A building housing Tokyo’s Police Museum is justified, as the law enforcement agency maintains one of the safest cities in the world. The police force began in 1874 when a samurai, Kawaji Toshiyoshi, founded what would become the respected Keishicho, or Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. See his uniform and sword among the many exhibits.
View a detailed timeline over four panels showing the evolution of the force and the development of police weapons. Plenty of interactive exhibits will entertain all ages, from the very young who can dress up as police officers to have their pictures taken, to older children and adults who can drive a police cruiser simulator. Try your skills at identifying criminals through face recognition and test your police knowledge with quizzes. If you’re interested in seeing how police lift fingerprints or shoe patterns, you’ll have a chance at this attraction.
An interactive exhibit on safe cycling through city traffic provides a valuable lesson that you can take home to practice. Tell friends back home what you learned about bike safety on Tokyo streets, at least in a fashion. See the static displays of earlier and current police motorbikes, while having your picture taken on some of them or inside a police helicopter. Pay respects to officers who have fallen in the line of duty in part of the museum dedicated for that purpose.
While walking around, notice some of the police boxes scattered at nearly 1,000 locations throughout Tokyo. These small buildings, or koban, are usually manned and always available to citizens and visitors who need help for accidents, lost items or first responder support. Find out what happens in a koban at the museum’s exhibit and discover the procedure followed when an emergency call is received.
Admission to the Police Museum is free. Find it in the Ginza area. Take the metro to the Kyobashi, Takaracho or Ginza Itchome station followed by a short walk. The museum is closed on Mondays and during the year-end holiday season.
