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An Extensive Guide On Visiting A Doctor In Japan As A Tourist | What To Do If You Get Sick In Japan

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Need to visit a doctor in Japan? Here’s what to know before visiting a doctor in Japan as a tourist ! All the important information you need before you step into a Japanese hospital or clinic!

Getting sick can be worrying altogether, but that happening in a country you’re new to, in a place where you can’t communicate properly can be really taxing (literally also).

Here are a few tidbits of knowledge to arm yourself with before going for a doctor’s visit in Japan.

Language and cultural understanding of the medical healthcare system in Japan can be confusing.

When you’re visiting a doctor in Japan as a tourist (hopefully you won’t have to), make sure you have this checklist in hand: knowledge about health insurance, some useful hospital lingo to describe what’s happening to you, and a list of places where you can go. 

It’s always safe to be prepared, isn’t it? Below you’ll find most of the necessary information you’ll need to get through a medical crisis in Japan.

Visiting A Doctor In Japan As A Tourist

Before you panic (because that’s never good in medical emergencies: remember that we live in the age of a masterful Google translate).

Page Contents

What to Know Before Visiting a Doctor in Japan As A Tourist

A brief guide to japanese healthcare system and health insurance.

The first thing we’ll talk about in this guide to what to know before visiting a doctor in Japan as a tourist is about the health insurance!

The Japanese health insurance is a bit extensive and detailed. 

The first thing you need to know is that if you’re staying in Japan for more than 3 months, it is necessary that you enroll in the system even if you got yourself travel insurance or are covered by health insurance back home. 

doctor visit in japan

The reason being, most hospitals in Japan don’t accept those.

If you’ve entered Japan as a full-time employee, or are a resident of Japan with a full-time job, you’ll be enrolled in the shakai hoken  (社会保険) of the company. 

In this case, your pension and your health insurance are automatically deducted from your stipend.

In the case that you’re self-employed, work less than 30 hours a week or have no job, you must enroll yourself into Japan’s National Health Insurance — kokumin kenko hoken (国民健康保険). All you need to do is go to the city hall and fill the relevant forms. 

Typically, being insured for health conditions in Japan means having to pay only 30% of your bill. The rest 70% of your bill is covered by your insurance. 

When you leave the house, always make sure to carry your health insurance card in your wallet, or the next thing you know you’ll be emptying every last penny from your wallet. Healthcare in Japan can be pretty expensive.

Although that is true, the premium received on Japanese hospital bills changes depending on your age:

  • For infants, 80% of their bill is covered by the insurance
  • For children of the school-going age upto 69 years of age, 70% is covered.
  • Adults between the ages of 70-74 only pay 10% of their bills,
  • For the peak working population between the ages of 40 to 65, those of whom are residents, it is mandatory to pay 2% of the bill as a nursing care fee.

These are some of the things covered by the insurance in Japan:

  • General medical check-ups
  • Preventative care
  • Injury due to an accident
  • Hospital stays, including some meals
  • Prescription medication
  • Acupuncture and/or other therapy prescribed by a doctor
  • Birth and prenatal costs
  • Blood transfusion
  • Dental care

What is not covered by the insurance

In the case of mental health conditions, buying contraception and other checkups that you seem needful but are not necessary, you’ll be charged the full bill as they are not covered by the insurance.

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  • Related: What are Dental Braces costs in Japan

Understanding the Japanese Healthcare System As A Tourist

Travel insurance: your safety net.

Before embarking on your journey to Japan, it’s strongly recommended to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical coverage.

This insurance can assist you in case of unexpected medical expenses, ensuring that you receive proper care without the burden of hefty bills. Make sure to thoroughly read your policy to understand what medical services are covered.

Identifying Medical Facilities In Japan

In Japan, medical facilities are categorized into several types, ranging from small clinics to large hospitals.

Hospitals are usually equipped to handle a wide range of medical issues, while clinics tend to cater to less severe ailments. When seeking medical attention, choose a facility that corresponds to the severity of your condition.

Language Barrier In Japan

While English is widely taught in schools and many Japanese people have a basic understanding of the language, the proficiency level can vary among healthcare professionals. To bridge the language gap, it’s wise to carry a medical phrasebook or a translation app.

Some major hospitals in popular tourist areas might have staff who can communicate in English, but don’t rely solely on this assumption.

Seeking Medical Care In Japan

When you require medical attention, consider the following steps:

  • Consult Your Accommodation: The staff at your hotel or lodging can be valuable resources. They can help you find nearby medical facilities and even assist with making appointments or providing directions.
  • Local Clinics and Hospitals: If you’re dealing with a minor ailment, visiting a local clinic might be sufficient. For more serious issues, head to a hospital.
  • Emergency Services: In case of a medical emergency, dial 119 for an ambulance. While the operator might not speak English, they will dispatch help to your location.
  • Pharmacies: If you need over-the-counter medication, look for pharmacies (known as “yakkyoku” in Japanese) that are often denoted by a green cross sign.

Payment and Costs Of Visiting A Doctor In Japan As A Tourist

The cost of visiting a doctor in Japan as a tourist will vary depending on the type of doctor you see, the treatment you receive, and whether or not you have health insurance.

  • Costs for tourists with health insurance

If you have health insurance from your home country, you may be able to get some or all of the cost of your medical treatment in Japan reimbursed. However, you will need to check with your insurance company to see what their policy is for overseas medical care.

In general, the cost of a doctor’s visit in Japan with health insurance is around 30% of the total bill. This means that you would typically pay 30% of the cost of the consultation, any tests or procedures, and any medication you receive.

For example, if the total cost of your doctor’s visit is 10,000 yen, you would pay 3,000 yen out of pocket. The remaining 7,000 yen would be reimbursed by your insurance company.

  • Costs for tourists without health insurance

If you do not have health insurance from your home country, you will be responsible for the full cost of your medical treatment in Japan. This can be very expensive, so it is important to have travel health insurance if you are planning to visit Japan as a tourist.

The cost of a doctor’s visit without health insurance in Japan can range from 5,000 to 10,000 yen. This is for the consultation fee only. Any tests or procedures, or medication you receive, will cost extra.

For example, if you need to see a doctor for a cold, you could expect to pay around 5,000 yen for the consultation. If you also need to get a prescription for medication, this could cost an additional 1,000 to 2,000 yen.

  • Other costs to consider

In addition to the cost of the doctor’s visit, there are a few other costs you may need to consider if you need medical treatment in Japan as a tourist. These include:

  • The cost of transportation to and from the doctor’s office or hospital.
  • The cost of translation services, if you do not speak Japanese.
  • The cost of accommodation, if you need to stay overnight in a hospital.

It is important to factor in all of these costs when planning your trip to Japan. This way, you will be prepared for any unexpected medical expenses that may arise.

How To Prescriptions and Medications In Japan As A Tourist? 

If you require prescription medication, consult a healthcare professional. Some medications that are readily available in your home country might require a different prescription in Japan. Pharmacists can also provide information and guidance on the usage of medications.

Here are the steps on how to bring prescriptions and medications to Japan as a tourist:

  • Check if your medication is allowed in Japan. Not all medications are allowed in Japan, so it is important to check with the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) before you travel. You can find a list of prohibited and controlled drugs on the MHLW website.
  • Bring a copy of your prescription. You will need to bring a copy of your prescription for any medication you are bringing into Japan. This is to prove that you have a legitimate need for the medication and that it is not being brought into the country for illegal purposes.
  • Bring a translation of your prescription. If your prescription is not in Japanese, you will need to bring a translation of it. This can be done by a professional translator or by a friend or family member who is fluent in Japanese.
  • Declare your medication to customs. When you arrive in Japan, you will need to declare your medication to customs. This is to ensure that your medication is not prohibited or controlled. You will need to show the customs officer your prescription and translation, if applicable.
  • Keep your medication in its original packaging. It is important to keep your medication in its original packaging when you are bringing it into Japan. This will make it easier for customs to identify the medication and to ensure that it is not prohibited or controlled.
  • Do not bring more than a month’s supply of medication . You are only allowed to bring a month’s supply of medication into Japan. If you need more than a month’s supply, you will need to obtain a permit from the MHLW.

Vaccinations and Health Precautions

Before traveling to Japan, check if there are any recommended vaccinations. Additionally, be aware of any specific health precautions, such as avoiding tap water or being cautious with certain foods.

The following are the vaccinations and health precautions that are recommended for tourists to Japan:

  • Routine vaccinations: Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccinations, such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (TDaP).
  • Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a liver infection that can be spread through contaminated food and water. It is recommended for all travelers to Japan, regardless of their itinerary.
  • Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a liver infection that can be spread through blood and body fluids. It is recommended for travelers to Japan who are planning on having sex with a new partner, getting a tattoo or piercing, or coming into contact with blood or body fluids.
  • Japanese encephalitis: Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause brain inflammation. It is recommended for travelers to Japan who will be spending time in rural areas, especially during the summer months.
  • Rabies: Rabies is a virus that can be spread through the bite of an infected animal. It is recommended for travelers to Japan who will be spending time outdoors, especially in rural areas.
  • Other vaccines: Depending on your individual risk factors, your doctor may recommend other vaccines, such as tick-borne encephalitis or typhoid.

In addition to vaccinations, there are a number of other health precautions that you can take to stay healthy in Japan:

  • Drink bottled water: Tap water in Japan is generally safe to drink, but it is always best to err on the side of caution and drink bottled water.
  • Avoid raw seafood: Raw seafood is a popular dish in Japan, but it can be a source of food poisoning. If you are not sure if the seafood is cooked properly, it is best to avoid it.
  • Be careful about what you eat: Be sure to wash your hands before eating and avoid eating food that has been left out in the open.
  • Use insect repellent: Mosquitoes are a common insect in Japan and they can transmit diseases such as Japanese encephalitis. Be sure to use insect repellent when you are outdoors, especially during the summer months.
  • Cover up: It is important to cover up when you are outdoors, especially in the sun. This will help to protect you from sunburn and skin cancer.
  • Stay hydrated: It is important to stay hydrated when you are traveling, especially in hot weather. Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks.

Cultural Considerations When Visiting A Doctor In Japan As A Tourist

Respect for cultural norms is essential. Arrive on time for your appointments, and if you need to cancel, do so with ample notice. Always carry identification, and be prepared to provide your travel insurance details.

Exploring Japan as a tourist can be an incredible adventure, but it’s essential to be prepared for unexpected health issues. 

With thorough travel insurance, a basic understanding of the healthcare system, and a willingness to adapt to the local norms, you can ensure a smooth experience should the need for medical care arise. 

By taking these precautions, you can focus on enjoying your trip while having the confidence that you’re well-equipped to handle any medical situation.

Basic Terminology to Know Before Visiting a Doctor in Japan As A Tourist

The next thing to discuss in this guide to what to know before visiting a doctor in Japan as a tourist is the basic terminologies you’re going to need to communicate with the doctor or hospital staff.

The first thing you should know about the healthcare vocabulary in Japan is that the term for hospital or a doctor’s clinic is the same. The term “byōin” encompasses large and small healthcare-providing establishments. 

doctor visit in japan

When you ask for an oisha san,  you’re looking for a doctor. Just mention any of these two terms to your taxi driver and you’ll get to the nearest hospital.

Considering the state of Japanese hospitals, at least most of them, not knowing Japanese or being able to describe your condition or ailment in the language can leave you at a disadvantage. They won’t understand you and might diagnose you with something you’ve never even heard of.

Here’s some basic terminology you should equip yourself with before a visit to a doctor in Japan. It will help you get through the day at the hospitals there.

Describing the symptoms:

Describing how bad the pain is:

Describing when it all began:

What To Do For Minor Injuries In Japan As A Tourist?

Next, in this guide to what to know before visiting a doctor in Japan as a doctor, I want to discuss some common ailments you might experience during your time in Japan.

Apart from some of the symptoms I have mentioned above, Japanese hospitals see this common list of minor ailments that may happen to you while you’re there.

  • Flu: Infruenza can be experienced in Japan during early winters and late autumns. You can usually just go to the hospital and receive the annual flu vaccine. Just ask for the infruenza yobou sesshu.
  • Food poisoning : Shokuchuudoku (食中毒) is not that common, but if you’re new to Japanese food, it’s always ready to be prepared.
  • Urinary Infection : Boukouen, (膀胱炎). As a foreigner, you might be used to a higher dosage of medicines than the ones you get here. Therefore it is possible that if you’re afflicted with a urine infection, the light dosage that is common in Japan might not work on you.

What To do In Case of Emergencies In Japan?

Next, very important, this guide to what to know before visiting a doctor in Japan as a tourist will discuss what to do in case of emergencies

When you’re in a situation where you’re facing a medical emergency in Japan , remember that the number in Tokyo for ambulances is 119.

doctor visit in japan

Another thing to remember is that the ambulances in Tokyo are handled by the fire department, so you will have to distinctly point out that you’re looking for an ambulance  ( kyuukyuusha , 救急車) and not reporting a fire ( kaji , 火事).

The ambulances there are free, but you’ll have to be prepared in terms of what you’ll say when they take your call with regards to landmarks around you and what exactly happened.

For such reasons, the Tokyo fire department has even published an online guide that describes everything you might need to say during such emergencies.

Where can you find English Hospitals in Japan?

If you can’t speak or understand Japanese pay special attention to this part of the guide to what to know before visiting a doctor in Japan as a tourist!

If you live in a relatively large city like Osaka or Tokyo, finding a doctor that can communicate in English shouldn’t be a problem. These doctors often tend to publish a website in English as well. 

But from experience and all the stories I’ve heard, I have often come to a worrisome dilemma. Doctor’s that speak English are not always good doctors.  So, if you have something like a common cold that bugs you, feel free to go to one of those.

doctor visit in japan

But if you have something serious that requires expertise, I’d recommend going to a specialist in the field (quite often can only speak in Japanese).

Nonetheless, there’s an expat community in Japan that has a recommended and approved list of English-speaking health organizations that can assist in times of medical needs.

Insurance can be an issue when you’re from out of the country. Not many hospitals accept international health insurance. But there is one such Luke’s International Hospital , that not only accepts international health insurance but also has various English-speaking doctors with expertise in various disciplines.

General Information:

If you’re looking for information about what to do, where to do it, look for a specialist for your particular condition, Japan Healthcare Info can assist in that regard. On top of all that, they also help you make appointments, find the right doctor for you and give you recommendations for places where you can receive treatment in English. 

Primary care: 

Dr. Joe Kurosu is the Primary Care Shimokitazawa is the most common recommendation I’ve unanimously heard from the expat community. He is bilingual and has a reputed degree in medicine from Stanford. If you’re having health issues while you’re in Japan, I’d recommend stopping by here first and then getting a foreigner-friendly recommendation from Dr. Kurosu.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Testing:

Since this is not covered by health insurance, local or international, testing for STDs and STIs can be quite expensive. You don’t need an additional expense while you’re traveling. You can head to the Shinjuku City Public Health Center for a free check-up on Thursdays. Make sure to find out which Thursdays because it happens only twice a month. Moreover, the center is multilingual. The testing is done in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai.

Visiting A Doctor In Japan As A Tourist: FAQs

Can a tourist go to the doctor in japan.

Yes, tourists can go to the doctor in Japan. The Japanese healthcare system is generally very good and tourists are welcome to use it.

If you need to see a doctor in Japan, you can either go to a clinic or a hospital. Clinics are typically smaller and less expensive than hospitals, but they may not have the same level of expertise. Hospitals are larger and more expensive, but they have a wider range of services and specialists.

To see a doctor in Japan, you will need to bring your passport and your health insurance card (if you have one). If you do not have health insurance, you will be responsible for the full cost of your medical treatment.

Once you are at the doctor’s office, you will need to fill out a medical history form. The doctor will then ask you about your symptoms and perform an examination. If necessary, the doctor may order tests or prescribe medication.

The cost of seeing a doctor in Japan will vary depending on the type of doctor you see, the treatment you receive, and whether or not you have health insurance. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere between 5,000 to 10,000 yen for a consultation at a clinic, and 10,000 to 15,000 yen at a hospital.

If you do not speak Japanese, you may want to ask your hotel or tour guide to recommend a doctor who speaks English. You can also search for English-speaking doctors online.

Can you go to the hospital in Japan without insurance?

Yes, you can go to the hospital in Japan without insurance. However, you will be responsible for the full cost of your treatment, which can be very expensive.

The cost of a hospital visit in Japan without insurance can range from 20,000 to 50,000 yen. This is for the consultation fee only. Any tests or procedures, or medication you receive, will cost extra.

If you are a tourist and you need to go to the hospital in Japan without insurance, you may be able to get your medical expenses reimbursed by your travel insurance company. 

However, you will need to check with your insurance company to see if they cover medical expenses in Japan and to find out what their policy is for reimbursement.

Final Thoughts

Remember that you’re in a place that’s unfamiliar to you. It’s normal to have questions and in fact, it is better that you ask them as much as you have in mind to be clear of any discomfort you may face, mental and /or physical.

True, it is uncommon that someone in Japan would challenge the doctor’s recommendation and diagnosis, but if you have doubts in mind, go for a second opinion and weigh all the options you have.

After all, it is better to voice your concerns rather than face issues physically while burning a hole in your pocket.

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Healthcare in Japan for Tourists: What to Do When You Get Sick or Injured in Japan

Getting injured or sick in Japan is the last thing you need while traveling. Still, sometimes it does happen and getting the help and health care you need can be quite the ordeal in a country with a different language and culture. Still, there’s no need to panic: from smaller discomforts such as jetlag to being in an accident, here is everything you need to know when getting injured or sick in Japan.

1) What if I Get Sick in Japan? Seeing a Doctor in Japan

2) can i use my insurance in japan check the what and how of your foreign travel health insurance, 3) no need for a doctor: where to buy over-the-counter medicine, 4) accidents and sudden sickness: calling the ambulance with 119.

