Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world — but accidents happen, illnesses strike without warning, and sometimes you just feel unwell far from home. Knowing exactly who to call and what to say before an emergency happens could make all the difference.
\\n\\n\\n\\nLast updated: March 2026. Medically reviewed by the medical team at SAKURA International Clinic Asakusa.
\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nThis guide gives you the essential emergency numbers for Japan tourists, plain English instructions for using them, and practical advice on getting the right level of care in Tokyo.
\\n\\n\\n\\nFrequently Asked Questions
\\n\\n\\n\\nWhat is the emergency number in Tokyo for an ambulance?
\\n\\n\\n\\nCall 119 for an ambulance or fire emergency in Tokyo. The operator may speak limited English — say “kyukyusha kudasai” (ambulance please) and state your location. Ambulance service in Japan is free of charge. Average response time in Tokyo is 7–8 minutes. For police emergencies, call 110.
\\n\\n\\n\\nIs the ambulance free in Japan?
\\n\\n\\n\\nYes, ambulance service in Japan is completely free — there is no charge for the ride regardless of your nationality or insurance status. However, the hospital treatment you receive after arrival will be billed normally. Without insurance, ER treatment typically costs ¥20,000–¥50,000 or more depending on the condition.
\\n\\n\\n\\nCan I call an English-speaking emergency service in Tokyo?
\\n\\n\\n\\nThe Tokyo Fire Department’s 119 line has some English support, but fluency varies. For guaranteed English assistance, call the TELL Lifeline at 03-5774-0992 or the Japan Helpline at 0570-000-911 (24 hours). AMDA Medical Information Center (03-6233-9266) provides medical emergency guidance in English during business hours.
\\n\\n\\n\\nWhat should I do in a medical emergency in Tokyo if I don’t speak Japanese?
\\n\\n\\n\\nCall 119 and say “English please” — basic English support is available. Alternatively, ask hotel staff or any nearby Japanese person to call for you. Use translation apps like Google Translate in conversation mode. Emergency responders will take you to the nearest available hospital regardless of language barriers.
\\n\\n\\n\\nWhen should I call an ambulance versus going to a clinic in Tokyo?
\\n\\n\\n\\nCall 119 for life-threatening conditions: chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, stroke symptoms, or serious injuries. For non-emergencies like fever, cold, minor pain, or mild allergic reactions, visit a clinic during business hours or an after-hours clinic. Misusing ambulances may result in longer waits for critical patients.
\\n\\n\\n\\nThe Most Important Numbers to Save Right Now
\\n\\n\\n\\nBefore you do anything else, save these three numbers in your phone. You don’t need to memorize all of them — just having them ready means you won’t be scrambling to look them up when you’re stressed and unwell.
\\n\\n\\n\\n| Number | Use For | English Support |
|---|---|---|
| 119 | Ambulance / Fire | Yes (limited, improving) |
| 110 | Police | Yes (translation line available) |
| #7119 | Medical consultation (not sure if emergency) | Yes (Tokyo only) |
119 — Ambulance and Fire
\\n\\n\\n\\nThis is Japan’s equivalent of calling 911 or 999. Dial 119 for any medical emergency — unconsciousness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, serious injury, or anything that feels life-threatening. It also covers fire emergencies.
\\n\\n\\n\\n110 — Police
\\n\\n\\n\\nCall 110 for crimes, accidents on the road, lost passports, or any situation that requires police involvement. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police operate a foreign language assistance line, so language is not a barrier.
\\n\\n\\n\\n#7119 — Not Sure? Call This First
\\n\\n\\n\\nThis is Tokyo’s 24-hour medical consultation hotline. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are serious enough to warrant an ambulance or emergency room, call #7119 first. A nurse or doctor will advise you on what to do next. English support is available.
\\n\\n\\n\\nHow to Call 119 — Japan’s Ambulance Service
\\n\\n\\n\\nCalling 119 as a tourist in Japan can feel daunting, especially if you don’t speak Japanese. Here’s exactly what to do, step by step.
\\n\\n\\n\\nEnglish Support Is Available
\\n\\n\\n\\nTokyo Fire Department, which dispatches ambulances, has improved its English-language response significantly in recent years. Many dispatch operators speak basic English, and a three-way interpreter service can be connected if needed. Don’t let the language barrier stop you from calling — call first, communicate as best you can.
\\n\\n\\n\\nWhat to Say When They Answer
\\n\\n\\n\\nThe first thing the operator will ask is: “Kaji desu ka? Kyukyu desu ka?” — which means “Is this a fire or an ambulance?” Simply say:
\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n“Ambulance, please. Kyukyu.”
