Japanese at the Kōban (Police Box): Directions, Lost Items and Reports
A 交番 (kōban) is a small neighbourhood police box, and it’s where people in Japan go to ask for directions, hand in or report lost items, and report minor incidents. Officers are generally helpful to visitors, and many boxes have maps and English or picture guides. In an emergency, don’t walk to a kōban: call 110 for the police or 119 for an ambulance or fire. Foreign residents should also know that police can ask to see your residence card or passport, which you’re required to carry.
What a kōban is for
- Directions. Officers know the local area well and often have detailed maps.
- Lost and found. Report a lost item or hand in something you found. See lost property in Japan.
- Reporting minor incidents such as a stolen bicycle, a minor traffic accident or a suspicious person.
- Help when you’re stuck, for example if you’ve lost your wallet and need to get home.
Sometimes the box is empty because officers are on patrol. Many have a phone that connects to the main police station.
Key words
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 交番 | kōban | Police box |
| 警察 / 警察官 | keisatsu / keisatsukan | Police / police officer |
| 落とし物 / 忘れ物 | otoshimono / wasuremono | Lost item / item left behind |
| 遺失届 | ishitsu todoke | Lost property report |
| 盗難届 / 被害届 | tōnan todoke / higai todoke | Theft report / incident report |
| 在留カード | zairyū kādo | Residence card |
| 道に迷いました | michi ni mayoimashita | I’m lost |
Useful phrases
| Japanese | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| すみません、道を教えていただけますか。 | sumimasen, michi o oshiete itadakemasu ka. | Excuse me, could you give me directions? |
| 財布を落としました。 | saifu o otoshimashita. | I’ve lost my wallet. |
| これを拾いました。 | kore o hiroimashita. | I found this. |
| 自転車が盗まれました。 | jitensha ga nusumaremashita. | My bicycle has been stolen. |
| 英語を話せる方はいますか。 | eigo o hanaseru kata wa imasu ka. | Is there anyone who speaks English? |
If an officer stops you
Police sometimes stop people for a quick check, for example to confirm a bicycle isn’t stolen (防犯登録, the bicycle registration sticker) or to see a foreign resident’s residence card. Stay calm and polite, and show what’s asked. Visitors should carry their passport. See cycling in Japan. This guide is about language, not legal advice; if you’re involved in anything serious, ask for an interpreter and contact your embassy.
Emergencies
Call 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance. Both can often arrange interpretation, but knowing how to give your location in Japanese helps. See Japanese for emergencies.
How Hanabuddies can help
Our native Japanese tutors teach one-to-one online, in English. We can practise asking for directions, describing lost items and explaining a problem simply, so you’re ready if you ever need the police in Japan. We don’t give legal advice.