1) What if I Get Sick in Japan? Seeing a Doctor in Japan

If you need to see a doctor or go to the hospital while in Japan, check the “Search Medical Institutions” site by the Japan Tourism Agency. On top of that, hotel desks and tourist information centers are places that will help you out as well. If you have a foreign travel health insurance, your insurance company will also point you to affiliated medical institutions. - List of tourist-friendly medical institutions (Japan Tourism Agency) Search for doctors and hospitals all over the country by area, language, medical department, whether credit card payment is accepted, and JMIP (“Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients,” an accreditation system for medical institutions accepting international patients). Available in: English, Chinese, Korean <@https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html#search|a=https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html#search>

doctor visit in japan

Example of multilingual medical institutions with JMIP certification in Tokyo Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine Address: 1-21-1 Toyama , Shinjuku -ku, Tōkyō-to 162-0052 Phone: 03-3202-7181 24-hour emergency visit, English language support, JMIP certification Tokyo Nishi Tokushukai Hospital Address: 3-1-1 Matsubara-chō, Akishima-shi, Tōkyō-to 196-0003 Phone: 042-500-4433 Emergency visit, English/Chinese/Korean language support, JMIP certification About Japanese Hospitals Japan has university-affiliated hospitals, public hospitals operated by the state or city, large private hospitals, and small clinics. While large hospitals boast several departments, facilities, and numerous staff members, patients with referrals get preferred treatment and walk-in patients usually have to wait quite a long time before being able to see a doctor. In case of an emergency in Japan, please make sure to go to an emergency hospital or one that accepts walk-ins at night, or call 119 for an ambulance. Japan emergency number The emergency number in Japan is 119.

doctor visit in japan

Bring notes about your own medical information Not all hospitals have resident interpreters or staff that can speak English. If you have a medical condition or are pregnant, it is a good idea to prepare notes about your medical information in English. Bring them with you to the hospital as they can help to make the experience a lot smoother. It also helps if you happen to be in an accident or condition that leaves you unable to explain – the staff can simply read your notes then.

Important medical information: - Name - Blood type - Any illnesses currently being treated - Any medicines you are taking - Allergies - Medical history - Your religion - Emergency contact information

doctor visit in japan

Getting prescriptions and medicine in Japan After the doctor’s examination, you will get a prescription for the necessary medicine at the checkout counter when you settle your bill. Small clinics often have a drug dispensary, but in most cases, you will simply be given a prescription. In that case, you have to get the medicine at a pharmacy by yourself. Large hospitals have several pharmacies in their direct vicinity, so simply give them your prescription and you will receive the medicine. If you cannot find a pharmacy nearby, you need to look for a “prescription pharmacy ” or drugstore nearby, featuring the characters 処方箋薬局 (shohōsen yakkyoku). Look inside stores for a prescription counter and see if they can help you. Also, if you get your medicine at a pharmacy , you will have to pay for it separately. If you don’t know where to go to get the medicine, ask the reception of the hospital. Even if they do not speak English, they can help you with a map!

2) Can I Use my Insurance in Japan? Check the What and How of Your Foreign Travel Health Insurance!

Going to a hospital and paying the full medical bill can be very expensive in Japan. Foreign travel health insurances of your own country will cover part of the medical expenses you have during a trip abroad. Depending on your insurance, you can even get treatment at designated hospitals without the need for cash. It depends on your insurance how much you will have to pay and whether hospitals offer this cashless service, so check your insurance details and choose a hospital accordingly. Sometimes, you may be able to connect your credit card to your foreign travel health insurance in advance. In any case, these are details that you should confirm before, alongside having a contact in case something happens during your trip. If you do not have foreign travel insurance from your own country, you can apply for one after coming to Japan. Having such insurance is a safe choice, should you encounter any emergency in Japan. Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. Available languages: English, Chinese, Korean Insurance fee: 760 yen per day, 3,610 yen for up to 10 days (see the link below for details) Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Available languages: English, Chinese, Korean Insurance fee: 2,900 yen for 10 days (depends on the number of days. See the homepage for details) Insurance Support Call Center 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed from December 31 to January 3) English: 0120-950-786 (free) Chinese: 0120-950-857 (free) Korean: 0120-950-913 (free)

doctor visit in japan

Examples of estimated medical expenses without insurance - First medical examination: ~3,000 yen - Blood test: ~6,000 yen - X-ray: from 2,000 yen (varies by body part and number of images) - Abdominal CT: ~15,000 yen - Treatment, surgery: ~5,500 yen (cut finger), ~20,000 yen (fractured foot) Of course, the total medical bill is a combination of all treatments and measures you received. If you need to undergo surgery as a result of a traffic accident, for example, the cost may reach hundreds of thousands of yen.

3) No Need for a Doctor: Where to Buy Over-the-counter Medicine

If you feel sick but don’t feel that seeing a doctor is necessary, such as having a cold, stomach issues, drank too much, getting a wound from falling, and so on, you can simply buy medicine at a drugstore. Let’s check what and how to buy!

doctor visit in japan

Drugstore chains in Japan The large drugstore chain Matsumoto Kiyoshi has multilingual staff at many of its locations in Tokyo. Especially shops in Shibuya , Shinjuku , Ikebukuro , and Ginza – neighborhoods with a lot of tourists – tend to have staff able to speak English, Chinese, and Korean. Do not hesitate to talk to the staff when you need medicine for a specific issue. Feel free to look up our guide on medicine popular among Japanese people, recommended by the store manager of Matsumoto Kiyoshi Ginza Miyuki Ave, and speak to the store’s own pharmacist!

doctor visit in japan

Can I buy drugs from my own country in Japan? Approved drugs vary in type and composition from country to country. It is not uncommon that a drug, readily available in your own country, is prohibited to manufacture and sell somewhere else. If you regularly take medicine at home, it is highly recommended to bring a sufficient amount to Japan as well. - Bringing medicine into Japan As mentioned above, if you take a medicine regularly, you are allowed to bring it to Japan. Regular drugs for cold or stomach issues in pill or powder form can also be imported without issues. Try to limit the amount to what you need and store it in your suitcase, except for the specific amount you plan on taking on the plane. If you’re using a pill case or another container, it is best to bring either the original box or the patient information leaflet that clearly states the manufacturer and the base compounding, as you might be asked about the drugs. If you have liquid medicine in a 100ml container, put it in a transparent bag and show it at the baggage inspection. If you need special medicine or a large amount in your carry-on luggage due to a medical condition, make sure to notify and show it to the staff along with a medical certificate and prescription. With a doctor’s prescription, you are allowed to bring pills, powdered and liquid medicine to Japan.

4) Accidents and Sudden Sickness: Calling the Ambulance with 119

Should there be an accident or you suddenly feel sick in Japan, do go to an emergency hospital or call an ambulance. If you feel well enough to look up or ask directions to such an emergency hospital, you can get there by taxi. If you need urgent care, do not hesitate to call an ambulance via 119. Of course, 119 is free from both mobile phones and payphones. Should you not have a mobile phone on you and cannot find a public phone, ask nearby Japanese people to call a kyūkyūsha (ambulance). - How to call an ambulance 1) Call 119. 2) Say “medical emergency.” (English is fine.) 119 responds to both fire and medical emergencies, so it is important to say that you need first aid. 3) Tell the operator where you are. 4) Tell them “who,” “since when,” and “what kind of symptoms.” 5) Name the “patient’s name,” a “contact” (such as phone number), and the patient’s “age.” In general, the information as just described is confirmed by phone. Answer the operator to the best of your ability, and should you not know your current whereabouts, ask nearby Japanese people for help. - Japanese phrases for calling an ambulance When talking to 119: Kyū-kyū-sha o onegai shimasu. (“I need an ambulance/This is a medical emergency.”) When asking nearby people to call an ambulance: Kyū-kyū-sha o yonde kudasai. (“Please call an ambulance.”)

doctor visit in japan

- Expenses for medical treatment in Japan Japanese ambulances are free, regardless of your nationality. However, you are responsible for the medical bill at the destination hospital. It is safest to have a foreign travel health insurance, just in case anything unforeseen happens. Depending on your insurance, some hospitals offer cashless settlements, so it is best to check the details of your insurance beforehand. Large hospitals tend to have credit card payment while smaller clinics may only accept cash.

doctor visit in japan

“Guide for Ambulance Services” http://www.fdma.go.jp/html/life/gaikokujin_kyukyusya_guide/pdf/pamphiet_english.pdf Source: Fire and Disaster Management Agency Last but not least, there are downloadable guidebooks (in PDF format) that summarize all the points we have talked about so far. Save it on your device or print it out and put it in your luggage! “Guidebook for when you are feeling ill” English https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/common/pdf/guide_eng.pdf Chinese (traditional) https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/common/pdf/guide_chi01.pdf Chinese (simplified) https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/common/pdf/guide_chi02.pdf Korean https://wwzw.jnto.go.jp/emergency/common/pdf/guide_kor.pdf Thai https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/common/pdf/guide_tai.pdf

doctor visit in japan

Should you experience an accident or other trouble, remember what you read about today and there’s no need to panic! Being prepared won’t only help during an actual emergency in Japan, it also lets you travel with greater peace of mind. We wish you a wonderful and thoroughly trouble-free trip to Japan!

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The True Japan

Going to the Doctor in Japan: A Quick Guide

A middle aged, male doctor touching a man's leg while he is lying down. The doctor is smiling at the man in bed.

  • Useful Japanese Phrases for When You Go to the Doctor

Going to the doctor in Japan can be a mixed experience, especially if you don’t speak much Japanese. Japan has a “hybrid” healthcare system, meaning that the government pays for 70% of costs (or more if you’re a low-income elderly resident) and the remaining 30% is covered by private health insurance. People either buy their own or have employer-sponsored insurance.

On one hand, because of the way the healthcare system works in Japan, you can easily walk into any clinic or hospital without an appointment and be seen. This means that going to the doctor in Japan is usually cheap and convenient.

On the other hand, you might have to wait a while, depending on how busy it is (and believe me, you can be there a while).

The language barrier is enough to give you a headache and can make you feel worse than you already are.

But armed with the right phrases and your 保険証 (“hokensho” or insurance card), going to the doctor in Japan can be a breeze.  This guide will include basic phrases to help you communicate at a doctor’s office in Japan.  Check out our  huge list of Japanese phrases if you want to learn more:  Japanese Phrases for Seeing a Doctor in Japan

Going to the Doctor in Japan Insurance Card

Getting Started

Finding a hospital, checking in at the hospital/doctor’s office, seeing the doctor, the examination, at the pharmacy, final thoughts.

There’s one thing you should know about going to see a medical professional in Japan. It’s completely normal to go to the hospital for minor ailments, or even for a check-up.

Unlike other countries like the United States, going to the hospital doesn’t mean that you have a serious injury or illness.

In fact, even small clinics or private doctor’s offices can be referred to as hosptials. In Japan: Going to the hosptial usually means the same thing as going to the doctor.

First you’ll have to find a place to go.

If you’re looking for a hospital/clinic nearest you, you can say:

一番近い病院はどこですか? (Ichiban chikai byou-in wa doko desu ka?) English: Where is the closest hospital?

If you’re in a cab and you want to tell the driver to head to the nearest hospital, you can say:

一番近い病院までお願いします。(Ichiban chikai byou-in made onegai shimasu.) English: To the nearest hosptial, please.

Is it an emergency? In that case, you should say:

緊急です! (Kinkyuu desu!) English: It’s an emergency!

The word for emergency hospital is: 救急病院 (Kyuukyuu byou-in)

Once you’ve arrived at the hospital, you’ll head to the desk with a sign that says:

受付  (Uketsuke) English: Reception

You’ll want to say to the receptionist:

診察を受けたいのですが。 (Shinsatsu wo uketai no desu ga.) English: I’d like to be seen by the doctor.

The next thing you’ll be asked is if this is your first time at the hospital:

初めてですか?  (Hajimete desu ka?) English: Is this your first time (to visit this hospital/clinic)?

To which you should reply (if it is):

はい、初めてです。 (Hai, hajimete desu.) English: Yes, it’s my first visit.

You will be given a form to fill out if this is your first visit. This form includes basic information such as your name and address, but might also ask you about your medical history (history of illness, allergies, etc.).You might try asking them if you can fill it out in English. Sometimes it’s ok, and will save you a lot of trouble.

If it’s your first time, or it’s the start of a new month, you’ll be asked for your health insurance card.

The receptionist will likely say:

保険証はありますか?” / ”保険証をお願いします。 (Hokenshou wa arimasu ka? / Hokenshou wo onegaishimasu.) English: Do you have your insurance card? / Your insurance card, please.

If this is not your first time, you will also be asked for your 診察 券 (shinsatsu-ken), which is like your ID card for the hospital. You usually receive this card from the reception after your first visit. That way, the next time you go to that hospital/doctor, all you have to do is show them that card (and health insurance card) and they’ll be able to look up your information.

Then the receptionist will ask if you have a fever:

“熱はありますか?” (Netsu wa arimasu ka?)

English:  Do you have a fever?

If you do have a fever, you might be directed to a different, separate waiting room in case you have the flu or some other highly contagious sickness, so it’s good to mention it early.

Then you’ll either take a number and wait for it to be called, or if you’re at a smaller clinic, a nurse will call you by name when it’s your turn.

Once you’re in the 診察室 (shinsatsu-shitsu “examination room”) with the doctor, it’s time to describe your symptoms.

The doctor will usually ask something like:

“今日はどうされました?” (Kyou wa dou sare mashita?) English:  What brings you here today?

Below are ways to describe some common symptoms (症状- shou jyou) that you might experience:

  • 風邪気味です。 (Kaze-gimi desu) “I think I’m coming down with a cold.”
  • 熱があります。 (Netsu ga arimasu) “I have a fever.”
  • 咳がひどいです。 (Seki ga hidoi desu) “I have a bad cough.”
  • 吐き気がします。 (Haki-ke ga shimasu) “I feel like I might vomit.”
  • 嘔吐しました。(Outo shimashita) “I threw up.”
  • 便秘です。 (Benpi desu) “I am constipated.”
  • 気分が悪いです。(Kibun ga warui desu) “I feel nauseated/sick.”
  • 下痢です。 (Geri desu) “I have diarrhea.”
  • めまいがします (Memai ga shimasu) “I’m dizzy.”
  • 寒気がします。(Samu ke ga shimasu) “I have the chills.”
  • よく眠れません。(Yoku nemure ma sen) “I can’t sleep well.”
  • 胸が痛いです。(Mune ga itai desu) “My chest hurts.”
  • 喉が痛いです。(Nodo ga itai desu) “My throat hurts.”
  • 頭が痛いです。(Atama ga itai desu) “My head hurts.”
  • お腹が痛いです。(Onaka ga itai desu) “My stomach hurts.”
  • 身体中が痛いです。(Karada jyuu ga itai desu) “My whole body hurts.”
  • かゆいです。(Kayui desu) “It’s itchy.”

If you are experiencing pain but cannot describe where, you can point to it on your body and say:

ここが痛いです。 (Koko ga itai desu) English:  It hurts here.

Here are some useful phrases to know during the examination.

  • では熱を測りましょう。 (De wa, netsu wo hakari ma shou) “Let’s take your temperature.”
  • 血圧を測りましょう。(Ketsu-atsu wo hakarimashou) “Let’s take your blood pressure.”
  • 体重を測りましょう。(Taijyuu wo hakarimashou) “Let’s measure your weight.”
  • 身長を測りましょう。(Shinchou wo hakarimashou) “Let’s measure your height.”
  • 検査ベッドに横になってください。(Kensa beddo ni yoko ni natte kudasai) “Please lie down on the examination bed.”

If you need one, the doctor will write you a prescription, and you’ll head back to the waiting room to be called again.

Before you leave, your doctor and the staff might say:

お大事に。 (Odaiji ni) English:  Take care.

Once called, you’ll pay for the visit, get your prescription, and be on your way.

Going to the Doctor in Japan Medicine

Next, you’ll head to a pharmacy to get your prescription filled.

Fortunately, most cities have pharmacies all over the place, and are easy to find if you look for the kanji:  薬局(yakkyoku)

処方せん (Shohou sen) Prescription

The term for pharmacy is 薬局 (yakkyoku), but not all of them will fill prescriptions, so definitely look for the kanji for “prescription.” Pharmacies are often located very near to doctor’s offices or hospitals. The nearest pharmacy might even be next door to the doctor you just visited.

You’ll hand your prescription paper to the receptionist and wait for your name to be called. Just like with a doctor, you may be asked to fill in a form the first time you visit (or if you haven’t been back for a long period of time).

doctor visit in japan

Some common terms you might hear from the pharmacist are:

  • 薬 (Kusuri): Medicine
  • 風邪薬 (Kaze-gusuri): Cold medicine
  • 抗生物質 (Kousei busshitsu): Antibiotics
  • 痛み止め (Itami-dome): Pain relief medicine
  • 1日3回 (Ichi nichi sankai): 3 times a day
  • 食前 (Shokuzen): Before meals
  • 食後 (Shokugo): After meals

No need to book an appointment (for most places), and no need to travel very far, since there’s probably a clinic or pharmacy right around the corner from you, if you live in a big enough city.

Just pick one you like and walk in.

That being said, many hospitals and doctor offices have online scheduling systems. I highly recommend you make an appointment if possible. Also, some places offers online queuing, where you can place yourself in a numbered que online. You can then see what number in the queue you are, and head over to the doctor accordingly.

If you’re in a big city (Tokyo, Osaka, etc.) there is a very good chance that you can find a doctor who speaks English. Some doctor’s even have their website in English.

Japan’s healthcare system is very inexpensive, especially when compared to other countries.

Prescription medication is usually also inexpensive, so going to the doctor isn’t a financially stressful experience like it can be in the U.S.

But with a language barrier, it’s daunting to take advantage of this amazing healthcare available to everyone.

