Tokyo emergency phone

Tokyo Emergency

Here's our handy guide to Tokyo emergency phone numbers and addresses - Fire, Police, Ambulance, Doctor, Dentist, Embassies and Hospitals.

We've also included some essential hints and tips that will make things easier for you if you do find yourself without a paddle and needing some help.

If you want to jump straight to the Tokyo emergency list, just follow the link or read on to start with our basic medical kit recommendations.

Basic Medical Kit

When you write your check list of what to bring to Tokyo make sure to include a basic medical kit.

Why? Regular medical items and drugs that I can easily buy in the US or UK are almost impossible to find here.

The Japanese government has restricted many ingredients that are found in common over the counter remedies in other countries.

Some Things Are Illegal - Do Check!

Some prescription medications cannot be imported into Japan and can result in you being detained for several weeks. Japanese customs officials are very strict about this matter and will not consider a plea of, "But I use it at home", as a good enough excuse.

For more information please see this page on the US Embassy website and check if you are in any doubt before bringing medication with you.

So, with the above in mind, if you can... bring with you any of the regular medicine that picks you up when you catch a cold - just in case. Items to consider are painkillers, products to control upset stomachs, throat lozenges, cold and flu remedies and antiseptic cream.

These will also prove useful should you find yourself in a Tokyo earthquake situation.

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Prescription Drugs

If you regularly need to take prescription drugs and they are on the ok list of things to pack for Tokyo, bring enough with you so that in case anything goes wrong, there are enough for a few extra days. Again, drugs you normally get on prescription at home are often not available in Japan so its not worth the risk of being caught short.

If you do need to go to the doctor and are prescribed some medicine, don't be surprised if it comes in powder form. Instead of taking tablets, a lot of medicine here is swallowed in powder form. The trick is to tip the powder right to the back of your throat, swallow, and then down some water. Not easy the first time you do it!

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Health Insurance

If your health insurance in your home country does not cover you during your stay in Japan, make sure you purchase an appropriate travel insurance policy. Medical services in Tokyo are not cheap and you do not want cost to be an added worry if you do end up facing a Tokyo emergency situation.

Language Barriers

Many Japanese doctors do not speak fluent English - and nor should they be expected to but I think it's important for visitors to be aware of this.

When one of my friends was taken seriously ill they ended up communicating with the Doctor through Googles's online translation module - not really the ideal solution when dealing with your health and wellness.

I have included the phone numbers of several international clinics below and would recommend contacting them should you need any medical assistance.

Tokyo Emergency Contact List

Basic Emergency Numbers

• Police - 110
• Fire - 119
• Ambulance - also 119

You can call these Tokyo emergency numbers from any public phone - usually green in colour - just press the red button on the phone before dialling

International Medical Clinics

• Tokyo Medical & Surgical Clinic, #32 Mori Building, 3-4-30 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 03-3436-3028 Web: http://www.tmsc.gr.jp
• National Medical Clinic, National Azabu Apt. #502, 4-5-2 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 03-3473-2057 Web: http://www.nmclinic.net
• Tokyo British Clinic, Daikanyama Y Building 2F, 2-13-7 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 03-5458-6099

Hospitals

• Japanese Red Cross Medical Center, 4-1-22 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 03-3400-1311
• St. Luke's International Hospital, 9-1 Akashicho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 03-3541-5151
• International Catholic Hospital, 2-5-1 Naka-Ochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 03-3951-1111
• Tokyo Adventist Hospital, 3-17-3 Amanuma, Suginami-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 03-3392-6151

Dentists

• Tokyo Clinic Dental Office, Mori Building 32 2F, 3-4-30 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 03-3431-4225
• Motoazabu Hills Dental Clinic,Motoazabu Hills Forest Terrace West, 1-3-3 Motoazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 03-5730-3900 Web: http://www.hills-dc.com/en/
• United Dental Office, 1F Maruyama Building, 2-3-8 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 03-5570-4334 Web: http://www.uniteddentaloffice.com Emergency Tel: Mobile 090-1704-2610

Tokyo English Life Line

• TELL deserve a mention in their own right. This is a non profit organization with a multitude of resources in many languages. They can give you essential advice and recommendations in a Tokyo emergency situation. Check the Tell website