Photo= An officer from Fushimi Police Station giving directions in English (Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto)

A mobile "Koban" or police box appeared on September 27 at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, to provide consultations for foreign tourists regarding directions and lost-and-found items. Officers from the Fushimi Police Station used an automatic translation application to communicate and call for safe trips.

In response to the surge in foreign tourists, the Fushimi Police Station has begun to use an official vehicle as a police box. It visits famous sights in the ward, such as Jonangu Shrine, Fujinomori Jinjya Shrine, and so on, two or three times a week. It also promotes the compliance with traffic rules and crime prevention.

On its first day, the temporary police box was "installed" near the Torii gate in front of "Romon," or Two-storied gate. As foreigners asked, "Where are Senbon Torii?" and other questions, a police officer gave them directions as well as advice, such as, "Watch your step."