窓口 and 受付: a contact route and the reception function
Compare an advice contact point with receiving visitors at reception. Read the contact route and receiving function, preserving requests and planned start times.
A route for contact or submission
窓口, read まどぐち, means counter or contact point. 申請書は一階の窓口に提出してください。 asks someone to submit the application at the counter on the first floor.
一階 gives the specified counter's location. A submission request is not a completed submission, and this floor does not locate every contact point.
Receive visitors at 受付
受付, read うけつけ, means reception or registration. 入口の受付で名前を書いてください。 asks someone to write their name at reception by the entrance.
The scene identifies the place receiving visitors. One place can be both a contact counter and reception, so the words do not always require different locations.
Contact ability and a planned registration start
困ったときは、地域の相談窓口に連絡できる。 says that someone can contact the local advice service when in difficulty. 窓口 need not be a physical counter with a glass window.
参加申込の受付は明日から始まる。 says that registration for participation begins tomorrow. 受付 denotes the receiving function here, and tomorrow's start is not completed registration.
Must 相談窓口 mean a physical counter with a glass window?
Show the answer and why
No. It can identify a route for advice or contact. Read the location, contact means, and receiving function from the accompanying information.