police box; kōban
Historical term for a small neighborhood police station; now usually called 交番 (こうばん). The longer form 交番所 is still understood but feels old-fashioned.
See also: 交番
In the old days, there were police boxes all over town.
Nowadays, 交番所 is often called 交番.
Compound of 交番 (こうばん, 'alternating watch') + 所 (しょ, 'place'). The term originally referred to a place where police officers alternated shifts.