An emergency guide for travelers in Japan
Stay safe.
Stay informed.
Read this before something happens. Use the red SOS button if it does.
Free emergency numbers in Japan
When the ground shakes or the sky breaks.
Japan sits on the Ring of Fire — about 1,500 earthquakes a year, plus typhoon season every summer. Most are minor. But knowing what to do takes 10 minutes and may save your life.
Earthquakes
Japan has roughly 1,500 earthquakes a year. Most are tiny. The few that aren't, you'll never forget. Modern Japanese buildings are designed to sway, not collapse — staying calm and staying inside is almost always the right move.
Drop. Cover. Hold on.
Three actions. Memorize them. They are the global standard and the Japanese government's official advice.
-
1
Drop
Immediately get down on your hands and knees, before the shaking knocks you off your feet. From this position you can crawl to shelter.
-
2
Cover
Get under a sturdy table or desk. If there isn't one, crawl next to an interior wall, away from windows. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Do not stand in doorways — that advice is outdated.
-
3
Hold on
Hold onto whatever covers you. If it moves, move with it. Stay there until the shaking fully stops.
Different places, same principle
🏨 In a hotel or building
Stay inside. Never use the elevator. Don't run for the stairs during the shaking — falling debris concentrates near doorways and stairwells. Drop, cover, hold on where you are.
🚇 On a train or subway
The train will brake automatically — that's a safety feature. Hold the strap or rail firmly, lower your body. Stay seated if you're seated. Wait for the staff's instructions. Do not try to exit on your own.
🏬 In a shop or restaurant
Move away from windows and shelves. Get under a table. The staff is trained — follow their instructions. Don't rush to the exit.
🚶 On the street
Move away from buildings, walls, power lines and vending machines (they weigh a ton). Go to an open space — a park, a plaza. Cover your head with a bag or your arms.
🛗 In an elevator
Press every floor button. Get out at the first floor that opens. If trapped, press the help button and wait.
🚗 In a car
Slow down, pull to the left side of the road, away from trees and overhead wires. Turn off the engine but leave the key in the ignition and don't lock the door — emergency crews may need to move it.
Forget what you've heard
- "Stand in a doorway." False in modern Japan. Doorways aren't structurally stronger and you'll lose your balance.
- "Run outside." Most injuries come from moving. Glass, signs and tiles fall during shaking — stay covered.
- "Triangle of life." Debunked by every official rescue agency. Stick with Drop, Cover, Hold on.
What to do next
- Check yourself for injuries. Then look at your surroundings.
- Put on shoes before walking — broken glass everywhere.
- Open a door or window to secure an exit — frames can warp shut.
- Expect aftershocks. Sometimes stronger than the first quake.
- If you're near the coast or felt long shaking (20+ seconds): assume tsunami risk and head uphill immediately. Don't wait for an official warning.
- Use the stairs, never the elevator.
- Use LINE, WhatsApp or the 171 system instead of calling — phone lines will be jammed.
📱 What that loud phone alarm means
Your phone may blast a piercing alarm seconds before a big quake hits — even in silent mode. The screen shows 緊急地震速報 (Kinkyū jishin sokuhō — Emergency Earthquake Alert).
You have seconds, not minutes. Drop, cover, hold on. Do not check the phone first.
Tsunamis
A tsunami is an extremely fast, large sea wave that may follow an earthquake. They can hit within minutes, reach unexpected inland distances, and arrive in multiple waves over hours. Even shallow water (50cm) can knock you down. Acting fast and high saves your life.
Signs of immediate danger
- Strong or long earthquake near the coast (shaking lasting 20+ seconds) — assume tsunami risk and evacuate.
- The sea suddenly retreats exposing the seabed — this is the wave drawing water before striking.
- Sirens or loudspeakers from city authorities.
- JMA alert on your phone with the loud emergency sound.
Run uphill. Run inland.
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1
Go high, go now
Move to elevated ground or the upper floor of a sturdy concrete building. If you see a green and white pictogram of a person running uphill — that's the evacuation sign. Follow it.
-
2
Walk, don't drive
Roads will jam or break. On foot you can always get through. Take only what's essential — your phone, passport, the clothes you have on.
-
3
Stay away from rivers
Tsunamis travel up rivers fast. A river inlet is not safer than the coast.
