Japan consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world for tourists. Violent crime is rare, lost wallets are frequently returned intact, and the infrastructure for handling emergencies — from natural disasters to medical situations — is well organised. But "safe" does not mean "nothing can go wrong." This guide covers the real scenarios tourists face and how to handle them.
1. Emergency Numbers
The JNTO Tourist Information Helpline (050-3816-2787) is available 24 hours, 365 days in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. It is the first number to call for any non-emergency situation where you need guidance in your own language.
2. Scenario: Lost Wallet or Valuables
What to do immediately
- Retrace your steps to where you last had the item
- Go to the nearest police box (koban — the small police stations found throughout every Japanese city)
- If lost on a train or bus, go to the lost and found counter at the terminal station of that line
- File a lost property report — you will receive a reference number to check on the item
- If your passport is missing, contact your country's embassy or consulate in Japan
Japan has an extraordinary rate of lost property recovery. Wallets returned to police boxes are held for three months and regularly returned with all cash intact. This is not guaranteed, but it happens frequently enough that reporting a loss is always worth doing. Tokyo Metro's lost and found centres receive millions of items annually and return the vast majority.
3. Scenario: Medical Emergency or Illness
What to do
- For a life-threatening emergency, call 119 immediately
- For non-urgent illness, go to a hospital or clinic — many accept walk-ins
- Call the JNTO helpline (050-3816-2787) for a list of English-speaking hospitals near you
- Keep your travel insurance documentation accessible — hospitals will ask for it
- Upfront payment may be required — Japan's healthcare system does not automatically cover foreign visitors
Japan has an excellent healthcare system. Hospital care is high quality and wait times at clinics are generally reasonable. The main practical challenge for tourists is the language barrier and the requirement to pay upfront (reimbursed later via travel insurance). University hospitals in major cities typically have international departments with English-speaking staff.
Useful medical phrases
4. Scenario: Earthquake
Japan experiences frequent earthquakes. Most are minor and barely felt. The country has highly developed earthquake preparedness infrastructure, and tourists are unlikely to experience a major earthquake, but knowing the basics is sensible.
During an earthquake
- Drop, cover, and hold on — get under a sturdy table or desk; cover your head and neck
- Move away from windows and anything that could fall
- If outside, move away from buildings, power lines, and overpasses; crouch and protect your head
- Do not run outside from a building during shaking
- After the shaking stops, be alert for aftershocks and potential tsunami warnings if near the coast
Your hotel will have earthquake procedures posted on the door. Japanese buildings constructed after 1981 meet strict seismic standards. Modern hotels and shopping malls are built to withstand significant earthquakes. The JNTO Safety Tips app provides real-time alerts in your language and includes shelter location maps.
5. Scenario: Getting Lost
Getting lost in Japan is generally low-risk, but it can be stressful when you don't speak the language. Practical steps:
- Look for a koban (police box) — they are found throughout all major cities, often near train stations. Officers are trained to assist lost tourists with directions and can often access translation tools.
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) have staff who are generally helpful and can assist with printing maps or calling for help
- Show your hotel's address card to taxi drivers — most hotels provide these at reception
- Google Maps works well throughout Japan and has public transport integration
6. General Safety Tips
- Drinking water is safe to drink straight from the tap throughout Japan
- Food safety standards in Japan are extremely high — food poisoning from restaurants is rare
- Traffic: Japan drives on the left. Pedestrian crossings are generally respected by drivers, but always check both ways
- Medication: Some medications legal in your home country (including some ADHD medications, certain painkillers, and inhalers above specific doses) are restricted in Japan. Check the Ministry of Health website before travelling if you rely on prescription medication
- Solo travel is extremely safe in Japan, including for women travelling alone at night in major cities
- Emergency exits: Note the emergency exit locations when you check into a hotel — this is standard practice in earthquake-prone Japan
FAQ
Yes — Japan consistently ranks among the world's safest countries for visitors. The rate of violent crime against tourists is exceptionally low. The most common issues tourists face are minor: lost items, illness, getting lost, or being caught off-guard by natural events like typhoons or earthquakes. All of these are manageable with basic preparation.
Scams targeting tourists are less common in Japan than in many other major tourist destinations, but they do exist — particularly in Roppongi (see our Roppongi guide) and around some tourist areas. If you feel you are being scammed, say "keisatsu wo yobimasu" (I will call the police) clearly and firmly. Do not pay inflated bills — go to a koban and report the incident.
Yes. Japan's healthcare system does not cover foreign visitors without Japanese national health insurance. Medical care is high quality but not free, and costs for hospital visits or emergency treatment can be significant. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Many credit cards include travel insurance — check your policy before departure.