Medical Emergency in Japan – What to Do as a Tourist

Medical emergencies are frightening anywhere, and even more so when you do not speak the local language. This guide walks you step by step through what to do, who to call, what to bring, and what happens next if you or someone with you faces a medical emergency in Japan.

When to Call 119

In Japan, dial 119 for an ambulance or fire emergency. The call is free, and so is the ambulance ride. Use 119 for any condition that may be life-threatening or that you cannot safely manage on your own:

Loss of consciousness, fainting, or someone you cannot wake up
Difficulty breathing or choking
Chest pain or suspected heart attack
Sudden weakness, numbness, slurred speech, or facial drooping (possible stroke)
Severe bleeding that does not stop with pressure
Serious injury from an accident, fall, or traffic incident
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
Seizures, especially if longer than five minutes or in someone who has never had one
High fever with confusion, especially in a child
Severe burns or near-drowning

How to Call 119 — Step by Step

Dial 119 from any phone. Mobile phones, landlines, hotel phones, and public phones all work, with no area code needed.
When the operator answers, say “Kyukyu desu” (“It is an emergency”) or “Kyukyusha onegaishimasu” (“Please send an ambulance”).
If you do not speak Japanese, say “English please” clearly. Major-city dispatch centers can connect a three-way call with an English interpreter within a minute or two.
Provide the operator with: your location, the patient’s symptoms, the number of people involved, and the patient’s nationality and approximate age.
Give a callback number (your mobile) so the dispatcher or paramedics can reach you if needed.
Do not hang up until the operator confirms help is on the way. Stay on the line if they ask you to.

Telling Them Where You Are

Location is the single most important piece of information. Speed depends on it.

If you are in a hotel: the fastest option is to call the front desk and have them call 119 for you. They will know the exact address and can also guide paramedics to your room.
If you are at a known venue: give the building name (for example, “Tokyo Skytree”, “Universal Studios Japan”) plus the floor or area.
If you are outdoors or unsure of the address: open Google Maps, drop a pin on your location, and read out the address shown. The nearest train station, intersection, or large landmark also works.
If language is a barrier: ask any nearby person to take the call — most Japanese people will help in an emergency, even with limited English.

#7119 — Emergency Consultation Line

If you are unsure whether your condition truly needs an ambulance, Japan offers a triage hotline: #7119. A nurse or trained operator listens to your symptoms and advises whether to call 119, visit an emergency department by other means, or wait until clinics open.

Available in: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Saitama, Kobe, Fukuoka, and a growing number of prefectures. Coverage outside major areas varies, so 119 is the safer default if you are unsure.
Cost: only standard call charges; the consultation itself is free.
Languages: Japanese is primary; some centers (notably Tokyo) offer English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese support.
When to use it: moderate fever, persistent vomiting, mild chest discomfort, a wound you are unsure about, or any situation where you cannot decide between “wait at home” and “call an ambulance.”

If at any point during the call your symptoms worsen, or the operator advises it, hang up and dial 119.

What Happens When the Ambulance Arrives

Knowing what to expect helps you stay calm and cooperate effectively with paramedics.

On-scene assessment. Paramedics check vital signs — blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation (SpO2) — and ask brief questions about what happened, current symptoms, and known medical conditions or allergies.
Stabilization. If needed, they administer oxygen, control bleeding, immobilize injuries, and prepare the patient for transport.
Hospital selection. The paramedics — not you — choose the receiving hospital. They contact emergency departments in the area, looking for one that has the right specialists on duty and that can accept an international patient. At night or on weekends this can take longer than expected.
During transport. One companion (family member, friend, or hotel staff) is usually allowed to ride along. If you are alone and able, share your phone’s translation app with the crew — it helps a great deal.
At the hospital. Triage staff assess severity, then a doctor will examine the patient. Tests may include blood work, ECG, X-ray, CT, or ultrasound. Hospitals increasingly use translation tablets or telephone interpretation, but a friend or relative who can interpret is still a major help.

Always carry your passport and travel insurance documents. If you cannot, ask someone in your group to bring them to the hospital as soon as possible.

Common Emergency Situations for Tourists

Below are the situations international visitors most often face. In every case, calling 119 quickly is better than waiting and hoping symptoms improve.