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4
Do not return until officials say so
The first wave is often not the biggest. A second or third may follow hours later. There is also a drawback wave — water pulling back to sea — that can sweep entire buildings away.
What the warning means
Tsunami Advisory
Expected waves up to 1m. Stay out of the water, leave beaches.
Tsunami Warning
Expected waves up to 3m. Evacuate to higher ground immediately.
Major Tsunami Warning
Waves of 3m or more. Extreme danger. Run, don't pack.
📍 Tokyo coastal areas to watch
Tokyo Bay protects most of the city, but low-lying coastal districts can still flood. If you're in Odaiba, Toyosu, Tsukishima, Kasai Rinkai, or anywhere on Tokyo Bay when a strong earthquake hits, move inland or to a high floor right away.
Typhoons & floods
Typhoon season in Japan runs from June to October, with peak in August–September. Unlike earthquakes, you'll always have days of warning. The danger is in ignoring it — strong winds, flooded streets, and total transport shutdown.
Once you know one is coming
- Stock 2–3 days of water, snacks, and a power bank. Convenience stores get cleaned out fast.
- Charge every device. Power cuts are common.
- Cancel outdoor plans. Hiking, Mt. Fuji, boat trips — all dangerous.
- Check JMA: "taifū gō X" (台風X号) is the typhoon number. Lower central pressure (hPa) means stronger storm.
- If flying out, check your airline before going to the airport — mass cancellations are normal.
Stay inside. Wait it out.
🏨 In your hotel
Close curtains and stay away from windows — they can shatter from wind pressure. Hotel staff will guide you if evacuation is needed.
🚆 Transport
Trains stop hours in advance ("planned suspension" / 計画運休 keikaku unkyū). Shinkansen, JR, metro — all can pause 12–24h. Don't try to travel.
🌊 Flooding
Do not walk through water where you can't see the ground. Manhole covers wash away. Subways flood from the entrances down.
⚡ Power outages
Common in strong typhoons. Use your phone flashlight sparingly. Free Wi-Fi network "00000JAPAN" auto-activates in disasters.
From watch to "this is unprecedented"
-
1
Advisory (注意報 · chūihō)
A disaster may happen. Pay attention to updates.
-
2
Warning (警報 · keihō)
Serious disaster risk. Prepare to evacuate. Elderly, children, and those needing help should start moving.
-
3
Emergency Warning (特別警報 · tokubetsu keihō)
Once-in-decades disaster underway. Evacuate now. If too late to leave, go to the highest, strongest part of the building you're in.
Shelters & signs
Japan has a clear network of evacuation locations marked with universal green-and-white pictograms. They're free, open to everyone regardless of nationality, and provide basic food, water, and a place to sleep after a disaster.
Know what each sign means
🟢 Evacuation Site (避難場所 · hinan basho)
An open space — park, schoolyard, plaza — where you first run to escape fire or building collapse. Temporary. You don't stay overnight here.
🏫 Evacuation Shelter (避難所 · hinanjo)
A building — usually a school gym or community center — where you can stay days or weeks if your hotel is unsafe. Provides blankets, water, food (after a few days), toilets.
🌊 Tsunami Evacuation Building
A tall reinforced building near the coast where you can climb to the roof if there's no time to reach higher ground. Marked with a specific blue/green pictogram of a person running up to a building.
📍 How to find them right now
Open Google Maps and search "evacuation shelter" or "避難所". Each Tokyo ward (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Minato…) also publishes its own hazard map online — search "[ward name] hazard map English".
Tip: when you check into your hotel, ask the front desk where the nearest hinanjo (避難所) is. Note the direction. It takes 30 seconds and might save a panic later.
What to expect
- Shelters are free and open to anyone, including tourists without insurance or residency.
- It can take 2–3 days for food and full supplies to arrive — bring your own snacks if you can.
- Privacy is minimal — everyone shares a large hall.
- Keep noise down. Follow staff instructions. Help your neighbors.
- Smoking is allowed only in designated areas.
- Don't drive there — walk. Roads will be needed for emergency services.
- Electricity, water, and gas may be cut off. Stay phone-charged when possible.
Alerts & warnings
Your phone will scream at you, the city's loudspeakers will blare, and the TV will flash kanji you don't understand. Here's how to tell what's actually happening.
