Japan Travel Safety Guide

Emergency numbers and visitor support

Call 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance. JNTO publishes a 24-hour Japan Visitor Hotline for emergency support and provides multilingual safety resources; verify the current number on the official page before travel.

Save your insurer, card issuers, accommodation, embassy or consulate and the next of kin. Keep a secure passport copy and policy details separate.

Earthquakes, typhoons and heat

Familiarize yourself with the accommodation’s evacuation route and do not run outside during strong shaking. Follow official alerts and staff instructions. After an event, expect transport checks and preserve phone battery.

Typhoons can suspend services before the worst weather arrives. Summer heat is another serious risk: hydrate, rest in cooled spaces and reduce exposed midday activity.

• Enable official emergency alerts where available.
• Keep shoes, phone and power bank accessible at night.
• Carry water and a small cash reserve.
• Do not cross barriers around coasts, rivers or volcano areas.

Everyday crime and nightlife

Continue using ordinary precautions even in a low-crime environment. Control drinks, avoid following street touts into unknown venues and check charges before ordering in nightlife districts.

If property is lost, ask station staff, the venue or a local koban police box. Japan’s lost-property systems are effective, but a police report may still be needed for insurance.

Health and travel insurance

Travel insurance should cover medical care, evacuation and the activities on the itinerary. Carry enough legal medication and know how to access a multilingual medical provider through official visitor resources.

For hikes, winter sports or remote islands, share the route, check local warnings and avoid depending on continuous mobile coverage.