Hopefully you’re now equipped with enough language to talk to your doctor and have a smooth experience at your next hospital visit.

Do you have experience visiting a doctor in Japan?

What are some useful phrases you would share with your fellow travelers?

Tell us in the comments!

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What If I'm Sick? Guide To Japanese Hospitals

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If you live, study, or work in Japan, you will likely go to a hospital or clinic. What should you be aware of when visiting one in Japan? What if you don't speak Japanese? This article answers these questions and more, from how your first visit will go, to the cost of getting a prescription filled.

Hospitals in Japan

There will likely come a time when you need to visit a hospital, clinic, or another medical facility in Japan if you are staying in the country long-term. What does one need to be aware of when seeing getting medical attention in Japan? How about if you don't understand Japanese? What happens if you don't have Japanese health insurance? How much does it cost to see a doctor in Japan?

This article will answer these questions about health care in Japan and how to have a smooth visit.

Tips When Visiting a Japanese Hospital

hospitals in japan

During your first visit to a hospital or clinic in Japan, you will often have to fill out a patient intake questionnaire about your symptoms or the reason why you came. The length and content of the survey depend on the facility you are at.

You will also be asked questions about your health habits:

Are there any medications you are taking? Do you have any medications that could cause an allergic reaction? Are you pregnant? Do you have a drinking and smoking habit?

In addition to writing this essential information on your intake sheet, be sure to speak to your doctor directly when you meet them to make sure they understand the other medicines you are taking or if you have allergies.

If you are not comfortable with Japanese enough to use it to describe your health, be sure to fill out this English and Japanese form and bring it to the hospital: Click here to download the PDF .

Can I Use a Credit Card to Pay My Hospital Bill?

Japanese hospitals

Usually, in small hospitals and clinics in rural areas and small towns, payment is cash only. Only a few large hospitals accept credit card payment in Japan.

If you are staying in Japan for a short period, your medical insurance may reimburse you for some of your medical expenses after you return home. Be sure to confirm with your insurance company before you travel.

What Do I Do When I See the Doctor?

visiting hospitals in japan

The doctors and nurses are often very friendly in Japan. When they see that you are a foreigner, they will very likely try to talk to you slowly and in a clear manner. If they speak English or a foreign language, they may use this to communicate with you.

If you feel confused about what has been said or don't understand something, be sure to ask your doctor for help. You can ask them to write down your symptoms and keywords and check them at home.

doctor visit in japan

Japanese Phrases To Use When You're Sick Or In The Hospital

How Do I Choose Which Hospital to Go to?

visiting hospitals in japan

If you are concerned about language issues, you should first check online for hospitals that are multilingual. If you are concerned about how hospitals are ranked, you can also see the following website before your visit.

Reviews of Hospitals in Japan: https://caloo.jp/ (Japanese only)

Search for Medical Facilities with English and Foreign Language Support

The following website run by the Japan National Tourism Organization will allow you to search for medical facilities throughout Japan that offer services in English and other foreign languages.

https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html

You can also search for hospitals and clinics that offer services in languages other than English at the following site (Japanese only).

https://byoinnavi.jp/foreign_language_speakers

In addition, links to multilingual medical facilities in major cities in Japan are listed below (some website functions require Japanese reading ability).

Can I Visit the Hospital Without Japanese Health Insurance?

visiting hospitals in japan

When you change your job (*), if you haven't been issued your health insurance card, or are not staying in Japan long enough to have health insurance, but have to go to the hospital because you feel sick, what happens?

Those without a Japanese health insurance card will have to pay the full amount of your hospital charges. If you have to, you can apply to get refunded to the health insurance association or your ward office post-visit (please note that the full amount may not be refunded.) Be sure to receive a receipt and an official statement of charges before leaving the hospital.

*In Japan, you are required to change your health insurance card depending on the company, so it is necessary to change the health insurance card that you made at your previous company after you changed jobs. Your insurance card will be collected. You can apply for a new health insurance card when you join the company, or you can purchase national health insurance while you are employed.

What to Expect during a Vist to a Japanese Hospital

visiting hospitals in japan

  • 1. Present your health insurance card at the reception desk.
  • 2. If it is your first visit to this facility, you are a new patient and will have to fill in a medical questionnaire in the waiting room. Return it to the front desk when you have filled it out.
  • 3. If you have a fever, someone will measure your temperature.
  • 4. Wait for the doctor to call you for a consultation.
  • 5. After being called in, consult with the doctor and receive treatment for your symptoms.
  • 6. Return to the lobby and pay the bill.
  • 7. Go to the nearest pharmacy with the prescription given at the reception desk. The receptionist can give you directions to the nearest pharmacy.
  • 8. Get your medicine from the pharmacy and pay.

Wait times vary depending on how busy the hospital is. The author of this article once lived in a small town with few hospitals, and sometimes the wait was four hours. However, in large cities like Tokyo, it will often less time, as there are so many hospitals. To avoid long waits, try to visit right when the facility opens on a weekday, so you can finish your visit within an hour or two.

How Much Does it Cost to See a Doctor in Japan?

visiting hospitals in japan

The total cost of a visit to a medical facility in Japan is around 5,000 yen in total, for those with insurance. The first consultation to a clinic or hospital will likely cost around 3,000 to 4,000 yen. If you are visiting for a follow-up appointment, the cost of your visit may be less than 1,000 yen. The cost of receiving prescribed medication in Japan ranges from 1 to 2,000 yen.

Please keep in mind that if you don't have a health insurance card, you will have to pay for the entire bill yourself. Therefore, the fees will be more expensive.

In Japan, the consultation fee for seeing a doctor is determined by a point system, based on the nature of the consultation. You will usually be given a receipt and a medical care statement at the front desk after your visit ends (please keep in mind that it is usually only in Japanese) containing these details and a breakdown of expenses.

Japan's Standard for Doctor Consultation Fees

visiting hospitals in japan

The calculation method for medical consultation fees in Japan is:

Points x 10 yen x percentage you have to pay = total fee

The percentage of the cost varies by age (see below), but it is generally 30%. For example, if a 20-year-old person is examined for the first time, they will receive 288 points for their first visit. They will be charged 288 points x 10 x 0.3 = 860 yen (rounded off to the nearest 10 yen).

What Percentage Cost do Health Insurance Holders Pay?

If you have a health insurance card, the percentage of the cost of the consultation varies depending on your age group.

For those under age 6, the burden is 20%. Elementary school-age through age 69 is 30%, between 70 and 74 is 20%, and those aged 75 and older pay 10%. Patients of a certain income bracket may have to pay 30% regardless of their age.

Medical Bill Details

First Visit Fee (初診料, shoshin ryo): the first visit fee is a flat fee of 288 points nationwide. If you have a long term rehab visit and then come back in a month later, you still get your first visit fee!

Repeat Visit Fee (再診料, saishin ryo): 73 points for small hospitals and clinics with less than 200 beds. The points are added for visits at special times.

Outpatient fee (外来診療料 gairai shinryo ryo): For large hospitals with more than 200 beds, a 74-point outpatient fee will be added in place of the repeat visit fee.

Medication Fee (投薬料 toyaku ryo): Includes a prescription fee for the doctor to specify the type and amount of medication.

The above fees are the same for all patients. However, there is a surcharge for children under six years old, children on Sundays, public holidays, between Dec. 29 and Jan. 3, and after business hours.

How to Use a Prescription Medicine Handbook (Okusuri Techo) in Japan

visiting hospitals in japan

When you go to pick up your medication at the pharmacy with your prescription, most of the time, you will be asked, "Do you have a prescription medication handbook? Known as "okusuri techo" in Japanese, this pocketbook is essential for people living in Japan, as it shows a record of the medicines that have been prescribed to you and what medications you have taken in the past.

When you receive prescription medicine for the first time in Japan, you will get one of these handbooks with a picture on the cover. This little pocketbook is not only cute and cute, but it is also very versatile, so make sure you take it with you to the hospital and pharmacy with you!

Advantages of a Medication Handbook

visiting hospitals in japan

1. Prevent Double Prescriptions

When you visit more than one hospital, you may be prescribed the same medication. Even if the medicine has a different name, the ingredients and effects may be the same. Having a medication handbook can help prevent this.

2. Easy for Medical Professionals to Understand Your Allergies

Some people may be allergic to certain medications. A medication handbook will help you keep track of which drugs you are allergic to, and You can also predict from your medication booklet which medicines may cause an allergic reaction.

3. See Your Medical History and Past Prescriptions

This book makes it easy to remember and recall your past medicines and health conditions. Your future health will be simpler to determine with a handbook.

4. Reduce the Risk of Drug Contamination

Taking more than one medication may cause side effects when taken with other medicines. This handbook, however, helps avoid this.

GTN Assistants, a Life Support Service Exclusively for GTN MOBILE users

Many fresh residents of Japan, who may not be very confident with their Japanese skills yet, may wish they had someone offering information and advice regarding living in Japan.

When applying for GTN MOBILE , you can add GTN Assistants as an option to your plan for just 1,078 yen per month. GTN Assistants offers support to foreign residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in 19 languages! Their support services include:

- consultations by chat regarding living in Japan - interpretation services for various situations in daily life - interpretation during medical consultations - notifications about coupons, discounts, and lifestyle tips

During your first few months in Japan, do consider using this convenient service if you have concerns regarding living in Japan.

Sign up for GTN Assistants .

Visiting and Getting Care at Japanese Hospitals

The answers in this article about visiting hospitals and receiving medical care in Japan are practical and useful for anyone in Japan. Use this article as a reference when you need to see a doctor or get medical attention. We hope you feel better soon!

doctor visit in japan

How To Find A Job In Japan - Websites And Tips For Applying

doctor visit in japan

Hailing from Taichung, Taiwan, this woman's eyes light up at the mention of food. Having experienced incredible moments in Japan, she now resides in the Southern Hemisphere, using images and words to record precious memories and discoveries from her travels. She is the author of "Japan, Slow Travel: Encountering Mountain Cities, Floral Seasons, Islands, Seafood, Street Scenes, and Everyday Life, 2190X Seasonal Poems".

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doctor visit in japan

Visiting a doctor in Japan

To know where you should go check our article about the difference between hospitals and clinics in Japan first.

At a clinic

It depends on the actual clinic you visit, but typically you don’t need a reservation for your first time visit. You can call in advance if you wish, but you will not be turned down in case you just show up at the clinic.

Once inside, stop at the front reception ( uketsuke , 受付) and give them your health insurance card .

If it’s your first visit, tell them:

  • “初めてです。= Hajimete desu.

You will then be given a medical questionnaire form which you will have to fill in. It’s called  monshinhyou  (問診票) and contains general information about yourself:

  • past conditions,
  • an inquiry about the purpose of your visit at the clinic.

If you need language support, simply let the staff members know that you need help.

Once you have filled the questionnaire, return it to the reception desk staff and wait for your name to be called. At some point you will be called to enter the doctor’s examination room, where you will once again be asked to answer questions about your condition.

Once the doctor has established what the problem is, he/she will explain it to you and tell you what the next step is. When you’re done, once again go back to the waiting area at the reception desk and wait until you are called to pay.

If you are given a prescription, you will be guided to a nearby pharmacy (usually attached to the clinic or nearby).

Once there, you will once again be asked to fill in a medical questionnaire listing any allergies you have. Pass it on to the pharmacist in charge together with your health insurance and wait until your turn comes. Once you’ve received your medicines, pay and you’re ready to go home.

At a hospital

If you’re in a hospital you’re either there because of an emergency or a more serious condition, or you’ve been referred to by a clinic you have visiter earlier.

Hospitals typically operate per reservation only  usually  for the initial visit and  always  from your second visit on. If you have a referral letter ( shokaijo , 紹介状) from a clinic, show this to the person in charge at the reception desk along with your health insurance. You will then be guided to the department you should be checked at. Once there, wait at the waiting area until you are called.

Once inside, your doctor will guide you through the examinations, typically asking more detailed questions. Be prepared to wait longer if you are visiting a larger hospital. From your next visit, you will also be given a medical card for the hospital, usually with your next appointment written on the back of it. It is called  shinsatsuken  (診察券 ). Carry this with you every time you visit the hospital.

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How to go to the doctor in Japan? 医者にかかる

  • Published on : 29/12/2019
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Un hôpital de Tokyo

A hospital in Tokyo

Dick Thomas Johnson

Being sick in Japan, all there is to know

You don't choose the day to fall ill or get injured... Here are some tips in case you have to deal with the Japanese medical services during your trip! Some useful vocabulary in Japanese, how to find an English-speaking or even French-speaking doctor, but also all the steps to get treatment: discover our practical guide.

Essential information

The Japanese National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has on its official website a very complete guide in English on the procedure to follow if you need treatment in Japan.

  • In the event of an emergency: Go to the emergency department of the nearest open hospital or call an ambulance on 119.
  • If you need a consultation with a specialist: Go to a hospital or clinic. Remember to check the schedules in advance, as they vary according to the establishments.
  • If you do not need to see a doctor: Go to a traditional pharmacy or one of the many drugstores , often open until late at night. Ask advice from pharmacists or sellers if in doubt because you will not find the same medicines as in the West.

Une pharmacie japonaise

A Japanese pharmacy

The Japanese medical system

In the West, for some years now, it is standard practice to have a family doctor. It is the family doctor who has followed you since your childhood who takes on this role. In Japan, whether you have a bad cold, appendicitis, or a broken ankle, you're off to the hospital or the clinic! If you know which specialist you need to go to, you will need to find a clinic in advance that has the right service for your problem. Otherwise, the hospital will direct you to the appropriate establishment.

Before leaving, check that your insurance covers medical expenses abroad . Otherwise, we advise you to take out one that does. You will generally have to pay 30% of the bill , sometimes very steep! Don't forget to send it to your insurance company to get reimbursed. Also, remember to take your insurance papers before going to the doctor so as not to advance all the costs and to take cash because very few establishments accept credit cards .

Medical consultation in Japanese

If you have to or feel up to overcoming the language barrier and seeing a Japanese doctor, here's what you need to know. First of all, the number of years of study does not mean that your interlocutor masters the language of Shakespeare, so there is little chance that English can help you . You will need to fill out  an information form on arrival (sometimes available in English).

The doctor will check the information on the form with you orally and give you a prescription after analyzing your symptoms and carrying out the necessary examinations. It is rare for a doctor to ask a patient to undress if it is not essential. Also, likely, you are not subjected to real auscultation, something which may surprise you. Japanese modesty shows up at surprising times. Fear not, with its life expectancy at almost 84 and its healthy life expectancy at 75, taking it to number one in the world in both rankings, Japan doesn't need to prove that its medical system is on point. The Japanese Ministry of Health declared in 2015 an impressive number of 178,000 medical establishments , including almost 8,500 hospitals and more than 100,000 clinics.

Au sein de l'hôpital

Within the hospital

Miki Yoshihito

Useful medical vocabulary

To the hospital :

  • Hospital : byôin 病院
  • Clinic : kurinikku クリニック
  • Reception: uketsuke 受付
  • Insurance card: hokenshô 保険証
  • Medical visit: shinsatsu 診察
  • Auscultation room: shinsatsushitsu 診察室
  • Payment counter: kaikeimadoguchi 会計窓口
  • I have pain in this place : koko ga itai desu ここが痛いです
  • Headache: zutsu 頭痛
  • Cough: seki 咳
  • Fever : netsu 熱
  • Diarrhea: geri 下痢
  • Constipation: benpi 便秘
  • Allergy : arerugi アレルギー

To the drugstore :

  • Pharmacy : yakkyoku 薬局
  • Medicines : kusuri 薬
  • Analgesics/painkillers: itamedome 痛み止め
  • Tablets/lozenges: jôzai 錠剤

" Odaiji ni " (お大事に). When you leave the doctor's office, the hospital, or the pharmacy, chances are you will hear this phrase from the medical staff. It means " Take care of yourself " and is a formula widely used in Japan!

You will also find a very useful list of medical terms on the French Embassy website.

French and English speaking doctors in Japan

Unless you have expatriate knowledge in Japan, it will not be easy to find a French or English-speaking doctor. On its website, the Embassy of France offers a list of doctors and specialists with whom you can communicate more easily.

  • Official website of the Japanese Embassy in France

Medicines in Japan

Be aware that the dosages are different in Japan. While we regularly take 1 gram tablets of paracetamol, the Japanese are content with 300 milligrams. Also, you won't have entire boxes of prescribed medication. When you go with your prescription to the pharmacy, you will be given the exact number of pills you need during your treatment and you will also be asked to complete a form to register for your first visit so that you know what treatment you have. taken.

Do not worry if you have not remembered the doctor's instructions, at the pharmacy you will be told exactly which stamp to take at which time of the day . Often pictures of the pills will even be printed on the prescription so as not to tangle the brushes.

Une ordonnance bien pratique

A handy prescription

Jeff Flickr

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Japan's National Healthcare Guide (From An American Perspective) Tips and Emotional Support for Visiting Doctors in Japan

February 1, 2022 • words written by Emily Suvannasankha • Art by Aya Francisco

As an American, I had little experience with medical care before living in Japan for two years. Like many people in the States, my health insurance situation had often been spotty, which meant I found myself in Japan with 23 years of long-standing health issues to address. Luckily, under Japan's National Health Insurance, or Kokumin Kenkō Hoken (国民健康保険), I could finally end my cycle of total bodily neglect and take affordable steps toward a healthier life.

Since I come from the viewpoint of a previously uninsured American, the beginning and end of this article will focus on the emotional side of taking care of your health in Japan. However, the bulk of my advice is for anyone who's looking to dip their toes into the Japanese healthcare system in their (perhaps limited) time in Japan. I'll break everything down step by step, from deciding where to go, to paying for treatment, to tackling the language barrier with Japanese physicians.

After reading about my experiences, I hope you'll feel more empowered to swing by a doctor while you're a resident of Japan!