That terrifying sound
When a major earthquake, tsunami, or missile launch is detected, every phone connected to Japanese networks blasts a piercing chime — even on silent. The screen shows kanji in red.
緊急地震速報
Kinkyū jishin sokuhō
Emergency Earthquake Alert — strong shaking expected in seconds. Drop, cover, hold on. Now.
津波警報
Tsunami keihō
Tsunami Warning — large wave expected. Go to higher ground immediately.
大雨特別警報
Ōame tokubetsu keihō
Heavy Rain Emergency — historic flooding underway. Evacuate or go to a high floor.
避難指示
Hinan shiji
Evacuation Order — leave now, follow signs to the nearest shelter.
Official sources in English
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1
Safety tips
Made by the Japan Tourism Agency. 14 languages. Real-time alerts for earthquakes, tsunamis, eruptions, weather. The single most useful app for tourists.
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2
NHK World
Japan's public broadcaster in English. Live news, breaking disaster updates, video coverage.
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3
Disaster Preparedness Tokyo
Made by Tokyo Metropolitan Government. 5 languages. Local hazard maps, shelter locations, simulations.
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4
Yurekuru Call
Earthquake early warning, very fast. Japanese-language alerts but the loud sound is universal.
📻 If the network goes down
After a major quake, mobile networks get jammed for hours. Two backup channels:
- NHK Radio 1 (AM 594 kHz in Tokyo) — official disaster broadcasts.
- Hotel staff and station announcements — Japan's offline infrastructure works.
After the disaster
The shaking stopped, the storm passed. Now you need to find people, share that you're safe, and figure out what's next. Japan has specific systems built for this — they're not obvious unless someone tells you.
Phone lines will be jammed
After any major disaster, mobile and landline networks get overloaded by millions of simultaneous calls. Regular calls won't go through for hours. Use one of these instead:
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1
Messaging apps first
LINE, WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessage use much less bandwidth than calls and usually work even when phone calls fail.
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2
NTT 171 message system
Dial 171 from any Japanese phone. Press 1 to record a message, 2 to play back. Your family abroad can listen via web171.jp. Free during disasters.
-
3
J-anpi safety search
Website anpi.jp lets anyone (including family abroad) search by phone number or name to find safety status. Available in English.
Free emergency Wi-Fi
During major disasters, Japan's carriers automatically activate a free, open Wi-Fi network called 00000JAPAN (five zeros + JAPAN). It appears in your Wi-Fi list — connect without password.
It's unencrypted, so don't bank or shop on it — but messaging and maps work fine.
If you need help leaving or replacing documents
After a major disaster, embassies set up multilingual support centers to help with lost passports, emergency travel docs, evacuation flights, and contacting your government. Contact your country's embassy in Tokyo as soon as you're safe.
⚠ Aftershocks can last weeks
A magnitude 7+ earthquake is followed by hundreds of aftershocks, some strong enough to collapse already-weakened buildings. For 2–3 days after a major quake:
- Avoid old or visibly damaged buildings.
- Keep your shoes on indoors (broken glass).
- Keep your phone and a small bag packed in case you need to evacuate fast.
- Trust JMA — they'll tell you when the worst is past.
If you get sick or hurt.
Japan's healthcare is excellent, but as a tourist you pay for it — keep your travel insurance details handy. For real emergencies, call 119 (works from any phone, free).
How to call 119
If you need an ambulance or fire service, dial 119. The service is free and available to anyone in Japan, regardless of nationality or insurance. The operator will ask you a sequence of questions — answer slowly and calmly.
If there are Japanese-speaking people nearby, ask them to call for you. It speeds everything up.
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119 operator
"Fire or medical emergency?"
火事ですか、救急ですか？
Kaji desu ka, kyūkyū desu ka? -
You
"Medical emergency."
救急です。
Kyūkyū desu. -
Operator
"Where is the location?"
住所はどこですか？
Jūsho wa doko desu ka? -
You
Give the address. If you don't know it, describe a nearby building, intersection, or store. Big chains (Lawson, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart) make great landmarks.
-
Operator
"What happened?"
どうしましたか？
Dō shimashita ka? -
You
Describe the symptoms in simple English. "Chest pain." "Bleeding." "Unconscious." Keep it short.
-
Operator
"How old? Your name and phone?"