Chest pain or difficulty breathing. Call 119 immediately. Have the patient sit upright and stay still. Do not give food or drink. If you have aspirin and the patient is not allergic, you may be advised by the dispatcher to give one.
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Call 119 immediately. If the patient carries an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), use it without delay — press firmly into the outer thigh and hold for several seconds. Lay the patient flat with legs raised, unless they are vomiting or struggling to breathe.
Head injury or loss of consciousness. Call 119. Do not move the patient unless they are in immediate danger (fire, traffic). Keep the head and neck still. Do not give food or drink. Watch for vomiting, confusion, unequal pupils, or fluid from the nose or ears.
Broken bone or severe sprain. If the bone is visibly deformed, the patient cannot move the limb, or there is severe pain, call 119. For less severe injuries, a taxi to an emergency hospital is acceptable. Do not try to straighten a broken limb.
Severe burns. Cool the burned area with cool (not ice-cold) running water for at least 20 minutes. Remove any jewelry or tight clothing near the burn before swelling starts. Do not apply ointments, butter, or ice. Cover loosely with a clean cloth and call 119 for any burn larger than the patient’s palm, on the face, hands, feet, or genitals, or in a child or elderly person.
Heat stroke. Move the patient into shade or air conditioning, loosen clothing, and cool the body with damp cloths or ice packs at the neck, armpits, and groin. Sip cool water if conscious. Call 119 if there is confusion, fainting, no sweating, or a body temperature above 40°C / 104°F.
Near-drowning. Call 119 immediately. Notify any beach lifeguard or pool staff; they can begin care before the ambulance arrives. Even if the person seems to recover, they should still go to a hospital — secondary drowning can occur hours later.

Emergency Hospitals in Major Cities

Larger hospitals (byouin) in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and other major cities operate 24-hour emergency departments. Our city guides list facilities suited to international visitors:

If you are in a regional area or rural location, ask your hotel or ryokan front desk to call 119 on your behalf — they will know the nearest hospital with emergency capability and can give the dispatcher a precise address in Japanese.

Important: online doctor consultations are not appropriate for true emergencies. They are designed for non-urgent symptoms and routine care. If symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, call 119 first and use online services only for follow-up afterward.

What to Bring to the Hospital

If time allows, bring or send a companion with the following:

Passport. Required for hospital registration; a clear photo on your phone is acceptable as a backup.
Travel insurance certificate. Bring your policy number and the 24-hour emergency assistance phone number. Most insurers can coordinate directly with the hospital.
List of current medications. Include dosages and the conditions they treat. Generic (international) drug names are most useful; the original packaging or a photo of it works as a backup.
Allergy and medical history notes. Especially important for severe allergies, diabetes, heart conditions, anticoagulant therapy, or pregnancy.
A credit card. Most large hospitals accept major credit cards, but smaller facilities and some rural hospitals are cash-only. Carry enough yen if possible.
Your smartphone. A translation app (Google Translate, DeepL) and a stable internet connection are invaluable for communicating with staff and contacting your insurer or embassy.

Insurance & Cost for Emergency Care

The ambulance is free. Hospital care is not, and costs add up quickly for serious cases.

Approximate Costs Without Insurance

Ambulance transport: ¥0 (free)
Emergency room visit (minor): ¥10,000 – ¥30,000
Emergency room with imaging or procedures: ¥30,000 – ¥100,000+
Hospital admission, per night: ¥20,000 – ¥50,000 (general ward), much higher for ICU
Major surgery or extended ICU stay: several hundred thousand to several million yen

Using Travel Insurance

Call your travel insurance provider’s 24-hour assistance line as early as possible — ideally before admission, or immediately afterward if the patient is unconscious. Insurers can:

Set up cashless billing directly with the hospital, so you pay nothing or only a small co-pay on discharge.
Issue a guarantee of payment letter that the hospital often requires before admission for a major procedure.
Help with logistics: family notification, translator support, and medical evacuation or repatriation in serious cases.

If You Have No Travel Insurance

Hospitals will still treat genuine emergencies. You will be billed afterward; for very large bills, hospitals can sometimes arrange installment payments or discounts. Consider also contacting your embassy — they cannot pay your bill, but they can advise on emergency loans or contact family on your behalf.

After the Emergency

Once the immediate danger has passed, paperwork and follow-up matter for both your recovery and any insurance claim.

Request an itemized receipt (ryoshusho) and a medical certificate (shindansho), ideally in English. Most insurers require both. Hospitals may charge an additional fee (typically ¥3,000 – ¥5,000) for an English-language certificate.
Keep every document. Discharge summary, prescription receipts, ambulance use confirmation, taxi receipts to and from the hospital — all are commonly reimbursable.
Follow-up care. Ask the discharging doctor whether you need a follow-up visit, what symptoms should prompt a return to the hospital, and whether you are fit to fly. For some conditions (recent surgery, pneumothorax, severe infection) airlines require a fit-to-fly certificate.
Filing the claim. Most insurers accept claims after you return home. Submit the certificate, itemized bills, payment receipts, and a copy of your travel itinerary. Keep digital copies of everything.

Prevention & Preparation

Most of the difference between a smooth emergency and a chaotic one is decided before the trip starts.

