Advice about Police
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Japanese Kōban – Police Boxes for Safety and Help 24/7
As you know, Japan is known as the safest country in the world and I believe Kōban (small neighborhood police stations) all over Japan play an important role in our safe society. Police officers stationed at kōban serve several roles:1) Crime and accident reports : When property crimes …(280 words)
yumin
Omnipresent "KOBAN" - translated as "police detached station"?
You have seen them! They are everywhere, omnipresent, nearly invisible and they are among us: the KOBAN. Koban are small police stations, detached from the main office and in charge of peace within a small territory. Usually, the policemen and women are in the little station, either sitting or …(263 words)
Claire
Safety in Japan
I have heard from some of my foreigner friends that in some countries, people would rather avoid getting involve with the police than seek justice for a small problem. In Japan, you don't have to worry about the police taking advantage of you. Although they can be a hassle at times do the the amoun…(281 words)
GenS
Parking in Japan
Parking in Japan is actually quite complicated. You don't need to be in Japan very long to notice that there is not much street parking. There are some parking metered areas, but there are way more cars in commercial car parks than there are on the streets.In fact, it is basically illegal to park…(675 words)
StevieB
Licensed To Drive..Finally!!
This article was originally published on my blog site on January 2008. Please come and visit http://mirai.hayashi-web.net to see more about my experiences in living and working in Japan.About 6 years ago I attempted to get a Japanese drivers license, since I was still driving with an internati…(4721 words)
MiraiZ
Tokyo's Major Streets
In years past very few streets in Japan had names other than some of the major thoroughfares. These days it's possible to find more streets with names, but other than the major ones, most people won't know where "such and such" a street is located.Some use the word "kaido" in their name. The "…(337 words)
Joe Peters
Ome Kaido
Ome Kaido is a major street running generally west from Shinjuku. Once past Shinjuku, the street becomes Yasukuni Dori.Ome Kaido is an old highway, National Route 411, and it runs from Shinjuku to Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture. It was a road used by travelers in the Edo period, both walking an…(249 words)
mikekato
Lost anything? Go to the Koban!
Japanese police boxes are so useful, because the policemen are kind and willing to help people who are having difficulties finding the way. Also, Japanese people tend to be honest and caring for other people – they deliver lost items to the police box, especially if the item looks expensive or is a…(104 words)
RieS
Theft Prevention
Bike crime in Tokyo is certainly present, so locking up your bike is always a good choice. Because so many people ride bikes in Tokyo, the registration system is somewhat strict, and police will enforce the system by checking bike registration at random, to make sure that the bike belongs to you.…(201 words)
KurtisW
Do You Know "Hidari Gawa Tsuko?" Pass on the left in Japan
"To the Left, To the Left" is one of my favorite songs and it well applies to some parts of my life....okay, yes you're right, Ill avoid that topic for today :) But, "To the Left" is an important concept in Japan. When you walk around, basically anywhere in Japan, you'll see the cool everyone k…(435 words)
Approach Casually
The police boxes placed all over the cities are not necessarily meant to scare you, or keep constant watch on you. I, as an American, have been conditioned somewhat to be afraid of police officers, and always suspicious that I myself am under suspicion for something. This has caused me to take a gr…(132 words)
KurtisW
Hospitals in Japan
You will be lucky to find a hospital with good English support in Tokyo. Good hospitals are everywhere in Tokyo but only the larger ones will have English support. However, there is no problem if you access this page:http://www.himawari.metro.tokyo.jp/qq/qq13enmnlt.aspThis site is made to p…(126 words)
GenS
to protect yourself from other people's cold
Yes, as all the other sempais say, the masks are for protecting yourself from pollen, and to protect others from your your virus and cold.I think it is also a way to protect yourself from other people's virus and cold, when you feel weak. No Japanese people would admit this of course but it is …(189 words)
Claire
Turning in lost items
If you find a lost item in a train or train station, turn the item in to a station employee or at the lost-and-found / information counter.If you find an item worth any kind of value (monetary or otherwise) on the street, you should take the item to the nearest police station. The officer in c…(216 words)
Andrea Miyata
Lost without Translation
Don't worry, in most places in Tokyo, you're not far from someplace easy to navigate. Try asking anyone you meet. Some people may say they can't speak English, but they should be able to direct you to the nearest train station, or "eki." If not, ask for the nearest "koban." The police boxes are…(96 words)
mikekato
Meeting someone in Shinjuku
The most popular meeting spot in Shinjuku tends to be in front of the Studio Alta building. The building is close to the station and is convenient to shopping and nightlife on the east side of the station. But if you are either coming from the west side, or meeting someone staying at any of the m…(125 words)
mikekato
They are there to help
Sometimes there is no officer in the police box because they are out on patrol. If you need to talk to someone just pick up the phone on the desk. You don't have to dial. An officer will answer on the other end.(43 words)
Kenji
Credit Cards
If you lose your wallet while traveling in Tokyo, I would recommend searching thoroughly, and waiting a few days for a report before cancelling your cards. One time, I lost my bag with my wallet and cancelled all my cards for fear of fraudulent use. However, after making a report to the local polic…(132 words)
KurtisW
Street parking? Parking lot?
