About Tokyo's Street Names and Address System

Above, a Roppongi intersection. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It took me about three trips to Tokyo before I got some sort of semblance of being able to figure out the city's street system. Finding an address is another story.

Back in 2006, I had to find the office of Kadokawa Pictures. I was in the general area but was unable to find the place. Fortunately, the New Otani Hotel in Chiyoda (which was used as Osata Chemicals headquarters in You Only Live Twice) was in the area and I checked with their concierge desk and they gave me a detailed map. I just handed it to a taxi driver he got me there within minutes.

Still, it is not unusual to get "mighty bewildered" when trying to find an address. What I found helpful (besides a hotel) was to ask a local, go to a police koban or, if lucky, go to a visitor information office.

Time Out Tokyo has an article explaining Tokyo's street system.

It begins with:

Were U2 singing about Tokyo all along? In this city, only a handful of the main thoroughfares and shopping streets have honorary street names, such as Meiji-dori and Takeshita-dori. Other than that, rather than having street names, we’ve given names to areas and assigned numbers to the districts or sections within them, which are then counted as ‘chome’. For example, Aoyama It-chome is thus Aoyama (District) 1. 

So when you’re looking at a map, you first need to find the area and then you can go searching within it. Theoretically it’s a lot faster than trying to figure out at what end of that long street number 98 is.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Release "Japan Safe" Video In English

Above, a police koban at the entrance to Nakamise Street in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan, in general, is well-known as a relatively safe place to visit. 

But, to reassure foreign visitors that their fears that Japan is not a hotbed full of terrorists and criminals just salivating to strike at them, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has a new English version PR video on YouTube.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO —The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has released a new promotion video in English, highlighting the law enforcement work and efforts toward tackling terrorism and crime. 

The video is designed to assure foreigners of Japan’s safety ahead of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The 12-minute-long video was uploaded on the police department’s official YouTube channel, which was launched this month. The channel features nearly 70 videos already, including the original Japanese version of the PR video, as well as a Korean, Chinese and a kids-friendly version.

 To read more and see the video, go here.

Japan's Police Told To Brush Up On Their Hospitality

Above, a police koban in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is increasing their efforts in extending their best in hospitality to foreign visitors.

This is even extending to how they want local police stations (kobans) to interact with foreigners.

The Japan Times reported:

Police are joining nationwide efforts to brush up on their omotenashi (hospitality) as the country experiences a surge in overseas visitors and prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

The National Police Agency on Thursday ordered police forces across the country to ensure smooth communication with foreign visitors through means such as placing staff who can adequately respond to them at police stations in popular tourist spots and entertainment districts. 

The agency also called on police stations to consider using telephone interpretation services or set up ad hoc police boxes in areas expected to be busy with travelers. 

It also called for police to swiftly secure a translator for any non-Japanese speakers that may need to be approached for crime investigations.

 To read more, go here.

"What Should You Do If You Lose Something In Japan?"

Above, a koban (police station) in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan Info has an article which will be a big help should you lose something while in Japan. 

It is on, "What Should You Do If You Lose Something In Japan?"

It begins with:

Even if we are very careful of our stuff, we are all human so losing something happens to all of us. I hope you won’t lose anything in Japan but if do, don’t feel hopeless!! Here are some tips that might help you find your item. 

At first, go back to the place where you think you lost it. Then, if you couldn’t find it, you should go to the nearest police station (“koban”) in the area where you think you lost your things. Most of the police stations are located somewhere near the station.

To read more, go here. 

Japan: Land of the Rising Indignation

Above, a crowd near Shibuya Crossing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A tourist to Japan had the unfortunate luck in Shibuya to be accused of taking "perverted" photos of some girls wearing their unique fashions by the local police.

He was escorted to the nearby koban (a small police kiosk or shack) for questioning.

He recounts his experience in the Montreal Gazette's website. The article begins with:

A tourist in Tokyo discovers that a thousand words are needed to convince the police that his photography was an innocent attempt to capture some local colour. 

What will you find at Tokyo's Shibuya Station Crossing? Bright lights, colourful crowds, young women in the latest fashions, police officers, misunderstandings, nasty accusations of public perversion, and possible incarceration in a modern and efficient Japanese jail. That may not be exactly the way they describe it in Lonely Planet but I guarantee it's first-hand information.

If you are in Shibuya (or anywhere else in Japan), great care should be taken or you may end up being accused of indecent photography.

To read the article, go here.