A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 119.
Call 119.
Call 110 or contact the local police at the nearest police station.
For Tokyo English-speaking Police, call 3501 0110 (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:15pm).
Exercise normal safety precautions in Japan overall.
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
Reconsider your need to travel to the restricted areas near the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.
Reconsider your need to travel to the restricted areas near the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Tensions in the region, including with North Korea, could worsen with little warning.
To stay safe:
Japan has a low crime rate. Bag snatching happens from time to time.
Bars and nightclubs, especially in the Roppongi and Shinjuku (Kabuki-cho) entertainment areas of Tokyo, may target you with:
Be wary of street touts that try to get you to go into a venue.
You may be served drinks with higher alcohol content than normal. Some victims have woken in unknown places and discovered high credit card charges. Other victims have been taken to ATMs and made to withdraw a large sum of cash while under the effects of drink spiking.
In these situations, you may find it hard to get a police report for your bank and travel insurer.
To stay safe:
More information:
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
Japan has heightened security measures in place at key facilities, such as:
More information:
Trekking and mountaineering can be dangerous.
Every year, many people die while trying to climb Mount Fuji.
Japanese Emergency Services warn against climbing from September to June. This is when it's most dangerous.
Check your travel insurance covers you for extreme activities, such as mountain climbing.
Bears have been seen in some areas of northern Japan.
If you plan to trek in the Japanese Alps:
It's dangerous to ski or snowboard off-piste, either inside or outside a ski resort's boundaries.
Many travellers have suffered serious head injuries they could've prevented by wearing the right equipment.
Check your insurance policy covers you for snow sports.
Local ski resorts govern rules in each ski region. You can be arrested and detained for unruly behaviour. See Travel
If you're skiing in Japan:
Japan experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including:
In an emergency, consular help may be severely limited.
Be prepared to deal with emergencies by:
The Japan National Tourism Organization provides disaster preparation safety tips for visitors to Japan and other useful emergency information.
The following stations broadcast emergency information in English:
Japanese public broadcaster NHK provides a free smartphone app, which can be set to receive emergency notifications in English. This includes earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption and typhoon warnings.
If there's a natural disaster:
The typhoon season is from May to November.
Local authorities broadcast current typhoon information through the local media and the Japan Meteorological Agency website.
A typhoon's precise path and strength is hard to predict and can change quickly.
If there's a typhoon:
If there is heavy rain, stay indoors. If necessary, evacuate to a place on the second floor or higher. Find an evacuation shelter if there's one in your local area.
Keep away from areas with:
Be careful of fallen electrical lines.
There's a constant risk of earthquakes and tsunamis.
The Japan Meteorological Agency provides information in English about earthquakes and tsunamis.
Get emergency plan information in your area from local or prefectural government offices, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Disaster Prevention (Japanese).
Local authorities are responsible during a crisis for helping people living or travelling within their jurisdictions.
If there's an earthquake:
Japan has 110 active volcanoes.
The Japan Meteorological Agency provides a list of the latest volcano warnings.
If you plan to visit a volcanic area:
Parts of Japan experience heavy snowfalls and extremely low temperatures in winter.
Conditions can change suddenly.
Each year, people are injured or killed in snow-related incidents, including:
Walking alone or under the effects of alcohol, or straying from marked trails, can be fatal.
Avalanches are common and heavy snowstorms can create deep powder snow drifts.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
Different environments, unfamiliar customs and language barriers may worsen existing mental health conditions. They may also trigger new issues.
Mental health treatment and services can differ to those in Australia.
If you need counselling services in English while in Japan:
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
Japan has strict rules about bringing medicines into the country. These affect both medicine imports and medicines you carry for personal use.
There are 5 categories (PDF) of medicine. These are:
You may need a permit or certificate to take medicine into Japan. This will depend on the medicine's classification, name and quantity.
Some medication is banned, including:
Authorities could detain you if you're found with them.
For narcotic medicines, including codeine, morphine and oxycodone, apply for a Narcotic Certificate. If you don't have this certificate when you enter Japan, authorities may take the medicine.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Japan. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Restricted areas exist around the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. The 2011 earthquake caused the release of lethal radiation. Radiation levels in most parts of Japan, including Tokyo, are within the normal range.
Monitor advice by the Japanese Government. There are ID checks points into the Restricted Areas. Do not enter without permission.
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) provides details on radiation in Japan. ARPANSA has assessed the radiation levels in most parts of Japan, including Tokyo, to be within the normal range.
More Information:
Japanese encephalitis occurs in Japan's rural areas. Get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis before you travel.
To protect yourself from disease:
Many measles and rubella cases have been reported in Japan in recent years.
Make sure your vaccinations are up to date before you travel.
More information:
Medical facilities are of a high standard. You can find medical facilities with English-speaking staff in most major cities.
Medical care in Japan can be expensive. You may need to pay up-front or give a guarantee that you'll cover costs before you're treated.
The Japan National Tourism Organization lists hospitals with English and other foreign language-speaking staff.
There are many hospitals with decompression chambers in areas where diving is popular.
More information:
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
See the Australian Embassy Tokyo website for more information about arrests in Japan.
Be aware that you won't be allowed to make a phone call if you are arrested in Japan.
Authorities can charge you if they find trace amounts of illegal drugs in your blood or urine.
More information:
Japanese family law is very different to Australian law. Child custody and access and divorce decisions are based on Japanese family law.
After divorce, only 1 parent can legally have parental rights for the child.
If you're involved in custody or other family disputes, consult a lawyer before you leave Australia for advice on how Japanese family law may affect your family.