It is not recommended to park illegally on the side of the streets where there is no street parking, because the police come around frequently. Therefore, you should either use the street parking (and definitely put the money in the meter) or go to a nearby parking lot. For street parking, you usua…(122 words)
RieS
When accidents happen
When you are in an accident.Things to know are...Was anyone hurt?Did you damage someone else property?Know your insurance before hand. The police in Japan will not help you, they will only do their job. Which is take record of the accident, they won't tell you who's fault is was. That's n…(137 words)
Yuuki I
Once a year
There is an "open market" (late October?) for those interested in purchasing a Japanese sword at a building right near the Atago Police Station {across from Japanese Red Cross headquarters}; I don't recall the exact building name [Nihon Token Club Building? Token means "sword & stuff" in Japanese, …(117 words)
Mike's
Don't hesitate!
Do not hesitate to ask around! There are so many services around you that are willing to help you get to your destination. I recommend either 1) Go to the information desk at the nearby mall or department store, 2) go to the police station or 3) ask a foreigner (or local) on the street (they may be…(76 words)
RieS
Don't worry!
If you are at a department store or mall, I recommend you to go to the information desk to give the lost item that you have found. If you are on the street, it would be best to give the lost item to the police station. Although they may ask you to fill in a form, do not hesitate. You will have …(111 words)
RieS
In the case of a small car accident
If a small car accident, such as bumping into another car, you should both go to the side of the road and discuss the situation. Let's say that person A's car bumped into person B's car. They should both take down the other car's license plate and ther other person's name, phone number and address.…(109 words)
RieS
Koban system
This is the unique sytem in Japan. Whenever or wherever you lose your way. why don't you stop by the police box, where the policemen kindly give you a helping hand where to go. You can make fully use of these police boxes.(43 words)
yumin
POP SENSEI P.B
24 HR YOU CAN VISIT A POLICE BOX ANY WHERE IN JAPAN !! IF YOU GET TO THE POLICE BOX , FIRST LET THE POLICE MAN KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AND HE WILL HELP YOU NOW ADAYS IN YOKOHAMA THEY HAVE POLICE MEN WHO SPEAKS ENGLISH AS WELL. IF YOU ARE NICE AND POLITE THEY WILL WELCOME YOU…(61 words)
Pop
Koban has maps !
You can ask directions at Koban. I do ask for help when I go to unfamiliar places. Usually, each Koban has maps for neighboring area. Even if you don’t speak Japanese, they can use their maps at hand and guide you to wherever you would like to go.(49 words)
OKAKI-sun
Edo Tokyo Tatemono-en(architecture museum)
Edo Tokyo Tatemono-en is an outdoor museum to restore an old building of Japan, and to be able to see them freely. You can bring yourself to old time of Japan.Some of builfings are used in "Spirited away", a movie by Gibli, for reference. When you pass the museum to the direction of Mitaka, the …(156 words)
Kim-san
