A sport-style Japanese police cruiser displayed outstide the entrance to the Police Museum in Tokyo. (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)
The Tokyo Police Museum, a six-story building a 7-minute walk from the Tokyo Station, showcases hundreds of years of policing history in Japan, and to top it off, it’s a completely free experience.
Right away, children and adults alike are invited to sit in former Japanese law enforcement vehicles. Visiting children can borrow a police uniform from the front desk for photo opportunities.
The second-floor theme is crime prevention and traffic safety. A large diorama of a Tokyo neighborhood has touch screens that visitors may use to learn more about the role of police officers. A biking simulator serves to teach basic traffic safety.
On the next floor, you’ll find more hands-on exhibits, and visitors may learn about working in a Japanese police box and how to lift fingerprints; the fourth floor showcases different law enforcement uniforms.
Inside the Tokyo Police Museum, visitors may experience what it’s like to be a Japanese police officer and learn about the history of policing in Japan. (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)
The fifth floor is all about Japan’s policing history. There are several artifacts on display, including historical uniforms, personal accounts from the founder of the Metropolitan Police Department and even a ballistic shield that was damaged during a police operation. Visitors will learn about the significant police deployments in each era of Japanese history.
The sixth floor houses an event hall. Several times a year, police-themed events there offer interactive activities and limited-time displays.
The entire museum may be experienced in a little under an hour, making it a family-friendly stop during your next trip to Tokyo.
Tokyo Police Museum
Directions: A 90-minute drive from Yokota Air Base or a two-hour train ride to nearby Kyobashi Metro Station. No onsite parking. 3 Chome-5-1 Kyobashi, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0031
Times: Open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Closed Mondays and Japanese holidays.
Costs: Admission is free
Food: Nothing available in the building but plenty of options in the surrounding neighborhood
Information: online: tinyurl.com/5fnvcpd6
Note: COVID policies on the museum website are no longer in effect.
