Good to know

Calling 119 and the ambulance ride are free — nationwide, for everyone including tourists. In a genuine emergency, never let worry about cost stop you from calling. The hospital treatment afterwards is not free. Without Japanese health insurance you pay the full amount yourself; travel insurance can usually reimburse you later, so keep every receipt. Bring your passport and insurance details. If it isn't an emergency and you can travel yourself, call #7119 for advice or go to a clinic. Some areas have begun charging a fee for non-emergency ambulance use, and large hospitals add a first-visit “selection fee” (from about ¥7,000) if you arrive without a referral. Bottom line: calling is free. Hesitating in a real emergency is the far bigger risk.

Hospitals will still treat you in an emergency — but without Japanese health insurance you pay the full cost yourself, and it can be high. Make sure you have a way to pay. If you have travel insurance, keep every receipt and medical record and claim it afterwards. Many policies also have a 24-hour assistance line that can arrange “cashless” payment directly with partner hospitals — call them early. No insurance and can't pay on the spot? You'll still be billed, and Japan has begun stricter checks on visitors who leave medical bills unpaid. If you're in genuine financial difficulty, contact your embassy for guidance. Ideally, travel with insurance bought before your trip.

Usually not over the counter. Prescription medicines need a doctor's visit and a Japanese prescription — you can't just buy them at a pharmacy. For minor problems (pain, colds, upset stomach) a drugstore pharmacist can suggest an over-the-counter equivalent, though brands and strengths differ. So bring enough of your own prescription medicine for the whole trip, with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's note. If you carry more than a one-month supply, or syringes or a CPAP machine, apply in advance for an import certificate (“Yakkan Shoumei” / “Yunyu Kakunin-sho”). Important: some medicines that are legal at home are banned in Japan — strong stimulants (e.g. pseudoephedrine, as in Sudafed), codeine, and ADHD drugs (Adderall, Dexedrine). Bringing these can lead to arrest, even with a foreign prescription. Check the rules before you fly.

Assume you may need cash. Many clinics and smaller hospitals are cash-only or take only limited cards. Large city hospitals increasingly accept major credit cards, but don't count on it — carry enough cash to be safe. Tourists pay 100% upfront, usually as you leave. If your travel insurance has a 24-hour assistance line, call it first: at partner hospitals they can sometimes pay the hospital directly (“cashless”) so you don't have to front the money. Always get an itemized receipt, and ask for a medical certificate (a “shindansho”, which may cost extra) — you'll need these for your insurance claim back home.

Usually a few days, sometimes up to about a week — it depends on your embassy. Two steps: first report the loss to the police and get a loss certificate; then contact your own embassy or consulate, which issues an emergency travel document or emergency passport (often faster than a full new passport). Before leaving Japan you'll also visit Japanese immigration to get an exit permit/stamp for the new document — your embassy will explain the order and any appointments needed. To speed things up, keep a photo or photocopy of your passport and a spare passport photo, stored separately from the original. The “Lost / stolen” guide in this app has the step-by-step and your embassy's contact.

Awareness of food allergies is lower in Japan than in many countries, especially at small local restaurants, and cross-contamination is common — don't assume “a little” is safe. Show your allergy in writing in Japanese rather than relying on English. A simple line works: “◯◯アレルギーがあります。入っていますか？” (“I'm allergic to ◯◯. Does this contain it?”). Japan officially labels seven main allergens — egg, milk, wheat, buckwheat (soba), peanut, shrimp, crab — so name yours clearly. Buckwheat (soba) needs special care: it's everywhere, and even shared cooking water or utensils can cross-contaminate. If a place can't be sure, pick somewhere that can. (Your saved allergies also appear in Japanese on your Medical Translation Card.)