What to do if a child gets sick while traveling in Japan? A complete guide to 119 emergency services, clinics, pharmacies, and travel insurance.

When traveling in Japan with children, if they experience fever, vomiting, asthma, or accidental injury, the most important step is not to first search for the highest-rated hospital, but to determine whether the situation is critical, can be treated during office hours, or only requires assistance from a pharmacist.

Three paths of action: For critical situations like difficulty breathing, altered consciousness, or massive bleeding, call 119; if the condition is stable, find a pediatrician or general clinic first; if prescription medication is needed, a doctor must issue a prescription, which you then take to an insurance pharmacy to collect the medicine.

This article provides general medical information for travelers and cannot replace a doctor's diagnosis. If a child develops severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek help immediately; do not delay due to costs, language barriers, or travel itineraries.

Quick assessment: 3 paths for medical treatment in Japan

1. In what situations should you call 119 immediately?

In Japan, the emergency number for fire and ambulance services is 119. It is not 999 or 120. Seek help immediately in the following situations:

• Difficulty breathing, purple lips, severe wheezing, or inability to speak.
• Loss of consciousness, abnormal reactions, or difficulty waking up.
• Continuous convulsions, repeated convulsions, or failure to recover after convulsions.
• Massive bleeding, severe burns, or major trauma.
• Suspected anaphylactic shock (e.g., difficulty breathing, swelling all over, fainting).
• Inhalation of dangerous substances, overdose, or chemical ingestion.
• Drowning, falling, traffic accidents, or abnormalities after a heavy blow to the head.
• Any rapid deterioration that makes the caregiver instinctively feel the child's life is at risk.

What to say when calling 119?

The dispatcher will usually ask:

• Whether it is a fire or a medical emergency: Say "Kyukyu desu" (It's a medical emergency).
• Your current location and nearby landmarks.
• The child's age, gender, and primary symptoms.
• Whether they are conscious and breathing.
• Your name and phone number.

You can use simple Japanese:

• Kyukyu desu. Kodomo ga kokyu dekimasen.
  It's a medical emergency. My child cannot breathe.
• Jusho wa 〇〇 desu.
  The address is 〇〇.
• 〇-sai desu.
  The child is 〇 years old.

What if I don't know the address?

Check the hotel room card, booking information, map location, station exit numbers, or nearby shop names. Ask a companion to wait at the entrance for paramedics; do not just send a location pin and leave the child alone.

Do I have to pay for an ambulance?

In Japan, the dispatch of public ambulances is generally free of charge for the patient, but medical examinations, treatments, medications, and hospital stays after arrival are not free. Private transport or non-emergency transport may be charged separately.

Will the ambulance take us to the hospital of our choice?

Paramedics typically coordinate with hospitals that can accept patients based on symptoms, specialization, bed availability, and distance; they cannot guarantee transportation to a facility requested by the traveler.

Medical consultations other than emergency calls

#7119: Emergency Consultation

#7119 is an emergency consultation number provided in some regions to help determine whether to call an ambulance or go to a medical facility. It is not available in exactly the same way across all regions of Japan, and service hours, languages, and the types of phones from which you can call may vary.

If symptoms are clearly critical, call 119 directly instead of waiting for a #7119 response.

#8000: Pediatric Nighttime Consultation

#8000 is a short-code for pediatric emergency phone consultations in Japan, usually staffed by healthcare professionals from each prefecture. Service hours and methods vary by region, and it is primarily in Japanese.

It is suitable for nighttime fevers, vomiting, or when parents are unsure if immediate medical care is needed, but it cannot replace a medical diagnosis and is not a substitute for 119 in emergencies.

JNTO Japan Visitor Hotline

The Japan National Tourism Organization's visitor hotline assists foreign tourists with information regarding illness, accidents, and disasters; it is 050-3816-2787. Telephone numbers, languages, and service hours may change; save the latest information on your phone before departing.

Tokyo Medical Facility Information

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government offers a medical facility search and foreign language consultation service, referred to in some guides as "HIMAWARI." The system name, phone numbers, and service hours may change; use the official Tokyo medical information website to confirm details rather than relying on outdated flyers or numbers.

2. Daytime stable conditions: Find a clinic first

Japanese "clinics" (kurinikku) are typically outpatient facilities suitable for treating common illnesses and minor injuries; large hospitals handle more complex cases requiring specialized equipment or hospitalization.

Which department should the child visit?

• Pediatrics (Shonika): Common childhood issues such as fever, cough, gastroenteritis, and rashes.
• Internal Medicine (Naika): For older children or general symptoms; confirm if they accept pediatric patients first.
• Otolaryngology (Jibi-inkoka): Ear pain, throat, sinus, and related issues.
• Dermatology (Hifuka): Rashes, insect bites, and skin infections.
• Ophthalmology (Ganka): Eye injuries, redness, pain, or vision abnormalities.
• Orthopedics (Seikeigeka): Bone issues, sprains, falls, and trauma.