Australia and Japan are both parties to The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
If you're concerned that your child has been wrongfully removed or detained in Japan, contact the Attorney-General's Department in Australia.
More information:
Some employment agents mislead and encourage foreigners to work in Japan without:
This could leave you open to exploitation.
Authorities have arrested Australians for working in the entertainment industry while in Japan on tourist visas.
If you want to travel to Japan for work:
More information:
Police can stop you on the street, demand identification and search you and your belongings.
If you're in a public place, police can seize:
If they find any of these items on you, it’s likely that police will detain you.
If you're arrested, police can detain you for up to 23 days without charge. This includes offences you may think are minor. Police might hold you for weeks or months while they investigate and undertake legal proceedings.
The initial police interview may last several hours. Police might record it in writing rather than electronically.
Under Japanese law, you can:
However, police can question you without your lawyer present.
English interpreters may be substandard. Get a list of English-speaking lawyers around Japan from the Australian Embassy website.
If you're staying for up to 90 days, you must always carry your passport.
If you live in Japan, you must always carry your residence card.
It's illegal to:
These activities are also illegal:
Penalties for serious crimes, such as murder, include the death penalty.
Other sentences can include:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Japan recognises dual nationality until the age of 22, after which the dual national must decide which nationality to retain.
More information:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.
You don't need a visa if you're visiting for less than 90 days:
To qualify, you need to show you have:
If Japanese immigration believes you intend to look for work, they could refuse you entry for up to 5 years. You can't appeal the decision.
When you arrive, you must declare if you have a criminal record. If you have a criminal record, immigration may refuse you entry. Before travelling, contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Japan to check if you need a visa.
Some employment agents may tell you it's OK to work in Japan without the correct visa. However, if you work in Japan on a tourist visa, authorities could prosecute you.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. For details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules, contact an embassy or consulate of Japan.
The Embassy of Japan in Canberra has information for visa applicants.
More information:
You'll be photographed and fingerprinted electronically when you arrive, even if you're a permanent resident in Japan. If you refuse, immigration officers could deny you entry.
Travellers aged under 16 years, or who hold a diplomatic or official visa, are exempt.
If you will stay in Japan longer term, you need to register your details with the Immigration Bureau of Japan before arriving.
Once you present the correct landing permission, you'll get a residence card. You must always carry it with you.
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
The Japanese currency is the Yen (JPY).
No restrictions apply to bringing foreign currency in or out of the country. Declare all amounts more than JPY 1 million or equivalent, when you arrive or leave. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
Cash is preferred in most places.
Hotels accept major credit cards but many shops and services don't. Credit cards are not widely accepted outside major cities.
Some ATMs at banks and convenience stores don't accept foreign cards.
Ask your bank if your cards will work in Japan.
Check the Japan National Tourism Organization for emergency updates in English. The site also has advice on safe and hassle-free travel in Japan.
There are some restricted areas around the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. This is due to the 2011 earthquake that resulted in the release of lethal radiation. The Japanese Government specifies these areas.
If you must stay overnight in restricted areas, ask local authorities for advice on how to minimise health risks.
Monitor and follow the advice from local authorities.
More information:
To drive in Japan, you must hold either:
After 365 days, you need to get a Japanese licence.
Get your IDP before leaving Australia.
More information:
Roads and vehicles are mostly well-maintained and traffic is orderly.
Vehicles travel on the left-hand side like in Australia.
Heavy snowfalls and ice in the winter can make driving dangerous.
More information:
Check your travel insurance policy covers you for riding motorbikes.
Always wear a helmet.
It's safe to use taxis in Japan.
Taxi drivers usually open and shut the rear passenger doors remotely.
Japan has modern and reliable rail and bus services.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Japan's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 119.
Call 119.
Call 110 or contact the local police at the nearest police station.
For Tokyo English-speaking Police, call 3501 0110 (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:15pm).
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
If a report is hard to get, seek advice from a lawyer or the English-speaking Police.
Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Call TELL Lifeline services in English 5774 0992.
Call TELL Counselling services in English 4550 1146.
English information on living in Japan is available from:
In Tokyo, for advice from the Foreign Residents' Advisory Centre, call (+81 3) 5320 7744.
More information:
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)’s Tourist Information Center accepts telephone enquiries 24 hours a day. Call (+81 3) 3201 3331.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
You can also contact the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan’s Consumer Hotline for Tourists. Call (+81 3) 5449 0906 from Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, excluding national holidays.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Tokyo.
2-1-14 Mita, Minato-ku
Tokyo 108 8361
Phone: (+81 3) 5232 4111
Fax: (+81 3) 5232 4057
Website: japan.embassy.gov.au
Email: consular.tokyo@dfat.gov.au
Facebook: Australian Embassy Japan
Twitter: @AustraliaInJPN
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
You can also seek consular help from these Australian consulates-general and consulates in Japan.
16th floor, Twin 21MID Tower
2-1-61 Shiromi, Chuo-ku
Phone: (+81 6) 6941 9271 or (+81 6) 6941 9448
Fax: (+81 6) 6920 4543
Website: japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyo/location_osaka.html
7th Floor, Tenjin Twin Building
1-6-8 Tenjin, Chuo-ku
Fukuoka 810 0001
Phone: (+81 92) 734 5055
Fax: (+81 92) 734 5058
Website: japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyo/location_fukuoka.html
17th floor, Sapporo Centre Building
North 5, West 6 2-2 Chuo-ku
Sapporo 060 0005
Phone: (+81 11) 242 4381
Fax: (+81 11) 242 4383
Website: japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyo/location_sapporo.html
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
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