Table of Contents

Encountering japanese healthcare as an uninsured american, paying the monthly bill, the point system, cost of seeing a doctor, cost of treatment and/or medication, what to bring, overcoming the language barrier, medical questionnaire, filling your prescriptions, general practitioner of internal medicine (内科), gynecologist (婦人科), mental health specialist (メンタル), buying glasses, buying contacts, getting your wisdom teeth removed, ease of going to the doctor, different views on confidentiality, consent to withhold diagnosis, foreigners held to japanese body standards, annual health checks at school and work, medication tracking apps, continuing to care about your health.

To foreigners from countries with a less predatory healthcare system than the US, Japan's national health insurance might not seem like such a big deal. But to the approximately 30 million uninsured Americans who avoid the doctor like the plague, having access to affordable medical care in Japan is nothing less than life-changing. And on top of those who are uninsured, millions more under insured Americans suffer from high premiums, inadequate coverage, and unreliable insurance tied to their job that they could lose at any time. Unfortunately, this leads to a fair number of Americans landing in Japan less healthy than they could be.

When I first arrived in Japan, I was so used to shrugging off health problems that getting them fixed didn't even cross my mind. In fact, the idea of using my Japanese health insurance to address my chronic medical issues didn't occur to me until I'd already lived there for a year and a half. My conditioning may be on the extreme side, but many Americans grow up learning to weather their ailments and simply "power through" to avoid medical expenses. I explained this to many Japanese doctors and was always met with astonishment and pity.

Japanese healthcare is generally so cheap and easy to access that almost everyone does it, a lot .

So to any traumatized Americans, if you need someone to tell you it's okay to go to the doctor instead of sitting around hoping that giant knife wound magically heals itself, here it is. Your health matters, and you are allowed to get help. In fact, no one will blink an eye at you seeking medical assistance in Japan, even for minor issues. Japanese healthcare is generally so cheap and easy to access that almost everyone does it, a lot .

If you're worried about dealing with doctors in a foreign country and language, I understand — it's an intimidating task. And as a person predisposed to medical anxiety with a lifetime of avoidance to overcome, I know how hard it can be emotionally as well as logistically. But you deserve a healthier life than our country has often allowed us. So if you can set down any baggage you're carrying and summon the courage to trust the Japanese healthcare system, I think you and your body will be glad you did, for years or even decades to come.

Cost of National Health Insurance

Cost of health insurance in Japan

Okay, now that I've encouraged you to hightail it to the doctor, you'll need to know how to get a medical issue checked out using Japanese health insurance. If you're wondering about the difference between National Health Insurance ( Kokumin Kenkō Hoken ) and Employees' Health Insurance ( Kenkō Hoken ), check out Verity's Tofugu article on Surviving Japan's Medical System . Here, I'll explain how to use that handy dandy insurance card to get some medical visits done in Japan.

Of course, there are quite a few logistics to work out at your local ward office once you get to Japan, and health insurance is one of them. Not to worry — if you've successfully conveyed that you're there because you're new to the country, you'll eventually be ushered to the health insurance window.

Every foreigner who has a residence visa that lasts over three months is legally required to have health insurance in Japan. Both national and employees' health insurance covers roughly 70% of your medical expenses, leaving you with the other 30%. That extra 30% is occasionally subsidized or covered by your employer's accident insurance, but otherwise you'll shell it out yourself.

Every foreigner who has a residence visa that lasts over three months is legally required to have health insurance in Japan.

After you receive your little paper health insurance card at the ward office, you'll receive a monthly bill in the mail. You can pay this bill at any convenience store or sign up for automatic withdrawal from your bank account at the ward office. Sometimes, in addition to the regular monthly bill, you'll get a whole wad of bills that you can use to pay for six months' worth of insurance at once. As a student with only part-time jobs, I handed over a measly 1,300 yen a month, so I often paid for half a year at a time (with glee!).

How much you pay in premiums per month is made up of two parts: a base fee and an income-based fee. The base fee is about 10,000-40,000 yen per year. The income-based fee scales up or down depending on your previous year's salary. But good news — If you've just landed, your previous year's income in Japan is zero, so you'll only pay the minimum amount possible. That's approximately 10,000-15,000 yen annually for your first year in Japan. Congrats, patient!

Now that you've paid your bills, how much will it actually cost at the doctor's office to get your eleventh toe looked at? Well, it's all based on a magical standardized point system devised to make sure medical procedures typically cost the same amount, no matter where you go in Japan. Before I knew this, I naively sent an email asking how much a test would cost at a particular clinic. The secretary's answer was, kindly, "the same as anywhere else!"

It's all based on a magical standardized point system devised to make sure medical procedures typically cost the same amount, no matter where you go in Japan.

So although what's covered by insurance occasionally varies between places — especially among dentists, I've found — you can generally look up how much things cost beforehand. If you can read and/or muddle through Japanese, you can look up the name of what you want done on a medical website called Shirobon Net to find out its point value.

Under the point system, every medical procedure is assigned a point value. One point equals 10 yen, so if a certain test or exam is 85 points, that means it's 850 yen total. But by presenting your health insurance card, you'll only have to worry about 30% of that, or 255 yen. As an American, do you see how I often walked out of clinics feeling like I robbed them? The cost will depend on your specific medical needs, of course, but less intensive visits will generally be extremely affordable.

The biggest expense of seeing a doctor in Japan is often just that: the fee to see the doctor at all. You'll have to dish out a "first-time exam fee," or shoshinryō (初診料), every time you go to a new medical facility. This can range anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 yen or a bit more, especially if it's a highly specialized clinic. Next time you come back, though, the "returning exam fee," or saishinryō (再診料), will probably be around 1,000 yen or less.

Because of this system, there's an incentive for you to keep coming back to the same place. That's why I recommend you get cozy with any clinics you end up liking or small hospitals without a sentei ryōyōhi (more on that later). This way, you'll only pay the first-time fee once. All in all, the shoshinryō is unavoidable, but since the cost of treatment itself tends to be low, it usually isn't too big of a pill to swallow… no pun intended.

But just how low is low? Once you've dumped your first-time fee on the counter, now comes the time to pay for your actual treatment. Naturally, surgery and more intensive procedures will cost more. My most expensive trip to the doctor had me shelling out about 13,000 yen, but that was because I had some tests done using big fancy machines.

This repeated cheapness gave me such a level of trust that I eventually stopped looking up prices for low-level exams.

However, less invasive procedures are typically much cheaper than that. Most items on my medical receipts are below 100 points, or less than 1,000 yen total. This repeated cheapness gave me such a level of trust that I eventually stopped looking up prices for low-level exams, because they were rarely above the few thousand yen burning a hole in my wallet.

On top of treatment, you'll also have to buy whatever drugs they dealt you to cure your recurring athlete's foot. Again, the cost of medication will vary, but it is typically quite affordable. I never paid more than 800 yen for a month's worth of basic anti-inflammatory pills — often less, around 300-400 yen, if I bought several months' worth at a time.

Further lessening drug costs, generic medications tend to be pushed over brand names in Japan as of late, so the pharmacist will likely ask whether you're okay with generics. Drug prices themselves are also set by the government in Japan, meaning that no matter what pharmacy you go to, you shouldn't have to worry about getting bamboozled.

Things to Know Before Going to the Doctor

things to bring when going to the doctor in Japan

Now that you know how much going to the doctor is (or rather, isn't) going to ruin you yen-wise, you're ready to just stride on into the hospital, right? Wrong! Before you do that, you should know what documents to bring, what you're going to say, how to fill out the intake questionnaire, and a little about how prescriptions work in Japan.

You'll want to bring some essential documents to every appointment, regardless of whether it's your first time there. These include your beloved health insurance card, residence card, and if you have one, your plastic registration card, or shinsatsuken (診察券), for that particular medical facility. Shinsatsuken are used to keep track of your appointment history at each doctor's office.

Your kusuri techō holds stickers from the pharmacy with information about every medication you take, or have taken, in Japan.

Also, be sure to keep your little paper notebook of medication records, or kusuri techō (薬手帳), handy if you're taking any prescription drugs. If you don't have one yet, your first trip to a Japanese pharmacy will likely fix that for you. Your kusuri techō holds stickers from the pharmacy with information about every medication you take, or have taken, in Japan. Often doctors and nurses will ask to see it, so I suggest carrying it with you all the time.

But keep in mind that you can't refill prescriptions with your trusty booklet alone. Each time, you'll need a fresh prescription document, or shohōsen (処方箋), before they'll hand over the good stuff. More on that in the Filling Your Prescriptions section.

Alright, you've got your cash and IDs in hand and are itching, perhaps literally, to get out the door. But wait — how do you say "hemorrhoids" in Japanese?

Scrambling over the language barrier to get your creams can understandably be a daunting prospect, especially in any kind of medical crisis. You can look up English-speaking doctors, especially in or around Tokyo and the Kansai area, which can be a good option. Just know that some are known to charge more than regular Japanese-only doctors, and they may be hard to find outside of urban centers.

Japanese doctors often know advanced medical terms in English even if they don't speak much or any other English.

So if you do go with someone who may not speak English, here's my advice: Write out and practice what you're going to say beforehand. Assuming you have at least a beginner's grasp on Japanese, start by looking up what your medical conditions and symptoms are called in Japanese. Then, string together any amount of sentences you can to explain your issue.

For example, asthma is zensoku (喘息), breath is iki (息), and dizziness is memai (めまい or 目眩). After looking those words up, you could use some simple Japanese to say, Iki ga tsurai desu. Memai shimashita. Zensoku desu ka? or "It's hard to breathe. I got dizzy. Is it asthma?" Don't worry too much about wowing them with perfect grammar or syntax. Your health comes first, and even broken Japanese will probably do the job.

Even if you barely speak the emperor's nihongo , 1 this strategy can get you surprisingly far. In fact, if you know basic to intermediate Japanese, you'll probably be able to rely on your own skills, preparation, and Google Translate alone. Plus, Japanese doctors often know advanced medical terms in English even if they don't speak much or any other English, so that may put your mind at ease.

And if all else fails, you can always show the doctor a phone note with your typed-out Japanese explanation, or a Japanese webpage about what you think is wrong with you. If you're really having trouble communicating, the doctors and nurses may even edit their speech down to baby talk. Don't be afraid to break out your miming skills, either. As long as everyone gets their point across somehow, you should be okay.

But if you're already bleeding out and have no time for research, I suggest calling a mentor, supervisor, or friend to help you in any way possible. Maybe they can tell you what to say on the phone, steer you to the nearest medical facility, or even show up in person to interpret. I've been that person, and trust that in an emergency, you'll likely be able to find someone who doesn't mind lending a hand.

That said, try not to overuse your friends for their free interpreting services. It's definitely worth checking whether there's someone from your school, dorm, or workplace whose job it is to help you. And who knows? Maybe you can take the opportunity to brush up on your medical Japanese.

Speaking of the language barrier, there's another potentially tricky hurdle to clear. The first time you show up at a new doctor's office, you'll have to fill out a medical history questionnaire, or monshinhyō (問診票). Typically, this form just asks you standard questions about why you came to the doctor, what your symptoms are, and whether you have any preexisting conditions or are taking any medications.

The first time you show up at a new doctor's office, you'll have to fill out a medical history questionnaire, or monshinhyō (問診票).

If you're at an intermediate-advanced N2-ish level of Japanese, you'll probably be fine with a little Googling. However, if you'd prefer not to sweat over large kanji medical terms at the doctor's office, sometimes an English form is available. In fact, if the secretary clocks you as a foreigner, they may outright ask you if you want the English version. And if they don't offer it, you can always ask.

But if you can't read Japanese, you haven't brought anyone who can, and there's no English questionnaire, I recommend just taking the form up to the desk wearing your best "confused foreigner" expression. Throw in a polite Sumimasen, yomenai desu. Tasukete kudasai , or "Sorry, I can't read this. Please help me," for good measure. The receptionist will likely take pity on you and ask you the questions in simpler Japanese or English to basically fill it out for you. Either way, don't let this scare you away from going to the doctor in Japan. The forms tend to be pretty similar, so once you get used to it, you'll be churning out questionnaires (or sheepishly asking for assistance) like you were born to do it.

Additionally, here's a great resource: Multilingual Medical Questionnaires written in Japanese and many other languages, including English. I've never tried using one of these forms, but filling one out and taking it to the doctor certainly can't hurt. It's also a great study resource to use before you break every bone in your body in a foreign country.

I've covered what to bring to the doctor and how to make yourself at least somewhat understood. But after you've done that, how do you get your paws on that sweet, sweet medical-grade ointment they prescribed you?

Well, it can be a little complicated. Here's another surprise that Japanese healthcare had in store for me: Prescriptions aren't refilled automatically. Every prescription expires in four days under the national healthcare system, so the vast majority of prescriptions are filled the same day, usually at the pharmacy next to the hospital or clinic. For better or worse, this means you have to show your mug to the doctor and get a new shohōsen (処方箋) every single time you want medication.

Here's another surprise that Japanese healthcare had in store for me: Prescriptions aren't refilled automatically.

How did I find this out, you ask? Shamefully, I once tried to present my kusuri techō (薬手帳) with the information sticker about my medication to the pharmacist, as if that was enough. Fool! Without a fresh prescription hot off the press, I wasn't getting any of my curative elixirs.

This rule holds true even if you're treating a chronic condition, so go ahead and get chummy with your physicians, because you'll be seeing a lot of them. Such frequent visits can be inconvenient, so it's worth asking for the longest prescription you can get at a time. Otherwise, hopefully you don't mind catching up with your doctor regularly in order to get your hands on your usual suppositories.

Where Should I Go?

Medical facilities in Japan

You're now armed with some general knowledge of how things will probably shake out when you first go to a doctor in Japan. But where exactly should you go? Depending on the severity of your ailment and the equipment required to test for or treat it, you've got some options.

If you go to a hospital that you randomly found, you may find yourself paying an extra fee, so be sure to learn more to avoid that. Or at least remember this handy rule of thumb — go to a clinic or a small hospital first, especially for mild symptoms.

In the US, your family physician is often the first person to see for non-urgent medical situations, like a skin rash or a cough. But in Japan, you can have that kind of relationship with multiple doctors, narrowing down who you want to see depending on what type of care you need. At first, your go-to doctors will usually be the ones at clinics or small hospitals.

Clinics tend to include the speciality and words like 診療所, クリニック, or 医院, which basically all mean "clinic."

Clinics are smaller than hospitals, in terms of inpatient beds and medical staff. Japanese clinics can have up to nineteen inpatient beds, but many small local clinics don't have any at all. They are often family-owned or run by a single doctor and specialize in a certain type of care, such as naika (内科, or internal medicine) or jibika (耳鼻科, or ENT).

Usually you can tell by the name which facilities are clinics and which are hospitals. Clinics tend to include the speciality and words like 診療所, クリニック, or 医院, which basically all mean "clinic." Look for these words, and you can't go wrong.

As mentioned, going to a clinic first is usually a good option, especially for mild symptoms and non-severe injuries. If the doctor at the clinic decides you need to get tested or treated at a hospital, they'll write you a referral letter, like the ailing VIP you are.

Japanese hospitals can have more inpatient beds than clinics (twenty or more), though hospitals come in different sizes. You'll find everything from tiny hospitals in your neighborhood to massive hospitals. However, in general, they consist of various departments of specialty and have more advanced equipment compared to clinics.

The sentei ryōyōhi is a fee that was created to encourage people to go to a clinic or small hospital first for mild symptoms or assessment.

So why don't you just skip a clinic and go straight to a hospital for more high-tech treatments? Technically, you could do that, but you may want to be careful to avoid extra fees — sentei ryōyōhi (選定療養費) , especially when going to a large hospital that has 200+ inpatient beds. 2 The sentei ryōyōhi is a fee that was created to encourage people to go to a clinic or small hospital first for mild symptoms or assessment. This keeps people from overcrowding large hospitals, which are usually busy providing special care to patients with severe conditions who really need it. So if you visit a large hospital without a referral, you may have to pay this fee, which is 5,500 yen or more. It is a bit costly compared to other medical costs in Japan, which are usually generously affordable. I've also found that some hospitals charge double — 11,000 yen, so it can easily be more than what you are paying for treatment! And more importantly, you can help out larger hospitals by not going without a referral, so I highly recommend avoiding it when you can.

However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't go to a hospital without a referral at all. It's actually worth considering going to a small hospital. See if your local hospital provides 外来診療 (outpatient care), and also whether they welcome patients who don't have a referral. Check their website to see if there's a disclaimer about the sentei ryōyōhi fee or a warning to bring a referral letter on their website. You can consider this a sign of being not-so-friendly to patients without a referral. Otherwise, it's worth stopping by to see if this hospital could be your new convenient stomping (or limping) ground.

The biggest reason to check out your local hospital? This is case-by-case, but some small hospitals function as a hub of different kinds of clinics.

The biggest reason to check out your local hospital? This is case-by-case, but some small hospitals function as a sort of hub of different kinds of clinics. For me, it actually worked out perfectly — a local tiny hospital offered varied outpatient care without a referral, and it became my go-to place for medical care. So if you can, check whether there are any small hospitals like this near you. If there are, you might be able to use it for most of your medical needs and kill two birds with one kidney stone.

And if you do decide to give a small hospital a shot, do some research first. Many of them offer outpatient care between certain hours of the day, rotating doctors of different specialties throughout the week. For example, at the hospital I went to, on Mondays the orthopedic surgeon and mental health specialist showed up, Tuesdays were the neurologist and dermatologist's time to shine, and so on. So be sure to check the outpatient care schedule online, or try calling the hospital beforehand to make sure the doctor you want will actually be there.