年齢は？お名前と電話番号は？
Nenrei wa? O-namae to denwa-bangō wa? -
You
Give the patient's age (approximate is fine), your name, and a phone number where the crew can call back if they can't find you.
Prepare these things while you wait
- Passport
- Cash or credit card (you'll pay at the hospital)
- Any current medication you're taking
- Notes on what happened and any changes before the ambulance arrived
Tip: if you have someone with you, send them out to the street to wave the ambulance down — finding the exact address in Tokyo can take time.
Show your phone to anyone helping you
Please call an ambulance.
救急車を呼んでください。
Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.
My chest hurts.
胸が痛いです。
Mune ga itai desu.
I can't breathe well.
息が苦しいです。
Iki ga kurushii desu.
I'm bleeding heavily.
大量に出血しています。
Tairyō ni shukketsu shite imasu.
I am allergic to…
…にアレルギーがあります。
…ni arerugī ga arimasu.
I take this medicine.
この薬を飲んでいます。
Kono kusuri o nonde imasu.
When to call an ambulance — adults
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency lists these symptoms as "do not hesitate, call 119." Source: official FDMA guide. When in doubt, call. The service is free.
- Sudden severe headache
- Sudden high fever with confusion
- Severe dizziness — can't stand without support
- One side of the face becomes numb or hard to move
- Facial asymmetry when smiling — one side droops
- Slurred speech, can't get words out properly
- Sudden tunnel vision or double vision
- Skin or lips clearly turning a wrong color
- Sudden severe chest pain
- Pressure or tightness in the center of the chest lasting 2–3 minutes
- Sudden shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
- Pain that moves around the chest or back
- Sudden severe abdominal pain
- Continuous severe abdominal pain that won't ease
- Vomiting blood
- Blood in stool, or completely black stool
- Sudden numbness anywhere
- Sudden weakness in one arm or leg
- Severe nausea with cold sweats
- Food stuck in the throat, can't breathe
- Swallowed something dangerous and lost consciousness
- Unconscious or barely responsive — call immediately
- Severe exhaustion, can't get up
- Convulsions that won't stop
- Unconscious even after a seizure ended
- Traffic accident with strong impact
- Near-drowning
- Fall from a height
- Heavy bleeding from any injury
- Extensive burns
⚠ When in doubt — call
Anything that feels seriously wrong, anything different from normal — call 119. Operators are trained to triage. They will not be angry at a false alarm. The service is free regardless of nationality or insurance status.
When to call — children (under 15)
For babies and children, anything that looks different from normal is reason to call. Their condition can deteriorate fast. Call 119 if you see any of these.
Any sign that something is wrong with a baby this young — call 119. Their warning signs are subtle and time matters.
- Lips turning blue or purple
- Skin clearly the wrong color
- Weak or shallow breathing
- Violent coughing, wheezing, struggling to breathe
- Headache combined with convulsions or seizure
- Hit head hard, bleeding won't stop, or unconscious
- Unconscious (no response) or drowsy/confused
- Continuous seizures, or unconscious even after a seizure ends
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea, can't keep liquids down, confused
- Severe stomach pain, the child is in obvious distress
- Vomiting that won't stop
- Bloody stool
- Limbs gone rigid or stiff
- Full-body hives + pale face after an insect bite (anaphylaxis)
- Severely painful burn, or extensive burn
- Choked on something, struggling to breathe or unconscious
- Traffic accident with strong impact
- Near-drowning
- Fall from a height
👨👩👧 Parent's instinct counts
If you look at your child and something feels really wrong — even if you can't say exactly what — call. Operators understand "my child is not acting right." That's enough.
Heat illness (熱中症 · netchūshō)
Tokyo's summer is brutal: temperatures often exceed 35°C / 95°F with extreme humidity. Over 40,000 people are hospitalized for heat illness in Japan every year. Tourists from cooler climates are at high risk because they underestimate it.
Stop and rest the moment you notice
- Dizziness, light-headedness
- Heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin
- Headache, nausea
- Muscle cramps
- Body feels unusually heavy, weak, exhausted
- The person can't drink water on their own
- The person is too weak to walk or stand
- Consciousness is unclear, confusion, doesn't respond normally
- Full-body convulsions
- High body temperature with hot, dry skin (sweating has stopped)
What to do while waiting
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1
Move to a cooler place
Air-conditioned shop, station, café, anywhere indoors. If outside is the only option, find shade and a fan.