After that, the operator will guide you through the rest. Here is the key information you should be ready to share:
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- Your location: Give your full address, hotel name, or describe a nearby landmark. If you’re inside a building, state the floor number. \\n
- What happened: Describe symptoms simply — “chest pain,” “not breathing,” “fell and hit head,” “very high fever.” \\n
- Your name and the patient’s age \\n
- Your phone number so they can call back if needed \\n
Finding Your Location in Tokyo
\\n\\n\\n\\nOne of the hardest things in a medical emergency is describing exactly where you are. Here are three quick ways to get your location in English:
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- Open Google Maps and share your current location coordinates \\n
- Look for the building’s address posted near the entrance or elevator — Japanese buildings always display their address \\n
- Tell the operator the name of the nearest train station and any major intersection or landmark \\n
What Happens After You Call
\\n\\n\\n\\nTokyo’s ambulance response time averages around 8–9 minutes. Paramedics will assess you on the scene and transport you to the most appropriate hospital. You do not choose the hospital — the dispatcher determines this based on your condition and available capacity. Keep your travel insurance card and passport with you if possible.
\\n\\n\\n\\nNote: In Japan, ambulance calls are free. However, emergency room treatment at hospitals carries a cost, and hospitals may require upfront payment if you don’t have travel insurance documentation.
\\n\\n\\n\\n#7119 — When You’re Not Sure If It’s an Emergency
\\n\\n\\n\\nOne of the most genuinely useful resources for tourists in Tokyo is #7119, the Tokyo Emergency Medical Consultation Hotline.
\\n\\n\\n\\nYou’ve probably experienced this: you feel unwell but you’re not sure if it’s serious. Is a high fever worth an emergency room visit? Should you be worried about that stomach pain? This is exactly what #7119 is designed for.
\\n\\n\\n\\nWhat #7119 Offers
\\n\\n\\n\\n- \\n
- Available 24 hours a day, every day of the year \\n
- Staffed by nurses and doctors who assess your symptoms \\n
- Can advise you to call 119 immediately, go to an emergency room, or wait and see a clinic the next morning \\n
- English interpretation available through a connected service \\n
- Can also help direct you to nearby hospitals or urgent care facilities \\n
This hotline exists specifically to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and ambulance calls — so using it is genuinely encouraged. If you’re a tourist facing a medical emergency in Japan and you’re unsure what level of care you need, #7119 is the right first call.
\\n\\n\\n\\nNote: #7119 is available throughout Tokyo. If you are in another prefecture, the equivalent service may use a different number — check with your hotel’s front desk when you arrive.
\\n\\n\\n\\nAMDA International Medical Information Center
\\n\\n\\n\\nIf you need a human guide to help you navigate Japan’s medical system — in your own language — the AMDA International Medical Information Center is an invaluable resource.
\\n\\n\\n\\nPhone: 03-6233-9266
\\n\\n\\n\\nAMDA offers multilingual medical information and interpretation support for foreigners in Japan. Their services include:
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- Helping you find English-speaking doctors and clinics near you \\n
- Providing telephone interpretation during medical consultations (in some cases) \\n
- Explaining Japan’s medical system, paperwork, and payment processes \\n
- Offering guidance in multiple languages including English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, and more \\n
Their hours are typically weekdays 9:00–20:00 and weekends 9:00–17:00 (hours subject to change — confirm on their website). For a non-emergency situation where you’re confused about what to do or where to go, this is one of the best calls you can make as a tourist navigating a medical emergency in Japan.
\\n\\n\\n\\nEmbassy Emergency Contacts
\\n\\n\\n\\nYour country’s embassy or consulate in Tokyo can provide critical assistance in a serious emergency — lost passports, hospitalization, or situations requiring official support. Most operate 24-hour emergency lines for citizens abroad.
\\n\\n\\n\\nHere are the emergency contact numbers for major embassies in Tokyo:
\\n\\n\\n\\n| Country | Embassy Emergency Number |
|---|---|
| United States | 03-3224-5000 |
| United Kingdom | 03-5211-1100 |
| Australia | 03-5232-4111 |
| Canada | 03-5412-6200 |
| France | 03-5798-6000 |
| Germany | 03-5791-7700 |
| South Korea | 03-3452-7611 |
| China | 03-3403-3380 |
If your country is not listed, search “[your country] embassy Tokyo emergency” before your trip and save the number. Most embassy websites list a dedicated 24-hour emergency line for citizens in distress abroad.
\\n\\n\\n\\nYour embassy cannot pay your medical bills, but they can help you contact family, arrange emergency travel documents, and connect you with local support services.