Buy travel insurance with medical coverage. Coverage of at least USD 100,000 is sensible; USD 250,000+ is advisable for older travelers or anyone with pre-existing conditions. Check that emergency medical evacuation is included.
Prepare a one-page medical summary in English. List your conditions, current medications (with generic names and doses), allergies, blood type if known, and your home doctor’s contact. Carry a paper copy and store a photo on your phone.
Save key contacts on your phone before you arrive. Your insurer’s 24-hour line, your country’s embassy in Japan, your travel companions’ numbers, and the addresses of your accommodations in both English and Japanese.
Save your hotel address in Japanese. If you ever need to give your location to a 119 dispatcher, having a Japanese-script address ready (screenshot or note) avoids translation problems.
Know basic first aid. CPR, treating bleeding, recognizing signs of stroke and heart attack — these skills can save a life in the minutes before the ambulance arrives.

Important Phone Numbers

119 — Ambulance and fire (medical emergencies). Free.
110 — Police. Free.
#7119 — Emergency consultation line, available in Tokyo, Osaka, and a growing number of prefectures. Use this when unsure whether to call 119.
Japan Visitor Hotline (Japan National Tourism Organization): 050-3816-2787 — 24-hour multilingual support including medical guidance.
Your travel insurance 24-hour assistance line — check your policy and save it in your phone before traveling.
Your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan — numbers vary by country; look these up before your trip and store them offline.

#7119 – Japan’s Free Medical Consultation Hotline

Japan operates a free medical consultation phone service called #7119. This service may help you determine whether your symptoms require immediate emergency care or whether a clinic visit the following day may be appropriate.

How to Use #7119

Dial #7119 from any phone in Japan
Available 24 hours a day in most major prefectures
Operated by local fire departments and medical professionals
English support may be available in some regions — confirm availability when you call
The service may advise you to call 119 for an ambulance, visit an emergency room, or wait until morning

Coverage Areas

As of 2024, #7119 is available in Tokyo, Osaka, and many other prefectures. Coverage may vary by region. If #7119 is not available in your area, consider calling your local municipal office or a hospital’s main line for guidance.

When to Call 119 Instead

If you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, or any condition you feel may be life-threatening, call 119 immediately rather than #7119.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is it okay to call an ambulance in Japan for a non-life-threatening condition?

119 is intended for true emergencies and conditions where you cannot safely transport the patient yourself. For urgent but non-critical situations, consider #7119 (in supported prefectures) or a taxi to a hospital’s emergency department. When in genuine doubt, call — an unnecessary call is far better than a delayed response to a serious condition.

Q. Are ambulances free in Japan?

Yes. Both the 119 call and the ambulance ride are free for all residents and visitors. You will, however, be charged for medical care once you arrive at the hospital. Note that some Japanese cities have begun discussing fees for clearly non-emergency ambulance use, but this is not yet standard nationally.

Q. Will emergency room doctors speak English?

It depends on the hospital. International hospitals in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto often have English-speaking staff. Smaller and regional hospitals may rely on translation tablets, telephone interpretation, or family interpretation. Bringing a friend who speaks Japanese, or having a translation app ready, makes a meaningful difference.

Q. Can I choose which hospital to go to?

Generally no. When you call 119, the paramedics decide based on your condition, the specialists on duty, and which hospital can accept you. If you have a strong preference (for example, a specific international clinic where your records are held), tell the paramedics — they can sometimes accommodate it for non-critical cases, but life-threatening conditions go to the nearest capable facility.

Q. What if I do not have travel insurance?

Hospitals will still treat any genuine emergency. You will receive a bill, and you are legally responsible for paying it. Many hospitals can arrange installment plans for large amounts. Your country’s embassy can help with emergency loans, contacting family, and translation, but they will not pay medical bills directly.

Q. How do I pay for emergency care?

Most large hospitals in cities accept major credit cards. Smaller hospitals and some rural facilities are cash-only. If your travel insurer offers cashless coverage, ask the hospital to coordinate with them — you may pay nothing on discharge. Otherwise you pay first, then claim reimbursement after returning home.

Q. What is #7119?

#7119 is Japan’s emergency consultation line. A nurse or trained operator listens to your symptoms and advises whether you should call 119, go to a hospital by other means, or wait until clinics open. It is available in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and a growing list of prefectures, with English support in some areas. Use it when you are unsure whether your situation truly needs an ambulance.

In an Emergency, Call 119 First

If life or limb is at risk, call 119 immediately — the ambulance is free and operators in major cities can connect you with English interpretation. Online doctor consultations are not a substitute for emergency care.

For non-emergency symptoms, follow-up after a hospital visit, or simply to talk to a doctor while traveling, TravelCare.jp can help you connect with English-speaking physicians across Japan.

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