Translation guide
The primary or central office of an organization, company, or institution. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 本社 (head office of a company), but other terms apply depending on the type of organization (e.g., government, school) or nuance (headquarters, main branch).
The main administrative center of a corporation or business.
The standard term for a company's head office or headquarters. Used for corporations and businesses.
The main office is in Tokyo.
I was transferred to the head office.
Literally 'main store' or 'head store'. Often used for the main branch of a retail chain, bank, or restaurant, but can also refer to the head office of a business, especially in traditional or smaller enterprises.
The main office of this bank is in Osaka.
Headquarters, often used for organizations, associations, political parties, or military. Can also be used for a company's headquarters, but 本社 is more common for businesses.
There is a meeting at the party headquarters.
The central administrative office of a public body, school, or non-corporate entity.
Used for the main office of a government agency, police department, fire department, etc. Implies a central administrative body.
Please contact the main office of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Main school or main campus, used for the principal location of a school with multiple branches.
Main bureau or central office, often used for post offices, broadcasting stations, or government bureaus.
The central command or administrative location for any organization, including military, NGOs, or informal groups.
本社 (honsha) is the default for a company's head office. 本店 (honten) often refers to the main store or branch of a retail business, but can also mean head office in some contexts. 本部 (honbu) is more general and used for organizations, clubs, or military headquarters. For a typical business, stick with 本社.
The phrase 'main office' directly translated as メインオフィス is not natural Japanese. Use the appropriate term based on the organization type.
本校は駅から近いです。
The main school is close to the station.
郵便局の本局は市の中心にあります。
The main post office is in the city center.
司令部は前線の後方にあります。
The command headquarters is behind the front line.