\\n\\n\\n\\nWhen to Go to a Clinic vs. an Emergency Room
\\n\\n\\n\\nJapan’s emergency rooms are reserved for genuine emergencies. Showing up at an ER for a non-emergency condition often means a very long wait, much higher costs, and staff who may not have the time to provide the level of attention you’d receive at a dedicated clinic.
\\n\\n\\n\\nHere’s a simple guide to help you decide.
\\n\\n\\n\\nGo to a Clinic If You Have:
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- Fever, cold, or flu symptoms \\n
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (that isn’t severe) \\n
- Mild to moderate headache \\n
- Minor cuts, scrapes, or burns \\n
- Skin rash, allergic reaction (mild, no breathing difficulty) \\n
- Urinary tract infection symptoms \\n
- Eye irritation or minor ear problems \\n
- Dental pain (a clinic can provide referral or initial pain management) \\n
- Need for prescription medication refill \\n
- Anxiety about a symptom that isn’t worsening \\n
Go to an Emergency Room (or Call 119) If You Have:
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- Chest pain, tightness, or pressure \\n
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath \\n
- Signs of stroke: face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty \\n
- Severe allergic reaction (throat tightening, hives spreading rapidly) \\n
- Loss of consciousness or near-fainting \\n
- Head injury with confusion or vomiting \\n
- Severe abdominal pain that comes on suddenly \\n
- High fever in young children or infants \\n
- Deep wounds, heavy bleeding that won’t stop \\n
- Suspected poisoning or overdose \\n
- Serious injury from an accident or fall \\n
If you’re not sure which category you fall into, call #7119 or visit a trusted English-speaking clinic first. For tourists in the Asakusa area and central Tokyo, our referral network can help connect you with the right level of care quickly.
\\n\\n\\n\\nAfter the Emergency — Your Next Steps
\\n\\n\\n\\nOnce the immediate crisis has passed, there are a few important things to take care of — especially if you want to get reimbursed through travel insurance or need continued medical care.
\\n\\n\\n\\nCollect All Medical Documentation
\\n\\n\\n\\nJapanese hospitals and clinics will give you a receipt and sometimes a short discharge summary. Keep everything. Your travel insurance provider will need:
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- Itemized receipts for all treatments, tests, and medications \\n
- A medical certificate or doctor’s note explaining your diagnosis and treatment \\n
- Proof of payment \\n
If you were seen at a Japanese-language hospital, ask specifically for an eibun shindansho (英文診断書) — a medical certificate written in English — or ask your clinic to help you obtain a translated summary. This makes the insurance claim process significantly smoother.
\\n\\n\\n\\nContact Your Travel Insurance Provider
\\n\\n\\n\\nMost travel insurance policies require you to notify them within a set window — sometimes within 24–48 hours of receiving emergency treatment. Check your policy documents for this requirement. Many insurers have 24-hour emergency helplines you can call from anywhere in the world.
\\n\\n\\n\\nFor step-by-step guidance on submitting a medical insurance claim from Japan, see our insurance claim guide.
\\n\\n\\n\\nFollow-Up Care
\\n\\n\\n\\nIf you were prescribed medication or told to follow up with a doctor, don’t skip this step even if you’re feeling better. Many conditions — particularly infections — can recur or worsen if treatment is stopped early.
\\n\\n\\n\\nIf you need a follow-up consultation in English before you leave Tokyo, or a second opinion on a diagnosis you received at a Japanese-language hospital, an English-speaking clinic can provide this quickly and without the intimidating paperwork of a large hospital.
\\n\\n\\n\\nNotify Your Hotel and Travel Companions
\\n\\n\\n\\nIf you’ve been admitted to a hospital or received significant treatment, let your hotel know. Hotel staff in Tokyo are often surprisingly helpful in these situations — they may be able to assist with translation, communication with the hospital, or logistics for a changed itinerary. Your travel companions also deserve to know your situation so they can support you appropriately.
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Related Pages
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- Referral Network — Find the Right Doctor in Tokyo \\n
- Symptom Checker — What Kind of Care Do You Need? \\n
- Insurance Claim Guide — Getting Reimbursed After Treatment in Japan \\n\\n
- Sick in Tokyo? Tourist’s Guide \\n
- Essential Japanese Medical Phrases \\n\\n\\n
- Earthquakes and Typhoons in Japan \\n\\n
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Need Help? We’re Here for You.
\\n\\n\\n\\nSAKURA International Clinic Asakusa is open every day, 9:00–17:00, just one minute from Asakusa Station. Walk-ins welcome. All consultations in English.
\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nComprehensive consultation: ¥55,000 (includes exam, prescription, basic tests, and medical certificate if needed).
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