Handbook · 安心

Safety and emergencies

The numbers to call, who answers in English, and what to do in an earthquake. Everything on this page is the Japan National Tourism Organization's own advice, checked on the day shown.

01 · Who to call

The numbers to know

For police, 110; for a fire or an ambulance, 119. Most organisations have English-speaking staff, JNTO says.

  1. 110
    Police

    Urgent: crime, an accident, something you need the police for now.

    JNTO, Japan Visitor Hotline page ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. 119
    Fire and ambulance

    Urgent: a fire, or someone who needs an ambulance.

    JNTO, Japan Visitor Hotline page ↗checked 1 October 2026

  3. 050-3816-2787
    Japan Visitor HotlineFrom abroad +81-50-3816-2787

    Run by JNTO, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English, Chinese and Korean: help after an accident, an illness or a natural disaster, and general tourist information.

    JNTO, Japan Visitor Hotline page ↗checked 1 October 2026

  4. 03-3501-0110
    Tokyo police, in English

    The Metropolitan Police in Tokyo keep an English helpline, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  5. 0570-550-142
    Lost and found (police)

    For something you left behind, under the police numbers on JNTO's list.

    JNTO, Japan Visitor Hotline page ↗checked 1 October 2026

02 · If you feel ill

Finding a doctor

For an emergency, 119. For everything short of one, these are the guides JNTO points to.

  1. Guide for when you are feeling ill

    The Japan Tourism Agency's guide: how to find a medical institution, how to search, and what to expect. In English, Chinese and Korean.

    Open the guide

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. AMDA International Medical Information Center

    A medical questionnaire in many languages, and other information for seeing a doctor.

    AMDA

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  3. 03-5774-0992
    Tokyo English Life Line (TELL)

    Mental health support. Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

03 · Earthquakes, typhoons, tsunami

When the ground shakes

Earthquakes are common in Japan and most go unnoticed. JNTO's advice for a large one, in its own order.

  1. Stay calm and follow the staff

    If you are inside during a larger earthquake, stay calm and follow any instructions staff give.

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. Find the way out when you check in

    When you check into a hotel, look up where the evacuation routes are, so you know where to go.

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  3. Put out any flame

    Fire is the most dangerous secondary disaster: extinguish any naked flame as quickly as possible.

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  4. By the sea, go up

    If you are near the coast when a large earthquake strikes, head for higher ground in case of a tsunami.

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  5. Keep your phone charged

    Your phone and devices can be indispensable in any emergency.

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

04 · Alerts in English

Where the warnings come from

For a typhoon, an earthquake, a tsunami or a volcanic eruption, these are the official places to look.

  1. Safety Tips (app)

    The Japan Tourism Agency's app for visitors: it pushes earthquake early warnings, tsunami warnings and other weather warnings in English and 14 more languages, with an evacuation flowchart and phrases for asking the people around you.

    Get the app

    Japan Tourism Agency, the Safety tips app page ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. Japan Safe Travel Information

    JNTO's page for significant natural disasters and what they change for visitors.

    Open the page

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  3. NHK WORLD-JAPAN

    The public broadcaster's English news, on the web and in its app.

    The NHK app

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

05 · Before you go

Two things to do at home

  1. Travel insurance

    Sign up for travel insurance with adequate cover before you leave.

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. Copies of your passport

    Make a couple of copies: keep one with you and leave one at home, in case you need a replacement from your embassy.

    JNTO, Staying Safe in Japan ↗checked 1 October 2026

This page repeats official advice; it is not a substitute for it. In an emergency, call 110 or 119 first. Every line names where it comes from; the newest was checked 1 October 2026.