Japanese Family Tree Research Service
Roots Lab — ルーツラボ
Your Japanese ancestors’ story
is fading with every passing year.
When did your family leave Japan?
What village did your great-grandparents call home?
For many Nikkei, these questions go unanswered —
because the people who knew are no longer here.
We trace Japan’s official family records to bring
your heritage back to life.
We reply within 24 hours · Consultation is free
Japan’s family records are disappearing.
Japan has maintained detailed family registers — called koseki (戸籍) — since 1872, documenting births, marriages, deaths, and addresses for every Japanese family. These records are the key to tracing your ancestry.
However, the legal preservation period for koseki is 150 years. Records from the Meiji era — when many Nikkei families emigrated — began reaching their expiration in 2022 and are being permanently deleted across Japan.
Every year we wait, fewer records survive.
Your great-grandparents’ names. The village they left behind. The family they never saw again. Now is the time to find out — before the records are gone forever.
Why this cannot wait
The people who knew are gone
With each generation, the living connection to Japan grows thinner. Your grandparents or great-grandparents may no longer be here to share their stories.
“I wanted to ask my grandmother, but it was too late.”
“I didn’t know my grandfather’s hometown until I found the records.”
Memories fade with time — but Japan’s official records can fill the gaps.
Japan’s records are being permanently destroyed
Koseki records from the Meiji era are being permanently deleted across Japan. Every year we wait, fewer records survive. The window is closing.
Your children will inherit your silence
If you don’t uncover this history now, your children and grandchildren never will. Your family’s story doesn’t have to end with what you don’t know.
Why families choose us
Transparent, all-inclusive pricing
No hidden fees. The price you see includes all koseki retrieval costs, research, and document preparation. You will never be charged extra.
Premium digital deliverables
Your completed family tree is delivered as a high-resolution PDF download. No shipping, no customs, no delays.
Fully remote — from anywhere in the world
You never need to visit Japan. We handle everything: navigating Japanese government offices, reading old-script documents, and communicating with local authorities on your behalf.
Service plans
A “lineage” refers to one family surname line. 1 lineage = your father’s family line only. 4 lineages = all four grandparents’ family lines researched separately. All prices are in USD and include digital delivery.
| Plan | Coverage | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Lineage | One family line traced to the Meiji era | $650 |
| 2 Lineages | Father’s and mother’s lines researched | $1,200 |
| 4 Lineages | All four grandparents’ lines — complete research | $2,400 |
| Full Family | Extended research to great-grandparents and beyond | $4,000 Premium |
✕ All prices include koseki retrieval fees, document reading, and digital delivery. No additional charges.
✕ Payment accepted via credit/debit card (Stripe) or international bank transfer (Wise).
✕ Installment plans available — please ask during consultation.
How it works
Free consultation
Contact us via our form. Share what you know — or don’t know — about your Japanese family. We’ll explain what’s possible and provide a quote at no charge.
Submit a power of attorney
After confirming your order, we’ll send you a simple form that authorizes us to request your family’s koseki records from Japanese government offices. We guide you through every step.
Research & family tree creation
We contact municipalities across Japan, retrieve the relevant koseki records, decode old-script documents, and compile your family history. Estimated time: 4–8 weeks.
Digital delivery
Your completed family tree is delivered as a high-resolution PDF via a secure download link (valid for 30 days). No shipping costs, no customs duties — anywhere in the world.
Who this is for
Nikkei seeking their roots
- 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation Japanese Americans
- Want to know what village your family came from
- Preparing family history for future generations
- Reconnecting with Japanese identity and heritage
As a gift for someone special
- A gift your parents or grandparents will treasure forever
- For milestone birthdays or family reunions
- Share the cost among siblings or cousins
- The gift that answers questions money can’t buy
Frequently asked questions
Ready to find your roots?
“I don’t know where to start.”
That’s exactly when to reach out.
Tell us what you know — or what you don’t.
We’ll take it from there.
The records exist today.
They may not exist tomorrow.
We respond within 3 business days · Consultation and estimates are completely free
No sales pressure. No obligation.