How to search for a nearby pediatrician?

Search for "Pediatrics" (小児科) or "Clinic" (クリニック) on a map, then confirm:

• If they are currently seeing patients (not just checking the business hours).
• If they accept walk-in patients.
• If they accept foreign patients.
• Language or interpretation services available.
• Accepted payment methods.
• Lunch breaks, days off, and final reception hours.

Japanese clinics often close during lunch hours and have limited evening and weekend availability. "Open" on a map does not necessarily mean they are still accepting patients.

Why shouldn't you go directly to a large hospital?

Large hospitals may require a referral letter. Non-emergency patients without one may be charged a "Selected Medical Fee" (sentaku ryoyohi) in addition to regular examination fees. The amount varies by hospital; the 7,000 yen often mentioned in guides is just a potential tier, not a fixed national price.

If a clinic determines further testing is needed, they will refer you to an appropriate hospital. However, in critical situations, call 119 directly.

General medical visit process

1. Reception: Present passport, insurance documents, and lodging contact information.
2. Fill out a medical questionnaire: Write down symptoms, medical history, allergies, and current medications.
3. Wait: Based on urgency and appointment order.
4. Consultation: Doctor examines the patient, arranging lab tests or imaging if necessary.
5. Payment: Receive receipt, statement, prescription, and medical records.
6. Pharmacy: Take the prescription to an insurance pharmacy to collect medicine.

What to bring?

• Child's original passport.
• Travel insurance policy and emergency contact details.
• Credit card and sufficient cash.
• Original packaging or a list of current medications.
• Records of allergies, chronic conditions, and vaccinations.
• Onset time of symptoms, temperature, and number of vomiting episodes.
• Parent or guardian's identification.

How much does it cost without Japanese health insurance?

Short-term tourists are usually not covered by Japan's public health insurance, and medical institutions may require full out-of-pocket payment. Costs depend on examinations, tests, imaging, medicine, nighttime surcharges, and hospital policies, so they cannot be estimated with a single amount.

Some facilities require a deposit or payment in full that day. Whether your overseas insurance can be settled directly is not guaranteed. Do not rely solely on a single card that may not be usable in Japan.

How to claim travel insurance?

Keep the following:

• Original medical receipts.
• Detailed statement of medical services.
• Prescription or medication breakdown.
• Medical certificate, depending on insurance requirements.
• Proof of payment.
• Police or traffic records, if applicable.

Some insurance policies require contacting an assistance center before seeking treatment; in emergencies, prioritize saving lives first and contact them afterward.

What if there is a language barrier?

• Ask your hotel front desk if they can assist in contacting a medical facility.
• Use official foreign-language medical facility search engines.
• Prepare translation tools and offline language packs.
• Write down symptoms and medications rather than just describing them orally, as it is more accurate.
• Do not just translate brand names; include the active ingredients and dosages.

Common Medical Japanese

3. Filling prescriptions at a pharmacy

Medical institutions in Japan often separate medical and pharmaceutical services. After the consultation, you receive a prescription, which you then take to an external "dispensing pharmacy" (chouzai yakkyoku) or "insurance pharmacy." There are often multiple pharmacies near hospitals, but not every one carries every medication.

What is the 4-day prescription rule?

Prescriptions are generally valid for 4 calendar days starting from the date of issue, including weekends and holidays. This does not mean the medication is only for 4 days, nor does it mean it must be discarded 4 days after collection.

For example, if issued on a Friday, it must typically be used by the end of Monday, unless otherwise specified. Once expired, pharmacies usually cannot extend it themselves, and you must contact the medical institution again.

What will the pharmacist ask?

• Child's weight and age.
• Drug and food allergies.
• Other medications currently being taken.
• Ability to swallow pills, and preference for powder or syrup forms.
• Whether you have an "O-kusuri techo" (medication notebook).

Can a pharmacist prescribe antibiotics directly?

No. A pharmacist cannot replace a doctor's diagnosis to issue a prescription for antibiotics. See a doctor when prescription medication is needed; pharmacists are responsible for dispensing, verifying, and explaining how to use the medication.

Differences between drugstores and dispensing pharmacies

Can children take adult Japanese cold medicine?

Do not simply halve the adult dosage for a child. Japanese OTC cold medicines may contain multiple ingredients; age restrictions, weight-based dosages, and product formulations differ from those in other countries and may duplicate other fever-reducing medications your child is taking.

When purchasing, explain the following to the pharmacist or sales clerk:

• Child's age and weight.
• Symptoms and duration.
• Allergies and chronic conditions.
• Names, ingredients, and timing of previously taken medications.

