events, rest in the lobby or read the notice board on your own. Some facilities only rent rooms to groups. Check with the facility.
Q. Are there Japanese classes for foreigners?
A. In some areas, volunteers hold Japanese classes at kominkan, international exchange associations (国際交流協会) and similar places. You can check the place and time on the website of the local government or international exchange association, or at the facility's counter.
Q. Can I use it in a wheelchair?
A. Many facilities have elevators and multipurpose restrooms, but older buildings may not have these facilities. It is a good idea to contact the facility before you visit.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original