Whether you hit up a hospital or a clinic or both, you'll almost certainly find yourself in a Japanese pharmacy, or yakkyoku (薬局), at some point. Medical facilities tend to have their own pharmacy parked right next door — probably so patients can fill their prescriptions before they rapidly expire in four days. And though these pharmacies are often small, I've never had a problem with medications being out of stock. That said, drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Sundrug can also have pharmacists on staff. Just don't forget your fresh prescription, or you'll be out of luck.

Though these pharmacies are often small, I've never had a problem with medications being out of stock.

The pharmacist will take your shohōsen prescription, kusuri techō booklet, and health insurance card. Then, they'll supply you with your healing potions, explain the wizardry they do in your body, and tell you when to take them.

If you space out and miss some of the explanation, consult the paper envelope the drugs came in. It should say something helpful like ichinichi ikkai, nerumae (1日1回 寝る前), or "once per day, before bed." Also, the envelope will say how long the prescription is and how much you should take at a time (e.g. 1錠 28日分, or "1 pill a day for 28 days"). When in doubt, Google Translate is your friend.

Speaking of confusion, here are a few extra tidbits that stood out to me as a foreigner about Japanese pharmacies. For one thing, they often carry a variety of special snacks and nonperishables, if you fancy buying your apple juice and Lexapro at the same time. Another surprise was how talkative the pharmacists were with me, often asking a lot of questions about what I needed the meds for, as well as striking up conversations about my hobbies and ethnic background.

Admittedly, this may simply be what happens when a foreigner enters a building in Japan. But also, due to how frequently people access medicine in Japan, perhaps patients tend to have closer relationships with Japanese doctors and pharmacists on the whole. Maybe I just happened to encounter a lot of chatty Chihiros, but it's definitely something to be prepared for.

Tips for Going to the…

At this point, you've been briefed on the basics of going to Japanese medical establishments without making too much of a baboon out of yourself. Now, I'll offer some guidance on dealing with various types of specialists based on my own adventures with seeking medical care in Japan.

I've only included the kinds of doctors I have specific advice on, so this isn't an exhaustive list. Also, keep in mind that my perspective is one of a cisgender Asian-American woman who speaks Japanese and has not experienced any body type discrimination in Japan. Thus, I'd like to point out that other foreigners may have different experiences from mine, and any negative tidbits I mention shouldn't deter you from seeking help in your own area.

And with those disclaimers out of the way, now for some hot tips!

Internal medicine in Japan

If you're looking for a direct equivalent to a Western general practitioner, you can try to find a sōgō shinryōka (総合診療科). Doctors of internal medicine, or naika (内科), also serve a similar purpose. You can find these doctors at your nearest hospital or general clinic who will ask you the typical questions about what's wrong with you, give your heartbeat a listen, and direct you to a specialist if needed. For primary care, regular check-ups, and refilling some chronic prescriptions, a general doctor may be your first stop.

The first time you meet a naika doctor, they may take interest in who you are, where you come from, and any other factoids you can offer about the interesting foreign creature you've deposited in their office. Like my pharmacists, my general doctor was endlessly curious about how I got interested in Japanese and the details of my ethnicity, all of which he took meticulous notes on. Then, any other doctor I saw at that hospital could access those notes and comment on my hobbies or recommend nearby Southeast Asian restaurants to me as well. It caught me off guard at first, but after a while I found the rapport oddly nice, and often rather amusing.

I know other foreigners who have buddy-buddy relationships with their naika doctors too, so it may be a pattern. This makes sense; your local doctors probably don't get to interact with foreigners every day, especially if you live outside of Tokyo. So be prepared for a conversation about where the heck you came from while you're getting your fingers sewn back on. And if you find a naika doctor you like, don't be afraid to keep coming back — they've probably already memorized your family tree anyway.

Gynecology in Japan

Despite the friend-like rapport you may have with your naika doctor, or perhaps because of it, you might not want to present any sexual health issues to them. Rather, I suggest you and your inflamed nether regions pay a visit to a gynecologist or urologist.

In Japan, gynecologists are called fujinka (婦人科), or somewhat anachronistically, a "ladies' clinic" in English. A Japanese gyno can help you buy birth control, get an abortion, or conduct STI tests. A urologist, on the other hand, can conduct vasectomies, screen for diseases, and test for STIs in male sex organs.

Bear in mind that some medications that you can get over the counter in countries like the US require a doctor's approval in Japan, including the morning-after pill. Activism to make the morning-after pill available OTC is ongoing, but for now, you'll have to hike to your nearest OB/GYN to get a prescription. Especially if you're used to buying this pill freely, the extra red tape can be irritating to wade through in Japan. Just know you're not alone in the frustration.

From my experience helping a friend get the morning-after pill, the gynecologist will almost certainly prescribe it to you after some fairly awkward explanation of why you need it. This is one of those cases where hand gestures might prove useful. Also, I recommend calling it the "after pill," or afutā piru (アフターピル), as the English loanword seems to offer more polite euphemistic distance than the native Japanese kinkyū hinin'yaku (緊急避妊薬), or "emergency contraceptive."

Sadly, contraceptives in general aren't covered by Japanese insurance, so the morning-after pill will cost about 10,000-20,000 yen, plus the consultation fee. Hopefully change is on the horizon though, so keep your eyes on the news and your feet in the stirrups for the latest information.

Mental health specialists in Japan

After dealing with the bureaucratic hoopla surrounding contraceptives in Japan, you may find yourself in need of a mental health specialist. If you're looking to try medication and/or therapy through a counselor or psychiatrist, they are definitely available at some Japanese hospitals, clinics, and universities. Just look for the word "mental" ( mentaru , メンタル) or "psychiatry" ( seishinka , 精神科) to track down the brain doctor of your choice.

A word of warning: Due to differing levels of mental health awareness in Japan, psychological services can be hit-or-miss. Fortunately, activism on topics like depression, body image, and self-care has been gaining some traction on Japanese social media, especially among young people. But old ways of thinking are still entrenched in the system and slow to change, so leaving any newfangled and/or Western expectations at the genkan 3 may help preserve your sanity.

For therapy, I actually suggest first trying virtual meetings with a professional from your country, both to avoid the language barrier and any cultural differences that may make it harder for you to receive care. Either way, no matter where you seek help, the first therapist you see may not be the right fit for you. So don't be afraid to shop around and ask for references from people you trust, even in Japan.

As far as medication goes, several psychiatric drugs commonly used in the US, like Adderall and Prozac, are illegal in Japan. Also, because of a recent rise in concern among Japanese doctors about the addictiveness of anti-anxiety meds, you may even have a hard time convincing anyone to prescribe you technically legal "benzos" like Xanax. Instead, they may give you SSRI antidepressants such as Lexapro, even if you're treating anxiety or panic disorder and not depression. In any case, be sure to look up what's legal and know that you might be in for a sour surprise if you want a specific medication that's hard to get in Japan.

Eye Doctor or Ophthalmologist (眼科)

Gynecology in Japan

Taking care of your eyeballs can also be a bit different in Japan. When you take a Japanese eye test, you probably won't encounter the Roman alphabet, but the Landolt C chart. This chart is made up of C shapes rotated in different directions, so just say left ( hidari ), right ( migi ), up ( ue ), or down ( shita ) to indicate where the gap in each C is. If you're blind enough, the practitioner may just stand in front of you holding a paper with a big C on it, taking a step back and physically rotating it each time you answer.

But once you and your peepers have performed embarrassingly, how do you buy glasses and contacts in Japan?

On one hand, glasses are super cheap and easy to get — just stroll into any glasses store and tackle the eye chart on the spot for a new prescription. Many foreigners, especially ones with lower (read: less expensive) prescriptions, stock up on cheap frames from chains like JINS, Zoff, and OWNDAYS when they visit Japan. Prices are often below 10,000 yen, definitely more affordable on average than in the US. Even though glasses aren't covered by Japanese health insurance, they usually won't break the bank either.

For contacts, though, you'll first need to learn the word "ophthalmologist," or ganka (眼科), and then take yourself to one for a more thorough eye exam. Unfortunately, you may have trouble finding a ganka that doesn't require you to buy contacts directly from them in order to get a prescription. This can be troubling if you're looking for a specific length or brand that place doesn't carry, or if you'd simply rather buy contacts for cheaper online.

If you find yourself in this situation, you can always "try out" or buy a small amount of the ganka 's contacts, make sure to get a full explanation of your new prescription before leaving, and order more online from wherever you want when you get home. It might feel a little shady, but you have the right to know exactly how horrendous your vision is and buy the contacts that are best for you.

But if you want to buy contacts from outside of Japan, here's a potential shock to foreigners: You can't import more than two months' worth of contacts into Japan without a customs declaration. Sometimes contacts with non-Japanese packaging will accidentally get by this requirement, but if not, you may get a perplexed email from the shipping company asking how large of a supply you ordered. If you exceed the limit and get caught, you'll probably have to let them be returned to sender. It's a pain, but good to know before you try to build a Jenga tower of contacts from overseas.

Dentist (歯科)

Dental care in Japan

And now for perhaps the least enjoyable medical institution of them all, the dentist — shika (歯科), or more commonly referred to as haisha (歯医者). For any Americans with a dubious health insurance history, this may be your first time gracing the dentist's chair in a while. If so, you'll still be fine, but you might want to mention it on the medical questionnaire before they judge you for your disintegrating chompers.

Japanese health insurance covers "necessary" dental procedures, including cleanings, tooth pullings, and metal and (usually) composite fillings. On the other hand, it excludes anything cosmetic, such as whitening and orthodontia. Tragically, gold fillings over 14 karats aren't included either, to the dismay of Japanese pirates. The intake form may ask you whether you want only materials and procedures that are covered by insurance, but if it doesn't, I advise mentioning it to the dentist beforehand.

Also, Japanese dentists are known for splitting up procedures into many appointments, so another request you might want to make is for them to (kindly) speed it up. Let them know you're open to having more than one cavity filled per visit. Of course, it all depends on your circumstances — my dentist angelically agreed to do wisdom tooth surgery for me on the spot the first day I met him, as I only had three weeks left in Japan. Don't procrastinate as much as I did, but do communicate honestly about your situation. It'll probably be worth it.

On the subject of those wily third molars, I do recommend getting them pulled in Japan if you need to. Granted, you won't be knocked out unless you specifically request general anaesthesia, which will require a few nights in the hospital and cost more in the end. For these reasons, people usually just get a heavy dose of local anaesthetic for tooth removal in Japan.

As frightening as this sounds, don't worry! Being awake while the dentist yanked one sideways wisdom tooth out of my skull was surprisingly painless, and only took about 15 minutes. If this weenie can handle it, I'll bet you can too. Plus, the surgery cost me a mere 3,000 yen, or 4,000 yen including painkillers. For scale, tooth removal can easily be hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the US, so Americans especially may want to entrust their pearly whites to Japan while it's cheap.

Cultural Differences Between Japanese and American Healthcare

Cultural differences between Japanese and American healthcare

That does it for my tips on specific kinds of healthcare in Japan. But what about more general cultural differences that apply in all areas of Japanese medicine?

When going to a doctor's office in Japan, the cultural considerations go beyond just trading your shoes for some dashing rubber slippers at the entrance. Truth be told, there are plenty of unique aspects to the Japanese health system, which can be especially jarring if you're a foreigner accustomed to certain norms you thought were universal. But luckily, not all of them are hard to get used to.

What's one of the good differences? As mentioned, going to the doctor is less of a big deal in Japan than in the US. People casually roll into the hospital on their way home for any old thing, so don't be afraid to consult a doctor even for minor illnesses.

If you're an American, you may have to explain how the medical system in our country works.

That said, due to this low barrier to healthcare, some doctors in Japan may be a bit baffled or even skeptical if you go to them with a long-standing, untreated medical issue. Thankfully, no doctor has ever doubted me enough to withhold treatment, but I have received no shortage of openly befuddled reactions when describing why I didn't get help sooner. If you're an American, you may actually have to explain how the medical system in our country works (or, for many, does not). Accessing healthcare in Japan is usually a breeze, but remember that this ease may affect how you're received by doctors.

When more people feel comfortable going to the doctor regularly, doctors tend to amass huge amounts of data on patients. Don't worry too much — Japan does have the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI), similar to HIPAA in the US, so your information is still technically protected. But the APPI isn't as specific to healthcare, so doctor-patient confidentiality can be a little more relaxed in Japan.

As mentioned, anyone who worked at my local hospital could access every last detail of all my visits through each doctor's exhaustive records. Usually my conversations with Japanese doctors happened within earshot of several other nurses, while American doctors tend to speak to you one-on-one in a private room. And pharmacists almost always inquired about exactly what issue I went to the doctor for, no matter how hard I wished they'd spare me the discomfort.

To make matters worse, after your annual health check, doctors may even inform your employer about any problems they detected that they think could affect your performance. Thus, prepare to loosen up about your medical info in Japan. You'll probably be fine, but you don't want to be caught off guard if news of your nasty case of hepatitis gets around.

Another cultural difference that can occur between Eastern and Western healthcare? Doctors are allowed to withhold a serious diagnosis from the patient if the patient's family would like to keep it a secret. Potentially discomfiting, but true nonetheless.

Doctors are allowed to withhold a serious diagnosis from the patient if the patient's family would like to keep it a secret.

In 1995, the Japanese Supreme Court confirmed that physicians may overlook a patient's right to self-determination and cede the decision to the family. This non-disclosure is meant to spare the patient from living with knowledge of their illness, especially when the disease is terminal. If you've seen the film The Farewell starring Awkwafina, you know what I'm talking about.

These days, Japanese questionnaires often ask whether you'd want to know if you have cancer or if you'd prefer not to be told, so individualized consent is growing more common. But families still tend to be more involved in the decision-making process than in the West. Hopefully you won't run into any issues of medical autonomy during your time in Japan, but it's good to know regardless.

With any luck, you won't have to deal with terminal illnesses in Japan. But what will you more likely come face to face with? The expectation that you should fit into Japanese body standards, regardless of how you're a foreigner.

Japan still runs on an outdated BMI and waistline measurement system, so plenty of foreigners get told they should lose weight in the results of their annual physicals, which can feel (and be) discriminatory. If you happen to have a trimmer frame that falls within Japanese guidelines, you probably won't encounter any issues. However, if you're larger than most people in Japan, bear in mind that you may be the recipient of unsolicited advice from healthcare workers. Unfortunately, many aspects of Japan still aren't designed to account for different or foreign body types — even within the medical system.

Maintaining Your Health in Japan

Health check-ups in Japan

At this point, you've got a handle on how to use Japanese national health insurance, where to get your lung fungus treated, and the cultural differences you'll navigate while doing so. Now, the onus falls on you to make sure that fungus stays vanquished.

This means attending any mandatory health checks at your school or work, scheduling follow-up visits if necessary, and keeping track of your medication(s). Since Japan is known for being conscientious about health — perhaps even overzealously so — you'll probably find keeping yourself alive fairly easy if you just follow the culture around you.

One of the most telling signs of Japan's zeal for personal health is the free annual physicals given at schools and workplaces. The ippan kenkō shindan (一般健康診断) might be a nuisance, but it can also be a good first foray into the vibes of the Japanese healthcare system. Often, you're required to schedule an exam every year, though during pandemic-related states of emergency, some places have been more lax about making you show up in person.

As any foreigner in Japan knows, you'll probably have to take the infamous chest x-ray at some point.

Naturally, this health check includes basics like measuring your height, weight, vision, heart rate, and sometimes teeth. But it can also involve more intensive procedures, like a urine test and blood sample, that you may be able to opt out of, depending on your school or employer.

However, as any foreigner in Japan knows, you'll probably have to take the infamous chest x-ray at some point. Every time I've had the displeasure, it's involved removing my shirt in a room full of my peers. Understandably, this may not be your idea of a good time. But it only takes a minute, and as long as you know it's coming, you can prepare to strip for your colleagues without feeling too emotionally scarred. Plus, when your results come back a few days or weeks later, you can brag about how little tuberculosis you've got in your lungs.

You know what's coming for you at the annual health check, but what if you're already on the meds you need? A good way to keep track of all the drugs you're taking is to download a medication tracking app. There are Japanese apps, like EPARKお薬手帳 , as well as English versions, but any one should do the trick.

You can enter information like the kind of medication you take, the dosage, which clinic prescribed it to you, and how much it costs. These apps can help you keep track of the Japanese names of your drugs as well. You can also set notifications that remind you when to choke down your giant horse pills, so I advise using one of these apps even if you only take one medication.

How to Stay Healthy When You Return to the US

Saying bye to Japan

And thus ends everything I know about the Japanese medical system. I wrote a lot of this article from my own experiences, so remember that your mileage will vary depending on where you live, your ability to communicate, and your specific health issues.

Even so, if you're in Japan for more than three months, I highly recommend exploring Japanese healthcare. I'm so grateful I did, because it allowed me to treat several decades-old issues that would've been much costlier to address in the US.

But now that I'm back home, I'm forced to stave off death within the markedly less friendly American healthcare system. Transferring chronic medical treatment from one country to another can be a complex task, but it's necessary in order to maintain the level of health you achieved in Japan. So, how do you make sure the elbow tumor you got zapped in Japan doesn't grow back in the States?

It depends on what drugs you're taking, but it's definitely worth asking your doctor to prescribe the longest dose you can legally buy at once.

My biggest piece of advice is to stock up a bit on medication right before you leave Japan. It depends on what drugs you're taking, but it's definitely worth asking your doctor to prescribe the longest dose you can legally buy at once. Even though my naika doctor usually prescribed me one month's worth of mild medication at a time, I was easily able to get three months' worth before I left simply by asking.

Additionally, your country and Japan may have different strengths and kinds of drugs available, which I suggest researching beforehand. If you got something special in Japan that isn't sold everywhere, be sure to make note of that and investigate your options in your home country.

