Aimed primarily at school-age children, this specialized museum focuses on the history and operations of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, exploring the topics of crime-scene investigation and disaster response in particular. There are a good number of interactive displays and short videos to watch, as well as displays of real police vehicles and vintage police uniforms. Admission is free.

Budding scientists and amateur detectives can explore mockups of a forensics lab and a crime scene, and try their hand at tracing footprints and tire tracks. There's also a map-based video game where you can look for clues and chase criminals on the run. A giant diorama of a local Tokyo neighborhood identifies scenes of crimes and potential crimes in progress when you press various buttons, and a popular cycling simulator teaches traffic-safety rules.

If you're in the mood for a video break, several short films are on rotation in the mini-theater. Our favorite - "I'm a Nose Detective" - tells the story of a police dog named Shelly and the months-long training program he goes through before working in the field. All films have English subtitles.

The best photo opportunities are probably on the ground floor, where you can climb into an actual police helicopter or pose in front of an antique police motorcycle. There are also child-size police uniforms to try on, although when it's crowded on weekends, try-ons may be limited to just helmets. The museum shop area consists of a line of vending machines selling police-themed goods decorated with the image of Peopo, the cheerful Tokyo Metropolitan Police cartoon mascot.