Japan Joy GuideClear help for travelers 🇬🇧 English

Practical help in Japan

Find the right help for your situation

Start with the problem in front of you. Each guide gives a first action, concrete steps, official resources and Japanese phrases where they can help.

Immediate danger or a serious medical emergency? Call 110 for police or 119 for an ambulance or fire service. Ask nearby staff to call if your phone cannot connect.
Start here

What is happening right now?

PhoneI cannot get onlineCheck Wi-Fi login, the selected data line, roaming, eSIM and APN settings in a safe order.Diagnose the connection → PhoneMy phone is missingLock the device, protect the number and payment accounts, then report the loss.Protect the phone → PaymentMy foreign card was declinedSeparate contactless failure from an issuer decline and keep a cash or second-card backup.Fix the payment problem → Lost itemI left something behindContact the right station, venue, police box or operator with the details they need.Start the lost-item steps → PassportMy passport is missingFile a police report and contact your own embassy or consulate about a replacement document.Start the passport steps → TransportI am stuck at a station or bus stopCheck the operator, platform, ticket and destination before boarding or buying again.Find the next travel step → HealthI need medical careChoose emergency help, a clinic or multilingual medical support and prepare your symptoms.Find medical help → Heat illnessSomeone is unwell in the heatMove to a cool place, begin cooling and know when to call 119.Open heat-illness help → LanguageI need to show a message in JapaneseOpen, enlarge, copy or print a phrase for transport, shopping, health or an emergency.Open Japanese phrase cards →
Browse by task

Prepare before travel or solve a specific problem

Passport & entryEntry forms, Visit Japan Web, customs, hotel documents and pre-trip checks. TransportAirports, trains, buses, IC cards, taxis, driving and luggage. Money & paymentsCards, cash, ATMs, IC balances, tax-free shopping and tipping. LanguageShowable phrases and situation-based communication help. ConnectivityWi-Fi, SIMs, eSIMs, phone settings, charging and power banks. Health & emergencyDoctors, medicine, insurance, disasters and urgent contacts. Rules & mannersSmoking, garbage, onsen, shrines and everyday local rules.
How to use these guides

Get the answer, then verify what can change

1. Take the first safe action. Use the opening answer and steps to decide what to do next without reading unrelated background first.

2. Match the exact situation. Operator, prefecture, phone model, ticket, medicine and booking conditions can change the correct answer.

3. Check the responsible source. Time-sensitive guides link to government agencies, transport operators and direct service providers near the relevant action.

Complete directory

All help guides

Browse the latest practical guides below, or use the problem and category links above to narrow the list.