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2
Loosen clothing
Open shirt, remove belt, take off any tight items. Lay the person down.
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3
Cool the body fast
Cold packs or ice on the neck, armpits, and groin — areas where large blood vessels run close to the surface. Wet cloth and a fan also work.
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4
Hydrate if they can swallow
Small sips of water with salt, or a sports drink (Pocari Sweat or Aquarius — sold in every convenience store). Never force liquid into someone confused or unconscious.
How locals avoid it
- Drink water before you feel thirsty — once you're thirsty you're already dehydrated.
- Walk on the shady side of the street. Tokyo is full of arcades and underground passages — use them.
- Loose, light, breathable clothing. A hat or umbrella (locals use parasols).
- Take breaks in air-conditioned places every hour. Convenience stores and department stores are your refuge.
- Buy salt candies or "shio-tabe" (塩飴) at any convenience store — Japan's heatwave hack.
- Avoid heavy outdoor activity 11:00–16:00.
English-speaking hospitals in Tokyo
For minor issues, look for a clinic (クリニック) — faster and cheaper than a hospital. For real emergencies, go to a hospital's emergency department or call 119.
💴 You will pay out of pocket
Japan's national health insurance doesn't cover tourists. Expect rough costs:
- Basic clinic visit: ¥5,000–10,000
- Emergency room: ¥30,000–50,000+
- One night admitted: ¥100,000+
Keep every receipt. Submit to your travel insurance when home.
Reliable picks in central Tokyo
St. Luke's International Hospital
Tsukiji. Large general hospital, English on most departments, 24h emergency. Tel: 03-3541-5151.
Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic
Toranomon. Founded for the foreign community, doctors trained abroad. Tel: 03-3436-3028.
Sanno Hospital
Akasaka. International patients service, full range of specialties. Tel: 03-3402-3151.
Seibo International Catholic Hospital
Shimo-Ochiai. Long history of foreign-friendly care, multilingual. Tel: 03-3951-1111.
Tokyo Midtown Clinic
Roppongi. Upscale clinic, English fully supported. Tel: 03-5413-7911.
Hiroo International Clinic
Hiroo. General practice clinic for the expat community. Tel: 03-3473-2057.
Himawari
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government runs Himawari, a free service that helps you find a doctor who speaks your language and is open right now.
- Phone: 03-5285-8181 (English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Spanish — hours vary by language)
- Website: himawari.metro.tokyo.lg.jp — searchable in multiple languages
💊 Bring with you
- Passport (always required)
- Cash or credit card (¥50,000+ recommended)
- Travel insurance details and policy number
- List of your current medications (with generic names if possible)
- A friend to translate, or Google Translate ready
Pharmacies & drugstores
Japan separates two things: drugstores (ドラッグストア · doraggu sutoa) sell over-the-counter medicine, cosmetics, snacks. Pharmacies (薬局 · yakkyoku) inside or near hospitals fill prescriptions.
Found everywhere, many open late or 24h
Matsumoto Kiyoshi
The yellow-and-blue giant. Most stations have one. Some 24h locations in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi.
Welcia
Many 24h branches. Look for the red sign.
Tomod's
Central Tokyo, English signage in tourist areas.
Sundrug
Big chain, often cheaper. Less centrally located.
What to ask for
Pain / fever
Acetaminophen (paracetamol): Tylenol, Bufferin Lunaii
Ibuprofen: Eve, Loxonin S
Cold / flu
Pabron Gold, Lulu, Benza Block. Combination cold meds, very common.
Stomach
Seirogan (diarrhea, dark pills)
Gaster 10 (acid reflux, heartburn)
Allergies
Allegra FX, Claritin EX, Zyrtec. Same active ingredients as abroad.
How to ask for what you need
Do you have medicine for…?
…の薬はありますか？
…no kusuri wa arimasu ka?
I have a headache.
頭が痛いです。
Atama ga itai desu.
I have a cold.
風邪をひきました。
Kaze o hikimashita.
I have a fever.
熱があります。
Netsu ga arimasu.
My stomach hurts.
お腹が痛いです。
Onaka ga itai desu.
I have diarrhea.
下痢をしています。
Geri o shite imasu.
I have allergies.
アレルギーがあります。
Arerugī ga arimasu.
Painkiller, please.
