JAPANJapan is situated in northeastern Asia between the North Pacific and the Sea of Japan. The area of Japan is 377,873 square kilometers, nearly equivalent to Germany and Switzerland combined or slightly smaller than California. Japan consists of four major islands, surrounded by more than 4,000 smaller islands. |
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Before using the Planner, read the following items to help make your sightseeing trip safe and enjoyable.
Usage Guide |
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| 日本語 | English | 繁體中文 | 簡体中文 | 한국어 |
To report a crime, accident, or other emergency, dial ‘110’ from any telephone. In Tokyo, an English-language line to the Metropolitan Police is available from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., at 03-3501-0110.
Your best resource for contacting the police, getting directions if you are lost, or for reporting a lost or stolen item, is your nearest "Koban", or police box. This network of mini police stations is unique to Japan, and they can be found in virtually every neighborhood throughout the country, there are over 1200 Koban in Tokyo alone. While not all Koban are staffed 24 hours a day, most of the police boxes located in heavily populated areas will have an officer on duty. In the most popular tourist areas, Ginza, or Shinjuku, for example, there may be someone who can help you in English, and they may have forms and other documents available in English as well.
Look for the KOBAN sign, with its distinctive red light, whenever you need police help with:
If you are unable to find a police box, ask at your hotel or other local business, most people will know where the nearest one is located in their neighborhood.
The Police Box (“Koban”) System |
