๐ SOS
Japan Emergency Guide
The numbers, hospitals, and step-by-step response you'll want bookmarked before something goes wrong.
Emergency phone numbers
All free from any phone (payphone, hotel, mobile). Police & ambulance operators can connect you to an English translator.
110
Police
Theft, assault, accident. Free from any phone. Say 'Eigo onegaishimasu' for English operator.
119
Fire / Ambulance
Fire, medical emergency, serious injury. FREE ambulance (no bill!). Wait for the vehicle, don't hang up.
118
Coast Guard
Ocean emergencies, drowning, boat accidents. Only relevant near coast.
03-5285-8181
JNTO Tourist Helpline (24/7 English)
General trouble, lost items, medical navigation, language help. English, Chinese, Korean 24/7.
#7119
Medical Consultation (non-emergency)
'Should I go to the hospital?' โ nurses on the line. Tokyo, Osaka, most cities. Some English support.
English-speaking hospitals
Verified foreign-friendly facilities in the 5 biggest cities. Call ahead when possible.
๐Tokyo
St. Luke's International Hospital
๐ 9-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
โฐ ER 24/7 ยท Outpatient 8:30-11:00
Gold-standard foreign-friendly hospital in Tokyo. Direct billing with major travel insurers.
Tokyo Midtown Clinic
๐ 6th Floor Midtown Tower, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku
โฐ Mon-Sat 9:00-18:00
Upmarket clinic in Roppongi. Best for general practice / minor issues. Cash preferred, insurance receipts issued.
Primary Care Tokyo (Shibuya)
๐ 2-3-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
โฐ Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00
Foreign doctor. Good for prescriptions, minor illness, women's health. Walk-in possible.
๐Kyoto
Japan Baptist Hospital
๐ 47 Yamanomotocho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
โฐ ER 24/7 ยท Outpatient 8:30-11:30
Missionary-founded hospital in Kyoto. Historically English-speaking staff. Full ER.
Kyoto University Hospital
๐ 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku
โฐ ER 24/7
Best serious-case hospital in Kansai. English limited but they'll find a translator for emergencies.
๐Osaka
AMC Clinic (Osaka)
๐ 9F Umeda Sky Bldg. West Tower, 1-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku
โฐ Mon-Fri 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00
General clinic in Umeda for foreigners. Prescriptions, minor issues, vaccinations. Cash + card.
Osaka University Hospital
๐ 2-15 Yamadaoka, Suita
โฐ ER 24/7
Major research hospital 30 min from central Osaka. Best for serious/complex cases.
๐Sapporo
Sapporo Medical University Hospital
๐ S-1 W-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
โฐ ER 24/7
Main foreign-accessible hospital in Hokkaido. Ski injuries frequently seen โ mention 'ski' or 'snowboard' directly.
๐Fukuoka
Fukuoka Tokushukai Hospital
๐ 4-5 Sugukita, Kasuga
โฐ ER 24/7
24/7 ER in Fukuoka area. Best call the JNTO hotline (03-5285-8181) first for translation help.
What to do ifโฆ
Step-by-step response for the 5 situations tourists actually face.
Earthquake
- 1DROP. COVER. HOLD. Get under a sturdy table if possible.
- 2Stay away from windows, mirrors, tall furniture that could fall.
- 3If outdoors: move away from buildings/power lines to an open area.
- 4Once shaking stops: check for injuries, then evacuate if you smell gas or see damage.
- 5Turn on NHK World Radio (via NHK app) for English updates. Follow evacuation signs (้็ๆฟ blue signs) to nearest shelter.
- 6Tsunami warning after coastal earthquake: RUN uphill immediately. Do not wait, do not return for belongings.
Lost passport
- 1Immediately report to nearest police box (koban) โ get 'Certificate of Report of Lost Property' (็ดๅคฑๅฑ).
- 2Contact your country's embassy in Tokyo/Osaka. Emergency travel documents issued in 1-3 days.
- 3Airlines typically require: police report + embassy-issued emergency document + boarding pass.
- 4Save embassy address + phone before your trip. Bring 2 passport photos (konbini photo booths, ยฅ800).
- 5Notify your travel insurer within 48h for replacement + trip disruption coverage.
Serious medical emergency
- 1Call 119. Say 'Kyuu-kyuu-sha onegai shimasu' (ambulance please) + location.
- 2Ambulance is FREE. Stay on the line. Operator will match you with English-speaking dispatcher.
- 3Prepare: passport, insurance card, list of medications, allergies. Take with you to hospital.
- 4In Tokyo: ambulance will ask if you have hospital preference โ say St. Luke's or Tokyo Midtown for English.
- 5If conscious and able to walk: taxi to nearest emergency hospital may be faster than waiting.
- 6Travel insurance: photograph all receipts + medical records for reimbursement claim.
Theft / lost wallet
- 1Japan is extremely safe โ first check lost & found (ๅฟใ็ฉ). Trains, restaurants, shops keep found items for days.
- 2Call 110 or go to nearest koban with details. Officer files a 'Certificate of Report of Lost Property'.
- 3This certificate is essential for insurance claims and card replacement.
- 4Cancel cards immediately via your bank's international emergency line (save these before you travel).
- 5For lost items on trains: call the line operator's lost & found hotline. JR East: 050-2016-1603 (English).
- 6For lost items in taxis: Tokyo Taxi Center 03-3648-0300. Have receipt / approximate time & route ready.
Typhoon
- 1Peak season: July-October. Trains stop and flights cancel 24-48h before landfall.
- 2Stock water + food + phone charger 24h before. Konbini shelves clear fast.
- 3Stay indoors during peak. Windows away from glass. Balconies dangerous.
- 4Check JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) English site for real-time warnings.
- 5Airline schedule changes: airlines usually waive rebook fees. Check your airline's typhoon policy.
- 6After typhoon: trees/power lines down. Public transit resumes gradually โ don't rush.