痛み止めをください。
Itamidome o kudasai.
Do I need a prescription?
処方箋が必要ですか？
Shohōsen ga hitsuyō desu ka?
How do I take this?
この薬はどう飲みますか？
Kono kusuri wa dō nomimasu ka?
Check before you fly
Several common Western medications are illegal in Japan and have caused tourists to be detained at the airport. Among them:
- Pseudoephedrine (in Sudafed, many cold meds) — banned
- Codeine-containing painkillers — strict limits
- Adderall and several ADHD medications — banned
- Some asthma inhalers — require declaration
- Cannabis-related products including CBD oil from many countries — restricted
If you take prescription medication, look up "Yakkan Shoumei" (import certificate) before traveling. The Ministry of Health website has a guide in English.
If something gets stolen or lost.
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. But things still happen — pickpockets in nightlife districts, lost wallets, missing passports. Here's what to do.
How to call 110
Dial 110 for the police. Free from any phone. The operator will likely speak only Japanese — if a local is nearby, ask them to call for you. Otherwise, use simple English.
-
110 operator
"Hello, this is 110."
はい、110番です。
Hai, hyaku-tō-ban desu. -
You
Say "English please."
英語お願いします。
Eigo onegaishimasu.
They will transfer you or use a translation line. -
Operator
Will ask: what happened, where you are, who you are.
-
You
Use short sentences. "I was robbed." "Someone is attacking me." "My passport was stolen." Give the address or describe a nearby landmark (convenience store, station name).
📞 Direct English helpline
For non-urgent police matters (lost wallet, theft report after the fact), Tokyo has an English helpline:
Open 8:30 – 17:15 daily. For real emergencies always use 110.
What to say or display on screen
Please call the police.
警察を呼んでください。
Keisatsu o yonde kudasai.
Help me!
助けてください！
Tasukete kudasai!
I was robbed.
強盗にあいました。
Gōtō ni aimashita.
Someone is attacking me.
誰かに襲われています。
Dareka ni osowarete imasu.
My wallet was stolen.
財布を盗まれました。
Saifu o nusumaremashita.
My passport was stolen.
パスポートを盗まれました。
Pasupōto o nusumaremashita.
I am being followed.
誰かにつけられています。
Dareka ni tsukerarete imasu.
Where is the police box (koban)?
交番はどこですか？
Kōban wa doko desu ka?
- Your name and passport number
- Your current address or hotel
- What happened and when
- Description of any suspect (clothing, direction they went)
- Description of stolen items, with serial numbers if possible
Koban (交番 · kōban)
Almost every neighborhood in Japan has a koban — a small police box, usually on a corner near a station, staffed by 1–3 officers. Think of it as a friendly community police outpost, not an intimidating station.
Much more than crime
- Lost or found items — koban officers handle this directly
- Asking directions — yes, locals do this. Officers carry detailed maps.
- Reporting minor theft (pickpocket, lost wallet)
- Getting a "police report" (届出 / tōkedasho) — required by your travel insurance for any claim
- Needing help with anything — they're trained to help confused foreigners
- Look near any train station exit — there's almost always one within 200m
- Google Maps: search "koban" or "police box"
- Identifiable by a red light or red sign outside, and a small building (often a single room)
- Officers wear blue uniforms with a white hat
💡 What to expect
Don't expect fluent English — koban officers usually have very basic English. They'll use translation apps, gestures, and patience. Bring your passport, smile, speak slowly. They are some of the most helpful public servants in the world.
Lost passport
Bad, but recoverable. Follow these steps in order — your embassy will want proof you reported it to Japanese police before issuing an emergency travel document.
-
1
Go to the nearest koban
File a loss/theft report. They will issue a "tōnan shōmei" (盗難証明 — theft certificate) or "ishitsu todoke" (遺失届 — lost item declaration). This paper is essential. Keep multiple copies.
-
2
Contact your embassy
Call them as soon as you have the police paper. They will book you an appointment for an emergency travel document (one-way travel back home) or a replacement passport (longer).
-
3
Gather what you need
For the embassy: police report, a passport photo (photo booths in stations cost ¥800), proof of identity (driver's license, copies, photos of your passport — kept anywhere on cloud or email), proof of travel (return ticket).
-
4
Report to Japanese immigration
If you have time before leaving, the embassy may direct you to Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau in Shinagawa to report the loss and get a re-entry/departure clearance.