But it's not only getting your last dose of meds that you have to worry about — you also have to get all your medical work done before your final few days in Japan. Prior to leaving the country, you'll need to make a last "goodbye" trip to the ward office to notify them that you're leaving. On that weepy occasion, you'll get the choice to hand over your insurance card right then and there or return it by mail sometime before you exit Japan. (And thanks to the Japan Post boxes located in many Japanese airport terminals, you may be able to put this off to the very last second.)

Either way, once you've turned your health insurance card in, you won't be able to use Japanese insurance anymore. So make sure you've filled your last prescription before the bureaucrats pry it out of your warm, healthy hands!

Okay, you've packed your last round of pills, and the customs officer is giving you the raised eyebrow. Now what? Well, you might want to consider — just consider — taking care of yourself in the US as well.

Your continued well-being is worth investing time and effort into, even if you're not in Japan anymore.

If living in Japan was your first experience with true medical care, you may have fixed some long-standing issues, confronted past trauma, and/or overcome a chronic avoidance of doctors in your time there. That deserves to be honored! So, even if you unfortunately can't access healthcare as easily in the US, I still urge you to maintain that progress in whatever way you can. Maybe you qualify for government-run healthcare, maybe GoodRX can make your meds more affordable out-of-pocket, or maybe you can use your stock of Japanese medication until you find employer-based health insurance in the States. In any case, your continued well-being is worth investing time and effort into, even if you're not in Japan anymore.

Lastly, to anyone who learned how to value their own physical health and bravely ask for help when they need it for the first time in Japan: I'm with you. I hope you and I both carry that growth with us wherever we end up living next.

"The Japanese language" in Japanese.  ↩

Hospitals with 400+ inpatient beds charge the extra fee, sentei ryōyōhi , but some hospitals with 200-399 beds don't charge this fee. Be sure to check their website or contact them to double check if you are not sure.  ↩

The entrance to a Japanese home or building, where people typically remove their shoes.  ↩

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A Traveler’s Guide to Healthcare in Japan

  • July 27, 2021
  • Lauren Stuttaford

The island country of Japan spans an archipelago made up of 6,852 islands. Today, it is one of the most urbanized and densely populated regions and is divided into 47 prefectures or municipalities and 8 traditional regions. From the lively neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the cherry blossom-lined temple paths in Kyoto, Japan has forever been a beloved bucket list destination for countless tourists.

If you are currently planning your holiday, this guide to healthcare in Japan contains everything you need to stay informed and safe.

  • Healthcare Basics
  • Cost of Healthcare in Japan
  • Available Payment Methods
  • Seeing a Specialist
  • Drugstores and Pharmacies
  • Prescriptions and Medication
  • Hospitals vs Clinics
  • Finding a Clinic
  • Emergency and After-Hours Healthcare
  • Tips for Tourists

Healthcare in Japan – The Basics

National healthcare system.

98% of Japan’s population is covered by the statutory health insurance system (SHIS), with the remaining 1.7% covered by Public Social Assistance Program. All citizens and residents are required by law to enroll in a SHIS plan; undocumented immigrants and foreign visitors are not covered. This is why travel insurance is essential when traveling in Japan.

General Healthcare in Japan

Historically, there was no real distinction between primary healthcare and specialty healthcare in Japan, and the concept of “general practice” has only recently been introduced and is still far from common compared to other countries. The majority of physicians specialize, and patients generally make appoints directly with specialists at clinics.

Primary healthcare (internal medicine) is provided mainly at clinics, with the exception of some hospital outpatient departments. Patients are not required to register with a practice. Most clinics are privately owned and managed by doctors or healthcare entities, with a small portion of clinics owned by local governments and non-profit organizations. 

The Cost of Healthcare in Japan

Primary care fees are calculated based on a complex national fee-for-service schedule set by the government. The fee schedule includes both primary and specialist services and lists standard prices for defined services.

Healthcare costs obviously differ depending on the following factors:

  • The kind of medical treatment required
  • The duration of the consultation
  • The type of doctor – general or specialist

However, in general, if you are covered by health insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere between 5,000 – 10,000 JPY (USD 45 – 90) for a consultation at a clinic and 10,000 – 15,000 JPY (USD 90 – 140) at a hospital. Without insurance, these costs will go up to 20,000 – 50,000 JPY (USD 180 – 460). Follow-up appointments and consultations should cost less.

Since medical services across Japan are required by law to charge a uniform fee, consultation and medical check-up costs do not change from prefecture to prefecture.

Payment Methods Available in Japan

Although Japan is well-known for its high-tech environment, cash is still the most popular and widely accepted payment method. But trends have been changing, with a gradual shift towards other payment methods. You will most likely be able to pay for any healthcare accounts with your credit or debit card, as long as it supports international payments.

  • Credit/Debit Cards: Now widely accepted in major cities. However, the likelihood decreases in smaller towns. JCB is the only international credit card brand in Asia and is co-branded with MasterCard and Visa.
  • IC Cards: These are stored-value cards that can be recharged. Common brands include Suica and Icoca. This payment method is predominantly used for public transport and double as a means of payment at stores and restaurants.
  • Mobile Payments : Japan is no stranger to mobile payments, the most popular choices among these include domestic services like Edy, Rakuten Pay, Paypay, and Line Pay. (However, these are geared more towards locals.) As well as international services such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Apple Pay. Please note: Google Pay won’t work on most devices purchased outside of Japan.  

Seeing a Specialist in Japan

Most outpatient specialist care is provided in hospital outpatient clinics that specialize in one field of medicine – usually, patients can visit these clinics without a referral. Fees are determined by the same fee schedule applicable to primary healthcare. There are many medical clinics throughout the country, but they are likely not located where tourists would go since they are set up for residents’ convenience.

Pediatric Care in Japan

You can’t just take your child to the nearest hospital and receive care. Since most healthcare facilities and hospitals in Japan work on rotation shifts, there might not be a pediatrician on duty when you arrive. Thankfully, most cities in Japan have at least one emergency pediatric clinic or hospital, which can provide after-hours pediatric care.

There is a national pediatric medical advice telephone line that is also available after hours. Be advised that the service is mostly available in Japanese. Dial #8000 to speak with a nurse or pediatrician about your child’s condition – the teleconsultant will then advise you on what steps to take next and whether you need to take your child to the nearest hospital or clinic.

Health in Japan – Pharmacies & Drugstores

Visiting a drugstore or pharmacy in japan.

You can buy medicine in Japan at either an ordinary drugstore (kusuriya) or a pharmacy (yakkyoku). Drugstores sell everything from daily supplies to cosmetics and even food, whereas pharmacies sell only medication and are usually in close proximity to a hospital or clinic. You will need a doctor’s prescription to buy medicine from a pharmacy. Note: Pharmacies in Japan do not fill foreign prescriptions so that you will need a prescription issued by a Japanese doctor.

One of the larger drugstore chains is Matsumoto Kiyoshi and it’s ideal for tourists. Many of the branches in Tokyo have multilingual staff, especially in neighborhoods with lots of tourists: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ginza. Typical trading hours for pharmacies are 9 am to 6 pm, while drugstores tend to stay open till much later, like 8 pm. Some drugstores do fill prescription medication too, but trading hours are limited to 6 pm. Most pharmacies and drugstores are closed on Sunday.

Prescriptions & Medication

It is common for doctors in Japan to use the generic name of the active ingredient when prescribing medication. But physicians can decide to put their signature on the prescription to request that the pharmacist dispense the original drug instead of the generic. Unless specified otherwise, pharmacies are encouraged to dispense generic drugs upon briefing the patient.

It is important that you fill your prescription within 4 days of its issue. Otherwise, you will need to revisit a doctor to have another one reissued.

Medication Packaging and Labels

Japanese medicine is labeled according to the pharmaceutical classification of the medicine – which mainly refers to the intensity of the drug and side effects. You will notice either one of these 4 classifications on the package of your medication:

  • Class 1: These drugs cannot be bought directly and are instead dispensed on the advisement of a pharmacist. These are generally strong and have various side effects.
  • Class 2: These drugs are sold by pharmacists or registered dealers. These aren’t as intense as Class 1 drugs.
  • Class “Pharmaceutically Designated 2”: These drugs are sold by pharmacists or registered dealers. The label can also be identified with the following Japanese characters: 第[2]類医薬品. These medications should not be taken with any other medicine and are not suitable for pregnant women and children.
  • Class 3: These drugs are the regular over-the-counter medicines available from the drugs store. Their risk of side effects is low.

Note: When you are in a Japanese drugstore, most of the packaging on the shelves is only the packaging and doesn’t include the medication itself. Simply take the empty package to the cash register and, if necessary, inform the staff of the quantity you wish to buy. They will exchange the empty package for the actual medicine. Always double-check to be sure!

Healthcare in Japan: Hospitals and Clinics

Hospitals vs clinics in japan.

The easiest way to differentiate between the two different medical institutions is based on the severity of your condition.

Hospitals (byouin or sougou byouin):

  • Fewer in numbers across the country
  • Various medical departments
  • Latest in technology
  • Primarily for urgent medical attention

Clinics (kuriniku):

  • Smaller medical institutions
  • Located in various places throughout the country, usually in front of stations
  • Usually, general clinics or specialist clinics that specialize in one field of medicine

If you know what is wrong and know what kind of medical attention you need, then you can simply visit the specialist clinic related to your medical condition. However, most people visit a general clinic for “internal medicine” (naika), which is similar to a general practitioner. Unless stated otherwise, the majority of clinics in Japan will have an internal medicine department.

General Waiting Room Procedure at Clinics or Hospitals

When you are at the health clinic you will likely be given a medical questionnaire form to fill in. Once you have filled it in, return it to the staff at the reception desk and wait for your name to be called. After you have been called for your consultation with the doctor, you will probably be asked the same questions about your condition. After which, you will be asked to go back to the waiting area to settle the account for your consultation. If you receive a prescription, you will be informed of the nearest pharmacy.

It’s important to note that many hospitals and medical clinics in major cities like Tokyo work on a rotational system that requires patients to return back to a waiting area or lobby in between each course of action, so it’s not uncommon to go back and forth between the lobby a few times during your visit to the clinic.

How to Find Medical Clinics in Japan

If you need to see a doctor or go to the hospital, you can visit the Search Medical Institutions page on the Japan Tourism Agency website. Filter your search by area, language, medical department, and be sure to check what payment methods are accepted. Here is a list of hospitals and clinics in Japan that accept credit cards.

Also, make sure the institution is accredited by the Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients. The following hospitals are multilingual medical institutions in Tokyo with JMIP accreditation:

  • Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine – Address: 1-21-1 Toyama Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Postal Code: 162-8655. Phone: 03-3202-7181. This facility provides 24-hour emergency care with English-speaking staff.
  • Tokyo Nishi Tokushukai Hospital – Address: 3-1-1 Matsubara-chō, Akishima-shi, Tōkyō, Postal Code: 196-0003. Phone: 042-500-4433. This facility provides emergency care with English-speaking staff.
  • St Luke’s International Hospital – Address: 9-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Postal Code: 104-8560. Phone: 03-3541-5151. This hospital offers English-speaking doctors as well as administrative support in English.

Telehealth in Japan

All kinds of telehealth services are available in Japan, and each individual medical facility is allowed to decide whether to adopt telehealth systems.

Telehealth is subject to the Medical Practitioners’ Act, various guidelines issued by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare (“the MHLW”), as well as other government and regulatory agencies. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, medical practitioners could not provide medical care or issue a prescription without performing an in-person medical examination or consultation first – at least not without complying with an extensive list of specific requirements first. However, in response to the pandemic, the MHLW issued a new guideline that allows telemedicine under new, less strict regulations.

Air Doctor has partnered with several medical professionals throughout the country, which means you can download our app now and book an appointment – either online or in person – with a qualified medical professional.

Hospital Or Emergency Care in Japan

All major cities have hospitals with emergency and outpatient facilities. Hospitals in Japan are either public, private, or non-profit hospitals.

If your situation is urgent, but not a life-or-death situation then your next option should be a regular hospital. These hospitals have typical office hours and are usually closed on weekends and holidays. These facilities might not be able to attend to critical emergencies but will direct you to a provider that can.

Staff in these hospitals can handle and treat non-emergency diagnoses and prescriptions.

Do not expect staff at hospitals in Japan to speak your native language. While some hospitals, like those affiliated with universities, might have a translation service – available through an on-call staff member or via telephone – it is not a hospital requirement. This is where that phrasebook or translation app will come in handy.

Emergency and After-Hours Medical Care in Japan

You can dial 119 throughout Japan to call an ambulance. Regardless of your nationality, Japanese ambulances are free. However, you will be responsible for medical bills at the destination hospital.

If you are experiencing an obvious emergency, you will need to visit an emergency hospital (kyukyu byion). These hospitals are open 24 hours daily and are staffed with doctors and nurses who can treat all urgent medical care.

Hospital outpatient departments also provide after-hours care, as do some medical clinics and after-hours government facilities. After-hours care incurs additional costs, including telephone consultations.

Tips For Tourists Dealing With Healthcare Professionals in Japan

  • Japanese is the most widely spoken language in Japan, and English-speaking locals are very uncommon. It would be a good idea to keep a phrasebook or translation app handy so that you can communicate more efficiently, not only during your consultation but also during your stay in Japan.
  • Within a cultural context, Japanese people are very reserved, organized, and performance-driven. Generally, Japanese people don’t enjoy being interrupted while speaking or speaking too loudly in public. So, to avoid offending anyone, don’t interrupt people or talk too loudly.

If you are a tourist in Japan and would like to speak to an English-speaking medical professional, you can make an appointment on the AirDr app right now and have an in-person or virtual consultation within minutes.

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Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan

Find out the rules on what medication you can bring to Japan

Japan Travel

Nothing ruins a trip more than getting sick and not being able to treat your illness. Often, travelers will carry typical over-the-counter or prescription medicines with them to avoid any unpleasant situations. However, Japan’s strict rules concerning the importation of medicines may affect your packing list.

Find out what the rules are for bringing medicine to Japan, and what you might be able to get locally, with our step-by-step guide.

The information shared in this guide does not constitute legal advice and is subject to change in accordance with the latest laws and regulations stipulated by the Japanese government. We advise contacting the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare or other official institution listed below for the latest information.

Over-the-Counter Medication

What otc medications are prohibited.

While numerous medications are easily available in Western countries without a prescription, Japan takes a much harder line on certain ingredients.

The following are prohibited as they contain narcotic or stimulant ingredients in excess of the Japanese standard:

  • These medications include (but are not limited to) Tylenol Cold, NyQuil, Actifed, Sudafed, Advil Cold & Sinus, Dristan Sinus, Vicks Inhaler, and Lomotil

Both the limits and what is considered a permitted ingredient is subject to change, so we advise consulting the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s English language website before any planned travel to Japan.

What OTC medication can you bring?

Travelers are permitted to bring a two-month (60 day) supply of any permissible over-the-counter medication, and an equivalent amount of vitamins. This also applies to contact lenses.

If you need more than two months’ supply, a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (輸入確認書) would then be needed.

Prescription Medication

Can i bring any prescription medicine into japan with me.

In general, visitors to Japan are permitted to enter the country with prescription medicine without any special procedures if they adhere to the following conditions:

It is only for your personal use

It is not a prohibited or controlled drug in Japan

The quantity is up to 1 month’s supply.

Please review Japan's Controlled Substances List from the Narcotics Control Department to ensure that you follow the appropriate protocols for your medication.

Which prescription medicines are outright prohibited?

Opium, cannabis and stimulant drugs (Amphetamines, methamphetamines), including certain medicines for the treatment of ADD/ADHD (such as Adderall and Dexedrine) are strictly prohibited and illegal to bring into Japan.

Travelers face prosecution if in possession of them, even if those medications come with a foreign prescription or a customs declaration form – there are no exceptions.

On a related note, it goes without saying that hard drugs—like heroin, cocaine and MDMA—are similarly outright prohibited.

Does your prescription involve narcotics?

If your prescription medication involves the use of narcotics (e.g. morphine, codeine, oxycodone, pethidine, hydrocodone), you must seek advance permission from one of Japan’s eight Regional Bureaus of Health and Welfare.

You will need to submit an import application form as well as supporting documentation at least 14 days before traveling to Japan.

Does your prescription involve psychotropics?

The permitted dosage depends on the drug. For example, drugs such as Valium do not require a Yunyu Kakunin-sho if in quantities lower than 1.2 grams (the limit for the active ingredient, diazepam).

For an outline of which drugs fall into this category and the permitted dosages of each, please refer to this list provided by Japan’s Narcotics Control Department.

How to prepare permitted medicine to bring with you?

A copy of the prescription and a doctor’s note of explanation should accompany the medication when brought with you to Japan.

Medication should be stored in the original bottle – do not store in an unmarked container or bottle labeled for a separate medication.

Do I need to apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho?

Generally, you will need to apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (special certificate of import), under the following circumstances:

You need greater than 1 month’s supply of prescription medicine

You need greater than 2 month’s supply of non-prescription medicine

You need syringes or a number of Medical Devices that exceed the limit.

In these cases a Yunyu Kakunin-sho must be issued in advance so that it can be presented at customs if required.

For information on how to obtain a Yunyu Kakunin-sho, visit the website for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (which includes up-to-date information on when you do and don’t need to rely on this form). Note that this process could take up to 3 weeks to obtain, which you should have before you leave home to travel to Japan.

Be aware overseas prescriptions are not honored in Japan – if your prescription needs are greater than what you are able to bring with you (even with a Yunyu Kakunin-sho), you will need to see a local care provider. In this case, it is wise to speak to your home country health care provider in advance if this may affect an ongoing treatment.

Summary: How much medicine can I bring into Japan?

The following provides a basic framework summarising what can be brought into Japan without requiring special permission (see Yunyu Kakunin-sho above). Note that the aforementioned rules and exceptions, based on prohibited ingredients, still apply.

Locally Available Medicine

Where can i get otc medication in japan.