Precautions for using fever reducers

Do not swap different fever-reducing ingredients, concentrations, or forms based solely on milliliter dosages. Some medications are unsuitable for specific ages, dehydration states, asthma, or infections.

If the child is lethargic, has abnormal breathing, persistent vomiting, cannot drink water, shows significantly reduced urine output, stiff neck, purple spots, or symptoms are worsening rapidly, seek medical attention rather than just attempting to lower the fever.

At what temperature should I see a doctor?

Do not rely on temperature alone. Age, mental state, breathing, hydration, urine output, rashes, chronic conditions, and duration are all critical factors. Infants require a lower threshold for medical assessment.

If unsure, contact a pediatric emergency consultation line or a medical facility; if symptoms are critical, call 119 immediately.

Travel care for vomiting and diarrhea

• Provide fluids in small, frequent amounts; do not force large quantities at once.
• Use child-appropriate oral rehydration products based on professional advice.
• Record vomiting, bowel movements, and urine output.
• Watch for bloody stools, green bile-like vomiting, or severe abdominal pain.
• Avoid using over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicine not suitable for children.
• Maintain hand hygiene to reduce transmission to companions.

Handling allergic reactions

If there is only a mild, localized rash and the child is stable, consult a healthcare professional. If you see difficulty breathing, throat swelling, voice changes, full-body hives with fainting, or repeated vomiting, it could be a severe allergic reaction and you should call 119 immediately.

If a doctor has already prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector, use it according to your personal emergency plan and still call an ambulance.

Precautions for bringing medicine back from Japan

Whether drugs can be brought into your home country depends on local customs and pharmaceutical regulations. Being sold legally in Japan does not mean they can be brought into other countries or regions without limit.

• Keep original packaging, manuals, and receipts.
• Verify active ingredients, not just brands.
• Do not purchase large quantities of controlled substances.
• Retain medical or pharmacy documents for prescriptions.
• Check restrictions on quantity and ingredients for your destination.

Bringing common children's medications into Japan

Generally, a reasonable quantity of personal medication is permitted, but narcotics, stimulants, certain psychiatric drugs, and specific ingredients may be prohibited or require prior "import confirmation" (yunyu kakunin-sho) application.

Before leaving:

• Check regulations from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and local regional bureaus.
• Carry in original packaging.
• Prepare English or Japanese prescriptions/medical certificates.
• Bring only a reasonable amount for the trip.
• Keep essential medications in carry-on luggage and comply with liquid restrictions.

Symptom record for the doctor

Pre-trip pediatric medical preparation

• Purchase travel insurance covering overseas medical costs and emergency transport.
• Verify coverage for pre-existing conditions and accompanying parents/guardians.
• Carry an adequate supply of routine medications prescribed by your own doctor.
• Prepare a digital thermometer, basic wound care supplies, and oral rehydration solution.
• Download offline translation and Japanese medical facility search tools.
• Save the numbers for 119, the insurance assistance center, and your accommodation.
• Write down drug allergy and chronic condition information in English or Japanese.

FAQ

What is the ambulance number in Japan?

The emergency number for fire and ambulance is 119. 999 and 120 are not ambulance numbers in Japan.

Is calling an ambulance free in Japan?

Public ambulance dispatch is generally not charged directly, but examinations, treatments, and medication upon arrival at the hospital must be paid for.

Should a child with a fever go to a clinic or hospital?

If the condition is stable, find a pediatric clinic. If symptoms are critical like difficulty breathing, altered consciousness, or persistent convulsions, call 119.

Is #7119 available all over Japan?

It is not provided in the same way everywhere; availability and service hours should be confirmed locally.

What is #8000?

It is a pediatric emergency consultation short-code, managed by each prefecture; service hours and languages vary by region.

Are prescriptions only valid for 4 days in Japan?

Prescriptions are generally valid for 4 calendar days including issue date, weekends, and holidays; this does not mean the medication is only for 4 days.

Can I see a doctor without Japanese insurance?

Yes, but short-term tourists must usually pay out-of-pocket, and medical facilities may require payment or a deposit upfront, which can be claimed from travel insurance later.

Can I buy antibiotics at drugstores?

No. Antibiotics generally require a doctor's prescription and cannot be purchased over the counter at regular drugstores.

Conclusion: Prioritize assessment, then manage language and costs

When a child falls ill in Japan, the order of priority should be: first look for critical signs like breathing, consciousness, and bleeding; if stable, search for a clinic; once you have a prescription, collect the medicine from a pharmacy within its validity period.

Passports, insurance, medication lists, and receipts are all important, but your child's safety always comes first. When true emergency aid is needed, call 119.