-
5
Inform your airline
Your name on the emergency travel document must match your original ticket. Most airlines accept emergency travel docs but may require notification in advance.
📱 Prevention — do this now
- Take a photo of your passport's photo page. Email it to yourself.
- Save your embassy's phone number in your phone contacts.
- Keep a paper copy in your luggage, separate from the original.
- Register with your country's traveler program (most embassies have one) before your trip.
Embassies in Tokyo
Contact information for the most common embassies serving English-speaking and Spanish-speaking travelers. All located in Tokyo. Call before going — most require appointments for non-urgent services.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Ichibancho 1, Chiyoda
+81 3 5211 1100
🇪🇸 Spain
Roppongi 1-3-29, Minato
+81 3 3583 8531
🇫🇷 France
Minamiazabu 4-11-44, Minato
+81 3 5798 6000
🇩🇪 Germany
Minamiazabu 4-5-10, Minato
+81 3 5791 7700
🇮🇹 Italy
Mita 2-5-4, Minato
+81 3 3453 5291
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Shibakoen 3-6-3, Minato
+81 3 5776 5400
🇺🇸 United States
Akasaka 1-10-5, Minato
+81 3 3224 5000
🇨🇦 Canada
Akasaka 7-3-38, Minato
+81 3 5412 6200
🇲🇽 Mexico
Nagatacho 2-15-1, Chiyoda
+81 3 3581 1131
🇦🇷 Argentina
Moto-Azabu 2-14-14, Minato
+81 3 5420 7101
🇨🇱 Chile
Nihonbashi 3-1-15, Chuo
+81 3 3452 7561
🇧🇷 Brazil
Kita-Aoyama 2-11-12, Minato
+81 3 3404 5211
🇦🇺 Australia
Mita 2-1-14, Minato
+81 3 5232 4111
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Kamiyama 20-40, Shibuya
+81 3 3467 2271
🇰🇷 South Korea
Minami-Azabu 1-2-5, Minato
+81 3 3452 7611
🇨🇳 China
Moto-Azabu 3-4-33, Minato
+81 3 3403 3380
⚠ Verify before traveling
Phone numbers and addresses change. Always verify on your embassy's official website before your trip, and save the number in your phone. The Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the official list at mofa.go.jp.
Lost & Found
Japan returns lost items at a rate that astonishes the rest of the world. Wallets full of cash, phones, laptops — they routinely come back. If you've lost something here, you have a real chance of getting it back.
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1
Go back to where you were
If you lost it at a café, restaurant, shop — go back. It's likely still there, often handed to the staff and waiting for you behind the counter.
-
2
The nearest koban
Lost items on the street usually end up at the local koban within hours. Bring your passport. Describe the item in detail. The officer will check their log and the central database.
-
3
Train station Lost & Found
For items left on trains: each railway company has its own lost & found center. Items move centrally after 24h.
JR East
Lost items found on JR trains. 050-2016-1601 (English option available).
Tokyo Metro
For Marunouchi, Hibiya, Ginza, etc. lines. 03-3834-5577.
Toei Subway
For Toei lines (Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, Oedo). 03-3812-2011.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police
Central Lost & Found Center, Iidabashi.
03-3814-4151. Items not claimed at koban after a few days come here.
Taxi
Note the taxi company name from the receipt or door. Call their lost-and-found directly.
Narita / Haneda Airport
Each terminal has its own lost & found counter. Check before leaving the airport.
💡 Tips
- Act fast — even Japan can't return things if you wait weeks.
- Bring your passport when claiming items.
- For valuable items, leave your hotel address and phone — officers may call you when it arrives.
- If you find someone else's lost item, bring it to a koban. Don't try to find them yourself.
Common tourist scams
Japan is one of the safest countries to travel in, but a few specific scams target tourists in nightlife districts and tourist spots. Knowing them is enough to avoid them.
The "let me show you a great bar" trick
A friendly English-speaking man (often Nigerian or African) approaches you on the street in Roppongi or Kabukicho. He invites you to "the best bar in Tokyo," sometimes offering a discount voucher.
Inside, drinks cost ¥30,000 each, hostesses appear, and when you try to leave you face a bill of ¥100,000+. Refusing leads to intimidation. Many have been forced to use ATMs.