Japan does have well-stocked pharmacies in most major metropolitan areas, so finding relief for minor health issues (like coughs and sore throats) is often easily accomplished.

Brands and medication ingredients may differ from what travelers may be used, but pharmacists can often assist in finding an effective alternative.

Common drug stores in Japan

Where can i get prescription medication in japan.

For those in need of a specific prescription, a list of English-speaking doctors can be found through various embassy websites.

  • British Embassy Tokyo: Sources of Medical Information in Japan
  • US Embassy: Medical Assistance
  • Australian Embassy Tokyo: Medical Information

Often, a phone call to an English-speaking doctor before a trip to Japan to discuss any medicines with questionable content will go a long way to avoiding any potential issues at customs.

Official Links & Resources

  • Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
  • Narcotics Control Department
  • Essential Guides
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Japan Travel Staff

Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan

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  • Tokyo Cheapo (繁體中文)

Basic Japanese Language Guide to Visiting the Doctor (w/ Audio)

Though it may not be perfect, the healthcare system in Japan makes receiving medical care a relatively cheapo-friendly experience. This is great, but if you don’t speak Japanese, the experience can easily turn into one of frustration and confusion—not great when you feel like you’re going to pass out, or have a team of monkeys playing taiko drums in your head. In this article, we hope to make your next trip to the doctor a little easier by giving you some basic Japanese words and phrases (with audio) to help you get the medical attention you need.

Ambulance paramedic Tokyo Japan

Getting to a doctor

The first step towards seeing a doctor, or “oisha san”, is finding one. The most important word you need to know for this is “byōin”. This is normally translated as “hospital”, but it is actually quite a general term that refers to anything from large hospitals to small doctor’s clinics.  Use “byōin” with the phrases in our guide to asking for directions in Japanese , and you should find a doctor in no time.

Describing your symptoms

Once at the hospital or clinic, you of course need to explain what the problem is. Here’s how to express some of the most common symptoms in Japanese.

All of these individual words can be combined with a verb to form a more complete description. The verb, however, varies depending on the type of symptom. Here’s how to describe each of these in full using the polite form of the appropriate verb:

E: I have a headache J: zutsū ga arimasu

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E: I have a fever J: netsu ga arimasu

E: I have a runny nose J: hanamizu ga demasu

E: I have a cough J: seki ga demasu

E: I am dizzy J: memai ga shimasu

E: I have a cold J: kaze ga arimasu

If any of these symptoms are really bad , a simple way to express this is to say the basic word for the symptom followed by “ga hidoi” . This essentially describes that symptom as being awful or horrible. Here are a couple of examples:

E: I have a horrible headache J: zutsū ga hidoi (desu)

E: My nose won’t stop running (literally: “my runny nose is awful”) J: hanamizu ga hidoi (desu)

A nurse is talking to a couple and going through details of their stay at a Japanese Hospital.

Describing pain in Japanese

When a symptom involves pain, this can be described using the word “itai”, which effectively means “hurts” . “Itai” is also the instinctive word screamed by Japanese people when they injure themselves, much like the English word “ouch”.

To say that something hurts, simply say the body part followed by “ga itai”. You can add “desu” on the end if you want to be polite. Here are some examples:

E: My head hurts (or an alternative way of saying, “I have a headache”) J: atama ga itai (desu)

E: My stomach hurts J: onaka ga itai (desu)

E: My throat hurts J: nodo ga itai (desu)

E: My chest hurts J: mune ga itai (desu)

When you don’t know the word for the body part you’re trying to describe, just point to the pain and say:

E: It hurts here J: koko ga itai (desu)

To describe the severity of the pain, the two most useful words to know are “totemo”, meaning “very/really”, and “chotto”, which means “a bit” or “a little”. Just place the appropriate word immediately before “itai”, like so:

E: My leg/foot really hurts J: ashi ga totemo itai (desu)

E: My neck hurts a little J: kubi ga chotto itai (desu)

There’s also the word “kanari”, which can be used to say “quite” or “quite a bit”:

E: My back hurts quite a bit J: senaka ga kanari itai (desu)

And if you’re asked if a certain area of your body hurts (“itai desu ka?”), and it doesn’t, say this:

E: It doesn’t hurt J: itakunai (desu)

Describing when your pain or symptoms began

A good doctor will usually want to know when the symptoms began, or when the injury occurred. If you’re quick to get to the doctor, the following is all you need:

If it’s been longer, however, and you’re not well versed with expressions of time, a shortcut to describing any amount of time (within reason) is to say the number of days followed by “nichi mae” , meaning “days earlier”, like so:

E: 3 days ago J: san nichi mae

E: 14 days ago J: jū yon nichi mae

Now, there are other words to describe time like weeks (shū) and months (kagetsu), and for smaller numbers especially, this isn’t the most natural expression, but it’s quick, easy and gets the message across, which is all that really matters when you’re feeling awful or in serious pain. If you want to master all the possible ways to describe time in Japanese, or anything else for that matter, be sure to check out my Japanese language text book .

So that about covers it!  There are, of course, many more symptoms and expressions not covered here, but hopefully this guide—together with your “kenkō hokenshō” , or health insurance card —will make your next visit to the doctor no more painful than it needs to be.

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How to go to the Doctor in Japan?

doctor visit in japan

Have you been to the doctor in Japan? Are you afraid not to be able to explain your condition in Japanese? Being sick in Japan is one stressful experience if you are not comfortable communicating in Japanese. The good news is that if you have a simple cold, you can skip the hospital and go to a drug store to find some common over-the-counter drugs.

At the drugstore, you can simply say:

“Excuse me, I do not feel well.” すみません、ちょっと 具合 ( ぐあい ) 具合がわるいです。

If you would like to see a doctor, be sure to have your Japanese medical insurance card ( 保険証 ( ほけんしょう ) ) or any insurance document issued for your travel. Bring cash as many Japanese medical institutions do not accept credit cards. As long as you have money, you will be accepted. We understand that it can be a stressful experience. Do your best!

Most hospitals and clinics have walk-in system. You can skip the call to make an appointment and go directly to the closest one. Search what clinic or hospital could be in your area.

Hospital: 病院 ( びょういん ) Clinic: クリニック Reception: 受付 ( うけつけ )

The first thing you need to find is the reception. Start the conversation like this:

They will most likely ask you if you have an appointment and if this is your first time in their clinic:

“Do you have an appointment?” 予約 ( よやく ) はありますか。

“No.” いいえ、していません。

“Is the first time?” 初めて ( はじ ) ですか。

“Yes” はい、 初めて ( はじ ) です。

You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, most likely written in Japanese. Prepare yourself with the following questionnaire created for tourists. Do not hesitate to ask for help. Even if you can speak little Japanese, gestures can help a lot to understand what information is asked.

Going to the Doctor's in Japan

After waiting for your turn, you will be called to the examination room ( 診察室 ( しんさつしつ ) ) to see the doctor. Here some useful sentences for you to explain your condition in Japanese:

Talk about your condition: I have a fever: 熱 ( ねつ ) がある I feel sick: 気分 ( きぶん ) が 悪い ( わるい ) I feel nauseated: 吐き気 ( はきけ ) がする I have diarrhea: 下痢 ( げり ) です I have constipation:  便秘 ( べんぴ ) です Explain your pain: I have a headache: 頭 ( あたま ) が 痛い ( いたい ) I have a stomach pain: お腹 ( おなか ) が 痛い ( いたい ) My throat hurt: 喉 ( のど ) が 痛い ( いたい ) My ear hurts: 耳 ( みみ ) が 痛い ( いたい ) I have a toothache: 歯 ( は ) が 痛い ( いたい ) The word for pain is easy to remember. You can simply show your body part, saying “it hurts here”. Pain: 痛い ( いたい ) It hurts here: ここが 痛い ( いたい ) です。

Once your condition has been diagnosed, the doctor prescribes you some medicine or cold medicine. If you have some allergy, be sure to let the doctor know! If your pain is severe, you will receive some pain killers.

Medicine:  薬 ( くすり ) Cold medicine:  風邪薬 ( かぜぐすり ) Pain killers: 痛め止め ( いためどめ ) I am allergic to…: アレルギーがある Pharmacy:  薬局 ( やっきょく )

You are facing an emergency?

Ask for help to call an ambulance! Show them the following sentence:  「 救急車 ( きゅうきゅうしゃ ) を 呼んで ( よんで ) ください。」 .

We know that going to the doctor in Japan is not easy, but do your best!

お 大事 ( だいじ ) に ! Please take care!

Not to be mistaken with Ki o Tsukete, which can also be used to ask others to be careful in Japanese !

Want to find out more about Coto Japanese Academy? Try taking a look at the various  Japanese Language Courses  we offer!

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  • Medical Services

Fast DOCTOR: Japan’s leading medical visit service

Domicile medical attention in Japan with English services

Fast DOCTOR Japan's leading medical visit service

When traveling abroad, one of the biggest worries you might face is what to do in the event of an emergency, falling ill being one of the most common.

Normally, travelers may rely on over-the-counter medications brought from home or purchased at local pharmacies for minor symptoms. However, if symptoms worsen, the next step might be to consult the hotel or embassy for nearby clinics or hospitals. But what happens if these are closed due to the time of day or holiday?

Fortunately, there is a solution to these potential issues: Fast DOCTOR, a medical visit service in Japan with an extensive network of doctors. Fast DOCTOR provides patients with medical care in their homes or hotel rooms, eliminating the need to find and visit a clinic.

In this article, we will explore how Fast DOCTOR could be a life-saving service during your visit to Japan, offering a convenient and comfortable alternative for those who prefer not to visit a clinic or simply need a prescription.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

Fast DOCTOR

Fast DOCTOR website

What is Fast DOCTOR?

Fast DOCTOR is Japan’s premier medical visit service, offering comprehensive healthcare solutions directly to your home or hotel room. With an extensive network of skilled physicians, Fast DOCTOR ensures that you receive prompt and professional medical care, all within the comfort of your personal space. Their doctors are adept at performing a variety of medical examinations and can prescribe more than 70 types of medications, catering to your non-emergency medical needs.

The service is tailored to cater to the needs of foreign visitors. They have a translation team in the company to ensure that language barriers do not impede your access to quality healthcare. This makes Fast DOCTOR an ideal solution for international tourists who may find navigating the Japanese healthcare system daunting.

Scheduling a doctor’s visit is a breeze – simply call or make an online request through their website, and a doctor can be at your doorstep in as little as 30 minutes, depending on availability. Their services are available 365 days a year, during nights and holidays, making it a reliable option when you need medical attention during the closing hours of usual clinics.

With over 80,000 patients attended to annually, Fast DOCTOR is not just the leading medical visit service in Japan but also the most trusted and preferred choice for both locals and foreign visitors alike.

▶︎Click here to go to Fast DOCTOR’s official website

How to use Fast DOCTOR?

doctor visit

As I previously mentioned, booking a Doctor’s visit with Fast DOCTOR is really simple.

First, you need to call or make an online request through the Fast DOCTOR website . Once you’ve filled in the web form and requested an appointment on the website, they will send you a Zoom invitation via email for a preliminary assessment of your needs. During this call, the operator will ask you a few questions and assist you in scheduling an appointment, all in English for your convenience. The appointment will be confirmed once your payment is done.

Then, the doctor accompanied by an assistant will come to your hotel or place of stay. If deemed necessary, the doctor will prescribe medication.

Post-treatment, you will receive a medical certificate from the doctor, followed by an email receipt within 72 business hours. These documents can be utilized to seek reimbursement from your international travel insurance, provided your condition is covered by your policy, once you return to your home country.

*Note: Appointment requests from shared living spaces (B&Bs, hostels, dormitories, homestays, etc.) are currently not accepted due to safety reasons.

Available Treatments

Fast DOCTOR conveniently brings medical care to patients in their homes or hotels.

Some of the medical examinations available go from sore throat, cough, common cold, cuts/scratches, and sprains to asthma, allergies, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and deep vein thrombosis.

They also have an extensive variety of testing services which include antigen tests, influenza, mycoplasma, adenovirus, streptococcus,  urinalysis, X-ray, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, ultrasound, and more.

*Note: Should a patient require more extensive examination or treatment than can be provided during the home visit, the doctor may recommend hospitalization.

Coverage Area

Areas of Coverage include: Tokyo, Osaka, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Hyogo, Nara, Aichi, Fukuoka, and Hokkaido. However, even if you’re not sure whether service coverage is available in your area, be sure to contact them to check.

The fee per visit is 80,000 yen, plus a 10% tax. This covers the cost of diagnosis, treatment, medications, and transportation.

If you hold international travel insurance, you may be eligible for reimbursement of the medical visit fee. Please consult your insurance provider to understand the specific coverage limitations.

Reception Hours & Visit Hours

When it comes to scheduling an appointment, Fast DOCTOR’s reception is open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends. Supported languages are English, Chinese, Cantonese, Hokkien, and Korean.

As for medical visit availability, the doctors are on-call from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Monday to Saturday, and they offer 24-hour availability on Sundays and holidays. Fast DOCTOR ensures medical visits 365 days a year.

This extensive availability demonstrates their commitment to providing accessible and convenient healthcare services whenever you may need them.

I hope this article was helpful to you. As I previously mentioned, Fast DOCTOR could be a life-saving service during your visit to Japan. Although the best would be to simply not get sick during your trip, it is always good to keep these kinds of helpful services in mind just in case you might need them.

For more information about medication in Japan, check our other articles below.

Hospitals with English-Speaking Doctors in Tokyo

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7 Useful Medicines You Can Find in Japan!

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doctor visit in japan

What to do if you fall sick in Japan? Step-by-step Guide to Getting Medical Care in Japan

doctor visit in japan

As human beings, we will inescapably fall sick, get injured or feel unwell, touch wood. In which case, you will require medical checkup or treatment. In an already worrying situation, it feels extra bad to be in an unfamiliar country whose healthcare system is so different from your own. Which is why we’ve prepared this article to help you through the entire process of seeing a doctor in Japan. We recommend reading this in advance, just in case you ever need it. 

Table of Contents

  • Hospital or clinic?  

Which specialist clinic to see? 

Letter of introduction to hospital.

  • Making a Doctor’s Appointment 

What You Need to Bring

  • Paying Your Medical Expense

Getting Your Medication 

Pay full price of treatment.

  • Have Insurance But Don’t Have Insurance Card 
  • Call 911 
  • Emergency Room Outpatient Clinics
  • List of Emergency Hospitals around Japan
  • Surcharge Incurred

What to do when you fall sick in Japan?

doctor visit in japan

The healthcare system in Japan may be very different from your home country which is why reading up about it beforehand, just to get a gist of it, is important because you never know when you or a friend might need this information. 

First things first, keep in mind that there are different types of medical institutions in Japan depending on the severity of your injury and time of use. Medical institutions can be divided into 2 broad categories of hospital or clinic. 

Which to go? Hospital or Clinic? 

In Japan, the common practice is to visit a clinic first when injured or ill. The exception is of course when there is a huge emergency due to severe injury or sickness, in which case you should get an ambulance by calling 911.

When an ambulance is called, you don’t get a choice of what hospital you get sent to. It is the paramedics’ job to assess the patient’s condition, provide on-site treatment if necessary, and find a hospital to take the patient in. 

For anything less than an emergency, you should visit a clinic. Though this comes with its own set of problems, which specialist clinic should you go to? 

doctor visit in japan

There are no general practitioner doctors and clinics in Japan. Instead, every doctor is a specialist  in an area of medicine and works in a specialist clinic. The closest thing to a GP doctor is the field of 「内科 naika」internal medicine that deals with treatment of internal illness - quite a broad range. 

Without further ado, let’s look at the types of specialist clinics in Japan that you should know about and their fields of specialty.

doctor visit in japan

In some cases, the doctor you see may not be able to provide you the treatment you need, or maybe they are unable to diagnose your illness and need to send you somewhere better equipped with advanced medical equipment. In this case, the doctor will prepare a 「紹介状 shoukaijyou」letter of introduction  reccomending you for treatment at a hospital. 

It is possible to go directly to the hospital for treatment, but without the letter of introduction you will incur extra cost of 「選定療養費 sentei ryouyouhi」 . This is a special fee charged to patients who don’t have a letter of introduction. The fee is charged not just for the first visit but also subsequent follow-up visits  at the hospital though at a lower price.

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Making a Doctor’s Appointment

The rule of thumb is to always make an appointment especially since many clinics have implemented appointment-only systems (予約制) due to the coronavirus situation. If it’s urgent and appointments are fully booked, at the very least give the clinic a call to see whether they accept walkins. 

Note that first-time patients are generally not allowed to walkin. Consultations for first-time patients are usually longer as doctors need to ask you about your medical background and history. To guarantee a visit and not waste your valuable time, make an appointment beforehand. 

In any case, it is always best to check the clinic’s website for the latest information. 

Bring with you the following items for every doctor visit:

Insurance Card (保険証 hokensho)

doctor visit in japan

With a valid insurance card, you only need to pay 30% of your medical expenses. Note that you don’t need to show your insurance card if visiting the same clinic within the same month , but just bring it to be safe. 

Patient Registration Card (診察券)

doctor visit in japan

A patient registration card is issued to you when you register at a clinic/hospital for the first time. It is usually required for booking appointments after your first visit. 

Medical Booklet / Medicine Diary (薬手帳 kusuri techou)

doctor visit in japan

A small book or diary for recording your prescribed medication. The pharmacy will paste a sticker containing information about the medicine you received that day inside the booklet. If you forget to bring it, they will give you the sticker to do it yourself. E-booklets are also available at some pharmacies nowadays. 

It is also useful if you need to inform the doctor what medication you are on. 

Most clinics only accept cash . Unless it’s not your first visit to a clinic you already know accepts cards, it’s safer to bring some cash with you. 

Paying Your Medical Expenses

doctor visit in japan

Done with your consultation, it’s time to pay the bills. For insurance holders, you’ll only need to pay 30% of the full price. If the doctor prescribed you medicine, you will receive a prescription (処方箋 shohousen) to buy your medicine at the pharmacy. 

