Emergencies & Health in Japan: Numbers, Hospitals & Staying Safe

Japan is one of the safest countries to travel in, but it is still wise to know what to do if something goes wrong. Keep this information saved on your phone.

Emergency numbers

• 110 — Police (crime, theft, traffic accidents).
• 119 — Fire & Ambulance (fires and medical emergencies; the same number calls an ambulance).
• 118 — Japan Coast Guard (accidents and trouble at sea).
• #7119 — Emergency medical advice, for when you are not sure whether to call an ambulance. It is run region by region and is not available everywhere in Japan.
• #8000 — After-hours advice line for children's illnesses, available in every prefecture.

Japan does not use 112 or 911. Dial 110 or 119 instead — memorise those two.

These calls are free and work from any phone. If you do not speak Japanese, speak slowly and clearly; operators can often arrange interpretation support. State what happened and where you are (a nearby landmark or address helps).

Getting medical care

• For a serious emergency, call 119 for an ambulance.
• For non-urgent care, visit a clinic or hospital. Larger city hospitals are more likely to have some English-speaking staff.
• Tourism organisations and local governments publish lists of medical institutions with foreign-language support — search for these online, or ask your hotel front desk for help finding one.
• Japan Visitor Hotline — 050-3816-2787 (from overseas: +81-50-3816-2787). Run by the Japan National Tourism Organization, it answers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in English, Chinese and Korean, covering accidents, illness, natural disasters and general tourist questions. Save it in your phone before you fly.

Pharmacies & minor ailments

• Pharmacies (yakkyoku) and drugstores sell over-the-counter medicine for colds, stomach upsets, pain and allergies.
• Bring any prescription medicine you need from home in its original packaging, together with a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor.
• Some medicines that are completely ordinary elsewhere are illegal in Japan. Amphetamine and methamphetamine are banned outright, which means Adderall and other amphetamine-based ADHD medication cannot be brought into Japan under any circumstances — a valid foreign prescription makes no difference.
• Narcotics (codeine, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, tapentadol) and stimulant raw materials (pseudoephedrine, and lisdexamfetamine — Vyvanse / Elvanse) require advance permission from Japan's Narcotics Control Department. Apply at least two weeks before you travel.
• Without extra paperwork you may generally bring up to one month's supply of prescription medicine, up to two months of over-the-counter medicine, and up to 24 units of external-use products. Anything above that needs an import certificate (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, applied for in advance.
• Check your own medicines against the MHLW's official guidance before you pack. This is enforced at customs, and the penalties are serious.

Travel insurance

Medical care is not free for visitors, and costs can add up. Travel insurance that covers medical treatment is strongly recommended. Keep your policy number and your insurer's emergency contact accessible.

Natural disasters & safety

• Japan can experience earthquakes. If shaking starts, protect your head, stay away from falling objects, and follow staff or announcements.
• Download an official disaster and weather alert app for warnings in English.
• In a typhoon or heavy rain, follow local advice and avoid rivers and the coast.

Everyday safety

Petty crime is rare, and lost property often finds its way back to owners. Still, keep copies of your passport and important documents, and note your embassy's contact details.

Prepared, not paranoid — save these numbers, carry insurance, and you can relax and enjoy your trip.