Japan has excellent healthcare, and as a resident with health insurance, you pay only 30% of medical costs. Here’s how to navigate the system as a foreigner.
Health Insurance First
Before visiting a doctor, make sure you have health insurance. All residents in Japan are legally required to be enrolled in either:
- Company health insurance (社会保険) — if your employer provides it
- National Health Insurance (国民健康保険, NHI) — if self-employed, student, or not covered by employer
With insurance, your out-of-pocket cost is 30% of the total medical bill. Without insurance, you pay 100%.
See our health insurance guide for enrollment details.
Types of Medical Facilities
| Facility | Japanese | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic (診療所/クリニック) | Shinryōjo / Kurinikku | Minor illness, cold, general checkup |
| Hospital (病院) | Byōin | Specialists, more serious conditions |
| University Hospital (大学病院) | Daigaku byōin | Complex cases, referrals |
| Emergency (救急) | Kyūkyū | Life-threatening emergencies only |
Start with a clinic for most issues — they’re faster, cheaper, and less crowded than hospitals. Many conditions don’t require a hospital.
Finding English-Speaking Doctors
Online Directories
- AMDA International Medical Information Center — amdamedicalcenter.com — multilingual helpline
- Japan Healthcare Info — japanhealthinfo.com — English-speaking clinics by region
- Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic — popular with expats in Tokyo
- International Catholic Hospital (Seibo) — Shinjuku, Tokyo — English services
- St. Luke’s International Hospital — Tokyo, bilingual staff
In Your Area
Google: “[your city] foreigner-friendly clinic” or “[your city] English speaking doctor”
Larger cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka) have more English options. In rural areas, bring a Japanese-speaking friend or use a translation app.
How to Visit a Clinic
Step 1: Find a nearby clinic
Search Google Maps for clinics by specialty. Look for the relevant department:
- 内科 (Naika) — internal medicine / general
- 外科 (Geka) — surgery
- 耳鼻科 (Jibi-ka) — ENT (ear, nose, throat)
- 皮膚科 (Hifuka) — dermatology
- 整形外科 (Seikei-geka) — orthopedics
Step 2: Call ahead or walk in
Most clinics accept walk-ins but calling ahead is faster. Some clinics use online booking.
Step 3: Bring
- Health insurance card (保険証, hoken-shō) — always carry this
- Residence card
- Cash — many smaller clinics don’t accept credit cards
- List of any medications you’re taking (Japanese or English names)
Step 4: Fill in a form
You’ll fill in a patient intake form (mondōhyō). Google Translate’s camera mode is helpful here.
Step 5: See the doctor, receive prescription if needed
Prescriptions (shohōsen) are issued separately. Take them to a pharmacy (yakkyoku) — usually next to or near the clinic.
Prescription Medicines
Japan’s pharmacies (yakkyoku — 薬局) are separate from clinics. Hand in your prescription and wait 10–20 minutes. Prescription costs are also covered at 30% with insurance.
Common over-the-counter medicines are available at:
- Pharmacies (薬局)
- Drug stores (ドラッグストア) — Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia, Tsuruha
- Some convenience stores (limited selection)
Emergency Care
For emergencies, call 119 (ambulance/fire).
For urgent but non-life-threatening situations:
- Call #7119 (Tokyo/some areas) — a nurse advises whether to go to ER
- Use your city’s night clinic (kyūkyū shinryō) for after-hours care
- Check with your local city hall for the designated night/weekend clinic
Mental Health
Mental health services for foreigners in Japan:
- TELL Lifeline — 03-5774-0992 — English counseling and crisis support
- Japan Mental Health Resource Network — jmhrn.net
- Most major cities now have English-speaking therapists and psychiatrists
Medical Costs: What to Expect
| Situation | Approximate Cost (with 30% insurance) |
|---|---|
| Clinic visit | ¥1,500–¥3,000 |
| Prescription | ¥500–¥2,000 |
| Blood test | ¥2,000–¥5,000 |
| Hospital referral visit | ¥3,000–¥8,000 |
| Emergency room visit | ¥5,000–¥15,000 |
Japan has a high-cost medical cap system (kōgaku ryōyō-hi) — if your monthly medical bills exceed a threshold (around ¥80,000–¥90,000 for most income levels), the excess is reimbursed. Apply at your health insurance office.
Bottom Line
Enroll in health insurance first — it cuts your costs to 30%. For minor illness, find a nearby clinic using Google Maps or AMDA’s directory. Always carry your insurance card. For serious conditions, ask for a referral letter (shōkaijō) from your clinic to see a specialist at a larger hospital.