Medical Expenses Deduction

Quite an important bit of information, collect your receipts for medical expenses including medicine. If you pay more than a certain amount a year (determined by your income), you can apply for medication expenses deduction (医療費控除) when doing tax return to get tax deductions . 

High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit 

If the amount of medical expenses incurred by an insurance holder within the same month (first to last day) exceeds the ceiling price (self-paid portion) , he/she can apply for the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit (高額療養費) . Under this system, the exceeding amount of the ceiling price will be subsidised. But only for that month, once the month passes everything resets. 

This is a system designed to ensure people are not overburdened by medical expenses. The upper limit amount depends on age and income . 

doctor visit in japan

Go to a pharmacy (薬局 yakkyoku) to get your medicine. Your prescription is acceptable at any pharmacy that deals with prescription medicine. Find 「調剤薬局 chouzai yakkyoku」 pharmacies that specialise in dispensing medicine, some drugstores (ドラッグストア) deal with prescription medicine which they indicate with these words - 「処方箋受付 shouhousen uketsuke」 , prescription reception. 

Prices are also 30% of the full price for insurance holders.

What pharmacy to go to? Nearest to the Clinic or Nearest to Your Home

Note that though your prescription can be accepted at any pharmacy, there is an issue of medicine availability. This is especially so if you are prescribed specific types of medicine. If you want to get your medicine as soon as possible, visiting the specialist clinic’s nearest pharmacy is recommended. These types of clinics are categorised as 「門前薬局 monmae yakkyoku」 and are located right next to or right in front of specialist clinics. They are better-stocked with medication in the particular area of medicine. For example, anti-depression medication for pharmacies near a psychiatrist clinic, or birth control / hormone pills near a women’s clinic. 

You can also choose to go to your usual pharmacy. If they don’t have it in stock or have run out of supply, the pharmacy can help order your medicine which will take a day, days or even a week. Depending on the pharmacy, they may offer complimentary service to post you the medicine when they arrive. 

Note that prices at different pharmacies may differ. Pick a pharmacy that’s best for you whether it’s by urgency, convenience, or price.

First Time at a Pharmacy

doctor visit in japan

If it’s your first visit at the pharmacy, just like for the clinic, you will need to fill up a registration form. Questions asked will include existing medical conditions, are you taking medicine currently if so what, any allergies to medicine, lifestyle habits (smoking, drinking alcohol), and more. 

One question you will come across is whether you want generic medicine「ジェネリック医薬品」 . Generic drugs are created after the original medication’s (新薬(先発医薬品)) patent has expired. These drugs are recognized by the government to work the same as the original drug and safe for consumption. They are much cheaper than the original branded medication due to lower development costs . Note that some minor differences may exist between the original and generic drug, for example side effects and compatibility with other medications . The pharmacist will advise suitability for you based on your medical book (薬手帳) and your medical background (patient registration form).

What if I don’t have insurance? 

Even if you don’t have insurance, you can still receive medical treatment in Japan no problem. This applies to emergency medical treatment (below). 

Since you don’t have insurance, that means you cannot enjoy the benefit of insurance prices which is paying only 30% of the full price. Non-insurance holders must pay the full price. 

For example, if the full price of treatment is 1,000 yen:

Insurance Holders: Pay 300 yen out of pocket 

Non-Insurance Holders: Pay 1,000 yen out of pocket

This is why travel insurance is so important for tourists visiting Japan. The price we used in the example is an imaginary one, realistically if your condition requires seeking treatment it will cost more, plus there’s medicine costs too. 

Don’t Have Your Insurance Card With You

Let’s say you’re visiting the doctor but you don’t have your insurance card with you, maybe you forgot to bring it, misplaced it, or you just got a new job and your insurance card is being processed. 

In such a case, let the clinic know your situation, that you have insurance but you don’t have your insurance card with you right now. Then, pay the full not-insured price . When you’ve received your insurance card, apply to your insurance provider for a refund . You will receive 70% of the full price. 

Emergency Medical Treatment (Late Nights, Sundays, Holidays)

In Japan, most clinics have opening hours from 9:00 to 18:00 (check individual clinic’s websites for accurate information). Some clinics operate on Saturdays for half a day , and most of them are closed on Sundays and public holidays . 

What do you do then if you need emergency medical treatment at those times?

Call 911 for the Ambulance

doctor visit in japan

If the situation necessitates it, call the ambulance that operates 24/7 all year round. 

If your Japanese is not good enough to explain the circumstances, enlist help from a Japanese neighbour telling them 「救急車を呼んでください。kyukyusha wo yonde kudasai」 .

Emergency Room Outpatient Clinic 

doctor visit in japan

Check your area’s Medical Association and Ward Office website for facilities that operate outside the usual hours. Keywords in Japanese you are looking for are

「休日医療機関 kyuujitsu iryou kikan」 medical institutions that operate on holidays

「休日・夜間診療 kyuujitsu・yakan shinryou」 holiday and night-time medical care

「急患診療 kyuukan shinryou」 emergency medical care 

Call beforehand to make sure they can accept patients. Major cities may have foreign language support. There are also emergency dental clinics and paediatric clinics . 

List of Emergency Medical Care / Hospitals to Help You Out (by area)

Tokyo (Japanese only)

Shinjuku City 

Shibuya City

Nerima City

Yokohama City

Sapporo City

Fukuoka City  

Expensive Medical Expenses for Out-of-Hours Medical Care

A surcharge is incurred when receiving medical care out-of-hours. The amount of surcharge is different depending on usage time of services - out-of-hours, Sundays & holidays, late night (22:00~6:00). A super rough guideline but expect medical costs to be at least 2x or 3x that of regular hour visitations. 

doctor visit in japan

This time we’ve covered an especially important article for those living in and coming to Japan. This article focuses on medical care at clinics but there are many other health visits and medical institutions to cover. Like dentist visits , hospital admissions, annual medical checkups, vaccinations and more which we will cover in time. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy. 

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Visiting the Doctor in Japan. A quick look

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Easy Japanese for Going to the Doctor

Asuka Naito

In our last article we studied some Japanese for emergency health issues. In this issue, you’ll learn some useful phrases and vocabulary for visiting a hospital or clinic.

hospital woman cropped

Let’s start off with some basic vocabulary and kanji that you should know when visiting a clinic or hospital.

The first place to navigate to is the 受付 ( uketsuke ), or reception, where you can book an appointment. In general, Japanese hospitals issue you a card, which you would hand them at the reception each time you visit. If it’s a new month, they may ask you to submit your 保険証 ( hokensho ), or insurance card, as well. If it is your 初診 ( shoshin ), or first visit, most likely they will ask you to fill out a form and will issue you a card to keep for all subsequent visits.

Another word you should know is 診察 ( shinsatsu ), which means medical examination. Here’s how it is used:

1) 初診 ( shoshin )  Mentioned above, this refers to the first visit to a particular clinic or hospital. You may be charged a different fee and issue you an ID card to keep for your next visit.

2) 診察券 ( shinsatuken )  This is usually a plastic card used as your patient ID, which you keep for all visits to that particular hospital.

3) 診察室 ( shinsatushitsu )  This is the medical examination room where the doctor will see you.

4) 診察の予約をお願いします。 ( Shinsatsu no yoyaku o onegaishimasu. )  I’d like to make an appointment to see the doctor. (lit. Please give me a medical examination appointment.)

Now let’s look at some useful phrases you might use when explaining your condition to the doctor.

If something hurts use the word 痛い ( itai ). The easiest way is to point to your body part and say ここが痛いです ( koko ga itai desu ), or, it hurts here. Here are some more useful phrases:

頭痛です。 (Z utsu desu. )  I have a headache.

ひどい咳がでます。 ( Hidoi seki ga demasu. )  I have a bad cough.

熱があります。 (Netsu ga arimasu.)  I have a fever.

下痢です。 (Geri desu.)  I have diarrhea.

便秘です。 (Benpi desu.)  I have constipation.

吐き気がします。 (Hakike ga shimasu.)  I feel nauseous.

めまいがします。 (Memai ga shimasu.)  I’m dizzy.

よく眠れません。 (Yoku nemuremasen.)  I can’t sleep.

Finally, the doctor will give you a prescription where you will probably hear or read the following words:

薬 ( kusuri )  medicine

痛み止め ( itamedome )  pain killers

風邪薬 ( kazegusuri )  cold medicine / cures

錠剤 ( jouzai )  tablets / lozenges

After your appointment, it’s common to pick up your medicine at the pharmacy, or 薬局 ( yakkyoku ), within the hospital. You may be surprised by the amount of drugs you are prescribed. Japanese doctors tend to be on the heavy side when it comes to dispensing drugs when compared with western countries. Be prepared!

Finally, you pay your bill at the 会計窓口 ( kaikeimadoguchi ), or payment desk, and you are done.

Last but not least, don’t forget お大事に ( odaijini ): please take care of yourself!

For more useful Japanese learning materials, including PDF cheat sheets and podcasts, please visit  Learn Japanese Pod .

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IMAGES

  1. Visiting the Doctor in Japan. A quick look

    doctor visit in japan

  2. Visiting a doctor in Japan

    doctor visit in japan

  3. Visiting the Doctor in Japan: A Japanese-Language Guide

    doctor visit in japan

  4. Visiting the Doctor in Japan: A Japanese-Language Guide

    doctor visit in japan

  5. Day in the Life of a Japanese Doctor

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  6. Going to the Doctor in Japan: A Quick Guide

    doctor visit in japan

COMMENTS

  1. An Extensive Guide On Visiting A Doctor In Japan As A Tourist

    The cost of a doctor's visit without health insurance in Japan can range from 5,000 to 10,000 yen. This is for the consultation fee only. Any tests or procedures, or medication you receive, will cost extra.

  2. Healthcare in Japan for Tourists: What to Do When You Get Sick or

    24-hour emergency visit, English language support, JMIP certification Tokyo Nishi Tokushukai Hospital Address: 3-1-1 Matsubara-chō, Akishima-shi, Tōkyō-to 196-0003 Phone: 042-500-4433 ... Getting prescriptions and medicine in Japan After the doctor's examination, you will get a prescription for the necessary medicine at the checkout ...

  3. Going to the Doctor in Japan: A Quick Guide

    Going to the doctor in Japan can be a mixed experience, especially if you don't speak much Japanese. Japan has a "hybrid" healthcare system, meaning that the government pays for 70% of costs (or more if you're a low-income elderly resident) and the remaining 30% is covered by private health insurance. People either buy their own or have ...

  4. What If I'm Sick? Guide To Japanese Hospitals

    How Much Does it Cost to See a Doctor in Japan? The total cost of a visit to a medical facility in Japan is around 5,000 yen in total, for those with insurance. The first consultation to a clinic or hospital will likely cost around 3,000 to 4,000 yen. If you are visiting for a follow-up appointment, the cost of your visit may be less than 1,000 ...

  5. Visiting a doctor in Japan

    Once inside, stop at the front reception ( uketsuke , 受付) and give them your health insurance card. If it's your first visit, tell them: "初めてです。. = Hajimete desu. You will then be given a medical questionnaire form which you will have to fill in. It's called monshinhyou (問診票) and contains general information about ...

  6. Feeling Sick?: A Guide to visiting a Doctor in Japan

    Going to the Doctor in Japan. If you feel you can visit a doctor yourself, get online and find a suitable clinic or hospital near you without an ambulance. A quiet, local clinic might be better if you don't feel sick but want an issue looked at. However, if you feel ill or get injured, head to a hospital, even if it's not life-threatening.

  7. How to go to the doctor in Japan?

    In the event of an emergency: Go to the emergency department of the nearest open hospital or call an ambulance on 119. If you need a consultation with a specialist: Go to a hospital or clinic. Remember to check the schedules in advance, as they vary according to the establishments. If you do not need to see a doctor: Go to a traditional ...

  8. Guide to Using Japan's National Healthcare

    Don't be afraid of going to see a doctor in Japan. I wrote this guide to give you tips and emotional support to get the medical care you need in Japan. ... stock up on cheap frames from chains like JINS, Zoff, and OWNDAYS when they visit Japan. Prices are often below 10,000 yen, definitely more affordable on average than in the US. Even though ...

  9. A Traveler's Guide to Healthcare in Japan

    However, in general, if you are covered by health insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere between 5,000 - 10,000 JPY (USD 45 - 90) for a consultation at a clinic and 10,000 - 15,000 JPY (USD 90 - 140) at a hospital. Without insurance, these costs will go up to 20,000 - 50,000 JPY (USD 180 - 460).

  10. What You Need To Know Before You Go To The Doctor In Japan

    In case of emergencies. In a medical emergency, the number for ambulances in Tokyo is 119. Ambulances are free in Japan and are managed by the fire department so make sure to be clear you are asking for an ambulance (kyuukyuusha, 救急車) instead of reporting a fire (kaji, 火事). Be prepared to state your address or describe where you are.

  11. Ultimate Guide to English Speaking Doctors in Tokyo

    You can make an online appointment or make a call with their friendly English speaking staff. Tel. 03-3478-4747. Mita hospital. PCR test: 27,500. With certificate: 30,250. You can email or call them to make a reservation. Next day certificate possible. Tel. 03-3451-8121. E-mail: [email protected].

  12. Healthcare in Japan: A guide to the Japanese healthcare system

    Average cost of a doctor's visit: JHI recommends bringing ¥5,000-10,000. Average cost of public health insurance for 1 person: around 5% of your salary. ... Doctors and specialists in Japan. Unlike in many countries, there's no system of general practitioners (GPs) in Japan. Instead, people head straight to a specialist, operating at a ...

  13. Japan Healthcare System: Everything You Need to Know

    Japan has a public healthcare system that covers every citizen and resident. The fees are reasonable and the standard of healthcare is high. The healthcare system covers you for everything from a doctor's visit for a cold to emergencies and hospitalization. If you need to see a doctor, you can freely choose the clinic or practice you want to ...

  14. Fast Doctor

    Fast Doctor is the most popular open access medical visit service in Japan. We can prescribe more than 70 kinds of medicines and perform various medical examinations and tests (in the comfort of your home or hotel room). Depending on availability, a doctor could visit you in as little as 30 minutes.

  15. Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan

    Travelers are permitted to bring a two-month (60 day) supply of any permissible over-the-counter medication, and an equivalent amount of vitamins. This also applies to contact lenses. If you need more than two months' supply, a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (輸入確認書) would then be needed. Photo: Unsplash.

  16. Visiting the Doctor in Japan: A Japanese-Language Guide

    Getting to a doctor. The first step towards seeing a doctor, or "oisha san", is finding one. The most important word you need to know for this is "byōin". This is normally translated as "hospital", but it is actually quite a general term that refers to anything from large hospitals to small doctor's clinics. Use "byōin" with ...

  17. How much is the cost of a doctor visit in Japan

    Though you still will only pay up to 30% of the full cost. Therefore, the most common first consultation fee at your local Japanese clinic will generally be between 3 to ¥5,000, with follow-up visits costing from 600-¥1000. English-speaking clinics with mainly foreign clientele are often higher and can range up to ¥10,000 for the first time ...

  18. How to go to the Doctor in Japan?

    You can skip the call to make an appointment and go directly to the closest one. Search what clinic or hospital could be in your area. Hospital: 病院 びょういん. Clinic: クリニック. Reception: 受付 うけつけ. The first thing you need to find is the reception. Start the conversation like this: "Excuse me, I do not feel well.".

  19. Fast DOCTOR: Japan's leading medical visit service

    When it comes to scheduling an appointment, Fast DOCTOR's reception is open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends. Supported languages are English, Chinese, Cantonese, Hokkien, and Korean. As for medical visit availability, the doctors are on-call from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Monday to Saturday, and they offer ...

  20. What to do if you fall sick in Japan? Step-by-step Guide to Getting

    Basic Process of Seeing the Doctor in Japan. Making a Doctor's Appointment. The rule of thumb is to always make an appointment especially since many clinics have implemented appointment-only systems (予約制) due to the coronavirus situation.If it's urgent and appointments are fully booked, at the very least give the clinic a call to see whether they accept walkins.

  21. Visiting the Doctor in Japan. A quick look

    How does a day rolls in a medical clinic rolls in the nation? Here is a quick look on how a family actually paid a visit to a doctor wherein they get a checkup during the Japan's "flu season." We take an instant tour on how the process of having medical checkups, from inquiring to calling the concerned patient, what's inside the doctor's room ...

  22. Easy Japanese for Going to the Doctor

    3) 診察室 ( shinsatushitsu) This is the medical examination room where the doctor will see you. 4) 診察の予約をお願いします。. ( Shinsatsu no yoyaku o onegaishimasu.) I'd like to make an appointment to see the doctor. (lit. Please give me a medical examination appointment.) Now let's look at some useful phrases you might use ...

  23. Information for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Japan

    Emergencies in Japan. Ensuring the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas is the Department of State's top priority. U.S. citizens needing urgent assistance should contact us by using our inquiry form or phone (03-3224-5000). If you need after-hours assistance in an emergency, please call 03-3224-5000 and ask to speak with the Embassy ...

  24. Mariko Hiyama on Instagram: "Are you staying true to your New Year's

    40 likes, 2 comments - maitri_mariko on February 27, 2024: "#facialreflexology #facereflexology #habits #healing #global #learn #secretofhealing #habitcoach #facialreflexologist #international #brainhealth #mentalhealth #emotionalpainmanagement #emotionalpain #emotionalhealing #bodymindsoul Are you staying true to your New Year's resolutions, or do you find yourself caught in old habits?

  25. Explainer: Why South Korean doctors and the government remain at odds

    Thousands of trainee doctors in South Korea have walked off the job in the past two weeks to protest a government plan to admit more students into medical schools, as both sides in the dispute ...