Rule: never follow a stranger into a bar. Choose bars yourself, from Google Maps or your hotel's recommendations. If you've been caught, leave a tiny tip and walk out fast — they rarely call police.
"Taxi?" outside the airport / station
Unofficial drivers approach tourists at Narita, Haneda, or major stations offering rides. Fares are 3–5× normal. They don't use meters.
Rule: only use taxis from official taxi stands. Real taxis have a meter, a company logo, and white-gloved drivers. Or use Uber, GO, or DiDi apps.
The bracelet scam in Asakusa
A person dressed as a monk approaches in Asakusa or near Senso-ji, gives you a small bracelet or card, then aggressively asks for a "donation" (¥1,000–5,000).
Rule: real Buddhist monks don't beg in busy tourist areas. Walk away. Return the bracelet if needed.
Rare but happens
Use ATMs inside 7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, or banks. Avoid standalone ATMs in dark areas or sketchy bar districts.
✅ The good news
Pickpocketing is rare. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Walking alone at night in Tokyo is one of the safest experiences on Earth — even at 3 AM in residential areas. Stay aware in nightlife zones, ignore strangers who approach you with deals, and you'll be fine.
Find shelters & hospitals near you
Live map of evacuation shelters, hospitals, police boxes (koban) and pharmacies within ~3 km of your current location. Data from OpenStreetMap. Requires internet — won't work if networks are down.
📍 Tap the button below to find places near you.
Nearest places
⚠ Important
In a real emergency where networks fail, this map won't load. Use the guide sections (Earthquakes, Tsunamis…) which work fully offline. When in doubt, follow green-and-white evacuation signs on the street — Japan has them everywhere.
My Emergency Card
Fill this once. If you're injured or unconscious, paramedics and police can read your details from your phone. Everything is saved on your device only — nothing is sent anywhere.
Japanese phrases for emergencies
Show your phone to a local. The Japanese text is large enough for them to read instantly. Romaji (Latin spelling) is included so you can attempt to say it.
🆘 How to use this page
Pick a category from the tabs below. In an emergency, hand your phone to a Japanese person and point to the relevant card — don't try to pronounce, let them read.
Help! It's an emergency.
助けてください！緊急です。
Tasukete kudasai! Kinkyū desu.
Please call an ambulance.
救急車を呼んでください。
Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.
Please call the police.
警察を呼んでください。
Keisatsu o yonde kudasai.
I am a foreign tourist.
外国人観光客です。
Gaikokujin kankōkyaku desu.
I don't speak Japanese.
日本語が話せません。
Nihongo ga hanasemasen.
Do you speak English?
英語が話せますか？
Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?
Please speak slowly.
ゆっくり話してください。
Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.
I need a doctor.
医者が必要です。
Isha ga hitsuyō desu.
It hurts here.
ここが痛いです。
Koko ga itai desu.
I'm allergic to…
…にアレルギーがあります。
…ni arerugī ga arimasu.
I'm pregnant.
妊娠しています。
Ninshin shite imasu.
I take this medicine.
この薬を飲んでいます。
Kono kusuri o nonde imasu.
I have travel insurance.
旅行保険があります。
Ryokō hoken ga arimasu.
Where is the hospital?
病院はどこですか？
Byōin wa doko desu ka?
My chest hurts.
胸が痛いです。
Mune ga itai desu.
I can't breathe well.
息ができません。
Iki ga dekimasen.
Where is the evacuation shelter?
避難所はどこですか？
Hinanjo wa doko desu ka?
Is it safe?
安全ですか？
Anzen desu ka?
I'm trapped.
閉じ込められています。
Tojikomerarete imasu.
Is the train running?
電車は動いていますか？
Densha wa ugoite imasu ka?
I lost my passport.
パスポートをなくしました。
Pasupōto o nakushimashita.
I was robbed / I was stolen from.
盗まれました。
Nusumaremashita.
Where is the police box (koban)?
交番はどこですか？
Kōban wa doko desu ka?
I lost my wallet.
財布をなくしました。
Saifu o nakushimashita.
Please help me.
助けてください。
Tasukete kudasai.
Where am I?
ここはどこですか？
Koko wa doko desu ka?
Please call this number.
この番号に電話してください。
Kono bangō ni denwa shite kudasai.
Please write the address.
住所を書いてください。
Jūsho o kaite kudasai.