Overview
Knowing who to call in an emergency is the most important preparation you can make before traveling in Japan. While Kanagawa is one of Japan's safest prefectures, being prepared for medical emergencies, accidents, natural disasters, or safety incidents gives you peace of mind to fully enjoy your trip.
This guide provides every emergency number you need in Kanagawa, along with English-language support lines, what to expect when you call, and step-by-step instructions for common emergency scenarios. Save these numbers in your phone before you arrive.
Emergency Numbers
National Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number | Language Support | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚔 Police | 110 | English (interpreters available) | 24/7 |
| 🚑 Ambulance / Fire | 119 | English (interpreters available) | 24/7 |
| 🌊 Coast Guard | 118 | Japanese (English limited) | 24/7 |
| 🆘 Emergency Helpline (English) | 03-5285-8181 | English | 24/7 |
Important: When calling 110 or 119, the operator will connect to an interpreter service. Stay calm, tell the operator "English please" or "Eigo onegaishimasu," and wait for the interpreter to join the call.
Kanagawa-Specific Emergency Contacts
| Service | Phone | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏥 Kanagawa Emergency Medical Info | 045-201-1199 | 24/7 | English, Chinese, Korean available |
| 🚑 Yokohama Emergency Services | 045-331-0119 | 24/7 | Multi-language medical consultation |
| 👮 Yokohama Police (English) | 045-211-1100 | 9:00-17:00 (weekdays) | Non-emergency inquiries |
| 🆘 Japan Helpline (English) | 0570-000-911 | 24/7 | Travel & medical emergencies |
| 🏦 Tokyo Medical Info (backup) | 03-5285-8181 | 24/7 | English-speaking medical referral |
When to Call
Call 110 (Police) When:
- You witness or experience a crime (theft, assault, harassment)
- You find a lost child or elderly person
- You see a traffic accident with injuries
- Someone is behaving dangerously or threateningly
- You need to report a lost item worth significant value
Call 119 (Ambulance/Fire) When:
- Someone is unconscious, not breathing, or has severe bleeding
- You see a fire, smoke, or gas leak
- Someone has a serious injury from a fall, traffic accident, or sports incident
- You need immediate medical transportation
- You suspect a heart attack, stroke, or severe allergic reaction
Call 118 (Coast Guard) When:
- You see someone in distress in the water
- You witness a boating accident
- You find suspicious objects on the beach
- You need sea rescue assistance
How Emergency Calls Work in Japan
Calling 110 (Police)
- Dial 110 from any phone (payphones, mobile, landline — all free for emergencies)
- Tell the operator "English please" or "Eigo onegaishimasu"
- Provide your location — if you do not know the address, describe landmarks, station names, or use GPS coordinates from your phone
- Describe the situation — what happened, is anyone injured, is there an ongoing threat
- Stay on the line until the operator tells you it is okay to hang up
- Wait for police at a safe location — an officer will arrive and may call you for updated location
Calling 119 (Ambulance/Fire)
- Dial 119 — the operator will ask: "Fire or ambulance?" (Kaji desu ka, kyukyu desu ka?)
- Say "Kyukyu" (ambulance) or "Kaji" (fire), then "English please"
- Provide your location — be as specific as possible
- Describe the emergency — injuries, symptoms, what happened
- Follow instructions — the operator may give first-aid guidance while the ambulance arrives
- Ambulances are free — there is no charge for ambulance transport in Japan
Ambulance cost: ¥0. Emergency ambulance transport is provided free of charge. Hospital treatment costs are your responsibility — ensure you have travel insurance.
🇯🇵 Key Japanese Emergency Phrases
| English | Japanese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | 助けて！ | Tasukete! |
| Emergency! | 緊急です！ | Kinkyū desu! |
| Call an ambulance! | 救急車を呼んでください！ | Kyūkyūsha wo yonde kudasai! |
| There is a fire! | 火事です！ | Kaji desu! |
| I need a police officer | 警察を呼んでください | Keisatsu wo yonde kudasai |
| I am injured | けがをしました | Kega wo shimashita |
| I need an interpreter | 通訳をお願いします | Tsūyaku wo onegai shimasu |
| Where is the hospital? | 病院はどこですか？ | Byōin wa doko desu ka? |
Emergency Apps and Tools
Essential Apps
| App | Function | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Tips (Japan Tourism Agency) | Earthquake early warnings, tsunami alerts, weather warnings, emergency shelters | English, Chinese, Korean |
| Japan Official Travel App | Emergency contacts, hospital finder, disaster info | English |
| Japan Travel by NAVITIME | Route planning with disaster detours, multi-language | English |
| Yurekuru Call | Earthquake early warning (down to intensity 1) | Japanese (useful for push alerts) |
Offline Preparation
- Download Google Maps offline for the Kanagawa area — useful when cell networks are congested after a disaster
- Save emergency contacts in your phone as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency)
- Print a card with your hotel address, emergency contact, and key Japanese phrases
- Register with your embassy — many embassies have free emergency registration for citizens traveling abroad
What to Do in Common Emergencies
Medical Emergency
- Call 119 for ambulance
- If you can travel independently, go to a hospital with English-speaking staff
- Recommended hospitals in Kanagawa:
- St. Marianna University Hospital (Kawasaki): 044-977-8111 — English-speaking staff
- Yokohama City University Hospital (Yokohama): 045-787-2800 — International clinic
- Kanagawa Children's Medical Center (Yokohama): 045-711-2351 — Pediatric emergency
Traffic Accident
- Call 110 for police
- Call 119 if anyone is injured
- Do not move anyone who is seriously injured
- Take photos of the scene, vehicle positions, and any damage
- Exchange insurance information if driving
- Contact your travel insurance provider
**
Practical notes for visitors
Carry a laminated card with your hotel name and address in Japanese — it is the single most useful tool for taxis, police, and passersby when you need help navigating or in an emergency. Most convenience stores sell laminating sheets for under ¥500.
Download the Safety Tips app before you arrive — it pushes earthquake and tsunami warnings in English faster than hotel PA systems announce them. The app also includes a shelter locator that functions offline.
All emergency calls from payphones in Japan are free, including to toll-free numbers. If your mobile battery dies, any convenience store or train station will let you use their phone for emergencies.
