1.
police substation; residential police box
A small police facility in a rural or suburban area where an officer lives on-site with their family. Larger than a simple police box and typically staffed by a single officer who serves the local community.
村に駐在所が一つある。
There is one police substation in the village.
駐在所の巡査に道を聞いた。
I asked the officer at the police substation for directions.
この地域では交番ではなく駐在所が住民の安全を守っている。
In this area, it's a residential police substation rather than a police box that protects the residents' safety.
Composed of 駐在 (being stationed, residing) + 所 (place). Distinct from 交番 (police box): a 交番 is found in urban areas and staffed in shifts, while a 駐在所 is in rural areas with a resident officer who lives there with their family. The officer is called 駐在さん by locals and serves as a community figure. Common collocations: 駐在所勤務 (service at a police substation), 駐在所の巡査 (the substation officer). A familiar concept in Japanese rural life and frequently appears in mystery and drama set in the countryside.