Emergency Contacts and Contingency
Save this page. Screenshot it before leaving the US.
Emergency Numbers in Japan
| Situation | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Fire / Ambulance | 119 |
| Japan Helpline (English, 24/7) | 0120-461-997 |
| US Embassy Tokyo (main) | +81-3-3224-5000 |
| US Embassy after-hours emergency | +81-3-3224-5000 (press option) |
Medical Emergency
Go to a major hospital emergency room. Japan’s emergency system works — ambulances are free, treatment is not.
- Show your passport and insurance card at the desk
- Say: “Kyukyu desu” (救急です) — “This is an emergency”
- Most major city hospitals have some English-speaking staff
Travel Insurance: Confirm your policy number and the international claims line before departure. Store it in your phone and in this note.
- Policy: ___________________
- Claims line: ___________________
Lost or Stolen Cards
- Call your bank’s international number immediately (have it saved before leaving)
- Apple Pay / Google Pay may still work even if physical card is gone — check before you travel
- Japan Post ATMs and 7-Eleven ATMs accept most US cards as backup cash
Bank emergency lines (fill in before departure):
| Card | International Number |
|---|---|
| Jeff | |
| Jeannette |
Lost Passport
- File a police report (koban — small neighborhood police box) — you’ll need the report number
- Contact US Embassy Tokyo: +81-3-3224-5000
- Embassy can issue an Emergency Passport — bring any ID copies you have
- Pro tip: Photo your passport data page and upload to a secure cloud folder before leaving
Lost Luggage
- Contact airline baggage claim at the airport before leaving
- Japan’s baggage delivery system (takkyubin) is excellent — lost bags often caught quickly
- Hotels can receive delivered bags; give them your accommodation address if asked
Lost Item on a Train or in Public
Japan has one of the best lost and found systems in the world. Cash, phones, and bags are routinely turned in and recovered.
If you leave something on a train:
- Go to the station master’s office (ekichoushitsu / 駅長室) at the station where you got off
- Describe the item, the line, and the approximate time
- They contact the terminus station — items are collected and held centrally
- JR Lost and Found (Tokyo): 03-3231-1880 — English-speaking staff available
- Tokyo Metro Lost and Found: Suidobashi — 03-3834-5577
- Nankai (Osaka): Contact any Nankai station master’s office
If you lose something in public:
- Report to the nearest koban (交番) — small neighborhood police box, found on almost every block
- Police hold items for 3 months; high recovery rate for electronics and wallets
- Staff will take a report and give you a reference number to check status
Reality: Japan’s lost item recovery rate is extraordinary. A wallet with cash returned intact is not unusual. Report immediately and follow up.
If You Miss the Shinkansen
- Green Car tickets on SmartEX are exchangeable, not fixed to the seat per se — you can rebook to the next available train at a ticket window
- Shin-Osaka → Tokyo: trains run frequently (every 10-15 min peak)
- Show SmartEX reservation on your phone at the gate
Trip Contact Summary
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Jeff | Primary planner, photo lead |
| Jeannette | Group coordinator |
| Ana | — |
| Matt | Backup navigator |
Group chat: ___________________
Related Pages
- Train and Pass Strategy — Shinkansen rebooking process
- Dashboard — Trip status overview