Japan Emergency Guide: Hospitals, Police, Consulates, and Typhoons
By Tour in Japan editors · Updated
What to do in an emergency in Japan — from medical emergencies to natural disasters and lost passports.
What to do in an emergency in Japan — from medical emergencies to natural disasters and lost passports.
Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number | When to Call |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 110 | Crime, accident, lost items |
| Fire / Ambulance | 119 | Fire, medical emergency |
| Coast Guard | 118 | Maritime emergency |
| General emergency | #7119 | Medical consultation (2024+) |
Medical Emergency
Hospitals with English Support
| City | Hospital | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | St. Luke's International Hospital | 03-3541-5151 |
| Tokyo | Tokyo Adventist Hospital | 03-3293-3211 |
| Osaka | Osaka University Hospital | 06-6879-5111 |
| Kyoto | Kyoto University Hospital | 075-751-3111 |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima University Hospital | 082-257-5555 |
Medical Costs
- No free healthcare for tourists — you pay full price
- Average ER visit — ¥50,000–100,000 ($333–667)
- Average hospital stay — ¥30,000–50,000/day ($200–333)
- Travel insurance strongly recommended
Pharmacies
- Drug stores (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia) — common OTC medicines
- Prescription medications — bring documentation from home country
- Some medications illegal in Japan — check before importing (ADD medication, certain cold medicines)
Lost Passport
Steps
- Go to the nearest police station — file a report
- Contact your embassy/consulate — they'll issue emergency travel documents
- Bring: Police report, passport photos (available at photo booths), proof of identity
Embassy Contacts
| Country | Tokyo Phone | Address |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 03-3224-5000 | 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku |
| UK | 03-5211-1100 | 1-5-30 Roppongi, Minato-ku |
| Australia | 03-5232-4111 | 2-1-30 Roppongi, Minato-ku |
| Canada | 03-5412-6100 | 7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-ku |
| France | 03-5798-6000 | 4-11-44 Roppongi, Minato-ku |
| Germany | 03-5474-7100 | 10-6-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku |
Natural Disasters
Earthquakes
- Most common — Japan has 1,500+ earthquakes per year
- Most are minor — you may not even feel them
- What to do: Drop, cover, hold on. Stay away from windows.
- After: Check for injuries, follow instructions from authorities
Typhoons
- Season: July–October (peak: August–September)
- What to do: Stay indoors, check JMA website, follow evacuation orders
- Trains may stop — check JR and metro websites
- Flights may be cancelled — check airline status
Tsunami
- If earthquake is strong: Move to higher ground immediately
- Tsunami warnings: Broadcast on TV, radio, and phone alerts
- Don't go to the beach after a strong earthquake
- Follow evacuation routes — posted in coastal areas
Volcanic Eruptions
- Active volcanoes: Mount Fuji, Mount Aso, Sakurajima, Mount Ontake
- Check JMA alerts before visiting volcanic areas
- Follow evacuation orders immediately
Lost Items
How to Report
- Go to the nearest police box (交番 — kōban)
- Fill out a lost property report
- Describe the item in detail
- Get a receipt — they'll contact you if found
Lost & Found
- Japan has excellent lost & found — items are often returned
- Train stations have lost & found offices
- Police boxes handle most lost items
- Turnaround: 1–7 days typically
Useful Phrases for Emergencies
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Help! | 助けて！(Tasukete!) |
| Call an ambulance! | 救急車を呼んでください！(Kyūkyūsha wo yonde kudasai!) |
| I need a doctor | 医者が必要です (Isha ga hitsuyō desu) |
| Where is the hospital? | 病院はどこですか？ (Byōin wa doko desu ka?) |
| I lost my passport | パスポートを失くしました (Pasupōto wo nakushimashita) |
| I need the police | 警察が必要です (Keisatsu ga hitsuyō desu) |
| There's been an accident | 事故がありました (Jiko ga arimashita) |
| Fire! | 火事です！(Kaji desu!) |
| I'm allergic to... | ○○アレルギーがあります (○○ arerugī ga arimasu) |
| I need help | 手伝ってください (Tetsudatte kudasai) |
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