Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL): phone number and hours
The phone number for Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL) is 03-5774-0992. Hours: Monday 5:30–23:00; Tuesday to Friday 9:00–16:00 and 19:30–23:00; Saturday 9:00–23:00; Sunday 5:30–23:00 (phone hours; chat daily from 16:00). Call charges apply.
Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL)
Official website telljp.com
Without hyphens: 0357740992
English only (phone and chat)
Checked against the official website · October 23, 2026
ABOUT
About Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL)
Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL) is an English-language counseling service that grew out of the Japanese Inochi no Denwa and took its first calls in 1973. Anyone in Japan can get free, anonymous counseling in English, by phone and also by chat.
BASIC INFO
Basic information
- Phone number
- 03-5774-0992
- Other numbers
- Toll-free number0800-300-8355
- Hours
- Monday 5:30–23:00; Tuesday to Friday 9:00–16:00 and 19:30–23:00; Saturday 9:00–23:00; Sunday 5:30–23:00 (phone hours; chat daily from 16:00)
- Charges
- Call charges apply
- Note
- English only (phone and chat)
- Operated by
- TELL (Tokyo English Lifeline)
- Opened
- 1973
- Official website
- telljp.com
- Location
- Tokyo
OTHER WAYS
Other ways to get help
- 03-5774-0992
Besides the toll-free number, this number is also listed as a way to reach the service. Hours are the same as the phone hours.
Use the chat on the website. Daily from 16:00 (until 23:00 Monday to Thursday, until 2:00 the next day on Friday, until 5:30 the next day on Saturday and Sunday). Children under 13 are asked to use the phone instead.
GOOD TO KNOW
Good to know
- An English-language service that anyone in Japan can use free of charge.
- Your number is not displayed to the counselor when you call, and you do not have to give your name or other personal information.
- Trained volunteer counselors take the calls. You are connected to whoever is available at the time, so it may not be the same person each time.
- Besides distress severe enough to make you think about suicide, they also listen to worries about HIV, pregnancy, LGBTQIA+ issues, eating disorders, drugs and more.
- A member of the Federation of Inochi no Denwa since 1977.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the phone number for Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL)?
03-5774-0992. Toll-free number: 0800-300-8355.
What are the hours for Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL)?
Monday 5:30–23:00; Tuesday to Friday 9:00–16:00 and 19:30–23:00; Saturday 9:00–23:00; Sunday 5:30–23:00 (phone hours; chat daily from 16:00). English only (phone and chat).
Is there a charge?
Call charges apply.
Can I call an Inochi no Denwa center outside the area where I live?
Yes. Regardless of where you live, you can use any Inochi no Denwa center in Japan. Call one that is open at a time that suits you.
What if I cannot get through?
Try again later, or call another helpline that is open. #Inochi SOS (0120-061-338) and the Yorisoi Hotline (0120-279-338) are available 24 hours a day. If a life is in immediate danger, do not hesitate to call 119 (ambulance) or 110 (police).
NEARBY
Inochi no Denwa centers in Kanto
Gunma Inochi no Denwa027-212-0783Gunma · 9:00–24:00 (24 hours on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month)
Tochigi Inochi no Denwa028-643-7830Tochigi · 24 hours
Ashikaga Inochi no Denwa0284-44-0783Tochigi · 15:00–21:00
Ibaraki Inochi no Denwa029-855-1000Ibaraki · 24 hours (from the 29th to the end of each month and on a few irregular days, closed 22:00 to 8:00 the next morning)
Ibaraki Inochi no Denwa, Mito029-350-1000Ibaraki · 24 hours (from the 29th to the end of each month and on a few irregular days, closed 22:00 to 8:00 the next morning)
Saitama Inochi no Denwa048-645-4343Saitama · 24 hours
Chiba Inochi no Denwa043-227-3900Chiba · 24 hours
Tokyo Inochi no Denwa03-3264-4343Tokyo · For the time being: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 8:00–22:00; Wednesday to Saturday 8:00 to 8:00 the next morning (24 hours)
Tokyo Tama Inochi no Denwa042-327-4343Tokyo · 10:00–21:00 (24 hours on the 3rd Friday and Saturday of every month)
Kawasaki Inochi no Denwa044-733-4343Kanagawa · 24 hours
- 045-335-4343
RELATED OFFICES
Municipal offices in Tokyo
Your municipality (city, ward, town or village) also has counters for welfare, health and child-rearing concerns. Call the main number, explain what you want to discuss, and ask for the counter in charge.
- 03-3209-1111
Special wardPrefectural capital
〒160-8484 東京都新宿区歌舞伎町1-4-1
Office hours Weekdays 8:30–17:00 (some counters until 19:00 on Tuesdays)
- 03-5321-1111
Prefectural government
〒163-8001 東京都新宿区西新宿2-8-1
MORE
Other helplines
The phone numbers and hours on this page are based on information published by each helpline’s operator and on official national government pages (last verified: October 23, 2026). Hours and other details may change; check each helpline’s official page for the latest information. This page compiles public information for the convenience of users and does not indicate any business or partnership relationship between the listed helplines and AIRI (LIVERUSH Co., Ltd.). If you find an error, please let us know through our Contact us page.
Sources: TELL Japan, "The English Speaking Lifeline in Japan" / TELL Japan, "TELL Hours: Lifeline Phone and Chat" / TELL Japan, "Our Mission in Japan" / TELL Japan, "Contact TELL and View Map" / TELL Japan, "I am feeling suicidal" / TELL Japan, "Homepage" / Federation of Inochi no Denwa, "List of Inochi no Denwa centers nationwide" / Federation of Inochi no Denwa, "What is Inochi no Denwa"