How to See a Doctor in Japan as a Foreigner — A Step-by-Step Hospital Guide

Japan's healthcare system consistently ranks among the world's best — affordable, accessible, and high-quality. But actually walking into a medical facility for the first time can feel daunting when you don't know the system. How do you choose between a clinic and a hospital? What's a monshin-hyō? Why does the doctor hand you a piece of paper instead of giving you medicine? And what do you do at 2 AM when something goes wrong?

Once you understand the flow, Japanese healthcare is remarkably straightforward. This guide walks you through every step, from finding the right facility to picking up your prescription, with practical advice for navigating the system when your Japanese is limited.

→ Part of the Health Insurance in Japan series. For the full system overview, see ① The Complete Guide.

Clinic vs Hospital: Where to Go First

Japanese medical facilities are divided into two tiers, and knowing which one to visit first will save you time, money, and frustration.

Clinics (クリニック / 診療所 / 医院): Small facilities with 19 beds or fewer, typically run by one or a few doctors specializing in a specific area — internal medicine, dermatology, ENT, dentistry, and so on. There are roughly 105,000 clinics across Japan. This is where you go for everyday health issues: colds, allergies, chronic condition management, mild injuries, and check-ups. Most accept walk-ins, and wait times are generally shorter than hospitals.

Hospitals (病院): Larger facilities with 20+ beds, multiple departments, and the capacity for surgery, inpatient care, and advanced diagnostics. There are approximately 8,000 hospitals nationwide. Important: large hospitals — particularly university hospitals and designated regional support hospitals with 200+ beds — charge a selection fee (選定療養費) of ¥7,000 or more on top of normal consultation fees if you show up without a referral letter (紹介状). Since the October 2022 revision, this surcharge can reach ¥11,000 at some institutions.

The rule of thumb: Start at a clinic. If your condition requires specialist care, hospitalization, or advanced testing, the clinic doctor will write a referral letter and direct you to the appropriate hospital. This is how the Japanese system is designed to work.

Which Department Do I Need?

Japanese clinics are organized by specialty. Unlike countries where a general practitioner handles everything, Japan expects you to choose the relevant department. If you're unsure, Internal Medicine (内科) is the safest default — it covers the broadest range of conditions and can refer you onward.

When in doubt: Look for clinics advertising 総合内科 (General Internal Medicine) or 総合診療科 (General Practice) — they handle a wide range of conditions and can refer you to the right specialist.

The 7-Step Process: From Door to Pharmacy

Step 1: Making an Appointment (If Needed)

Many clinics accept walk-ins during business hours. However, web-based and app-based booking (through platforms like hospitals' own systems or services) is increasingly common. Psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine clinics are almost always appointment-only. Large hospitals generally require both a referral letter and an appointment.

If calling to book, you'll likely need basic Japanese. Key phrases: "Hajimete desu" (It's my first time), "Eigo wa hanasemasu ka?" (Do you speak English?), and the name of your symptom (see the phrase list at the end of this article).

Step 2: Check-In at Reception

When you arrive, go to the reception counter (受付 / uketsuke) and present:

Your insurance card: Either your My Number Card configured as a health insurance card (マイナ保険証), or a Qualification Confirmation Letter (資格確認書). Since December 2024, traditional plastic insurance cards are no longer newly issued, though existing ones remain valid through their expiration dates. First-time visitors may also be asked for a Residence Card.

Your patient card (診察券): If you've visited before. New patients receive one after their first visit.

Your medication notebook (お薬手帳): A record of your prescription history. If you don't have one, the pharmacy can create one for you later.

As a new patient, you'll be asked to fill out a registration form with your name, address, date of birth, and contact information.

Step 3: Fill Out the Medical Questionnaire (問診票)

After check-in, you'll receive a questionnaire (問診票 / monshin-hyō). It's usually in Japanese, though JMIP-certified hospitals and large urban facilities sometimes have English versions.

Typical questions: Name and date of birth, today's symptoms (when they started, where, what they feel like), past medical history and surgeries, current medications, allergies (drugs and food), pregnancy status (for women), smoking and drinking habits.

Preparation tip: The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare publishes multilingual questionnaire templates (English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, and more) online. AMDA International Medical Information Center also provides downloadable multilingual forms. Printing and filling these out before your visit can dramatically smooth the process.

Step 4: Wait

You'll be called by name (usually in katakana pronunciation) or by a number. Depending on how busy the clinic is, expect anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour. Some clinics have electronic boards displaying queue numbers — watch for yours.

Step 5: The Consultation

Japanese medical consultations tend to be efficient — typically 5 to 15 minutes. The doctor will review your questionnaire, ask follow-up questions, examine you, and explain their assessment and treatment plan.

Communication strategies:

Use your phone's translation app (Google Translate, DeepL) to show written translations — most doctors are comfortable with this approach. Prepare a symptom memo in both English and Japanese beforehand. Point to the affected area and use simple phrases: "Koko ga itai desu" (It hurts here), "○-nichi mae kara desu" (Since ○ days ago).

If the doctor prescribes tests (blood work, X-rays, etc.), these are usually done in the same facility. Results may be available the same day or require a follow-up visit.

Step 6: Payment

After the consultation, return to the reception area and wait for your bill. With insurance, you pay the 30% copay portion only.

Typical first-visit costs (30% copay): Initial consultation fee: approximately ¥870 Follow-up consultation: approximately ¥230 Blood tests: ¥1,000–5,000 X-ray: ¥1,000–3,000 Total for a standard cold visit: approximately ¥2,000–4,000

Payment methods: Cash is accepted everywhere and remains the safest option. Credit cards are standard at hospitals but hit-or-miss at small clinics. Electronic payments (Suica, PayPay, etc.) are expanding but not universal. When in doubt, bring cash — ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 should cover most outpatient visits.

Step 7: The Prescription and Pharmacy

Japan separates medical treatment from medication dispensing (医薬分業). The doctor doesn't hand you pills — they give you a prescription (処方箋 / shohousen), which you take to an external pharmacy (調剤薬局 / chouzai yakkyoku). There's almost always one within walking distance of any clinic.

The prescription is valid for 4 days from the date of issue (including the issue date). Don't let it expire.

At the pharmacy, the pharmacist will explain each medication's purpose, dosage, timing, and potential side effects — usually in Japanese. For some medications, English-language drug information sheets (くすりのしおり / Kusuri no Shiori) are available. You can also search the drug name at www.rad-ar.or.jp/siori/english/ for English explanations.

Medication cost (30% copay): Common cold prescriptions run ¥500–1,500. Antibiotics may add ¥1,000–3,000.

Finding English-Speaking Medical Facilities

Official Databases

JNTO Medical Facility Search: Japan National Tourism Organization maintains a searchable database of medical facilities by location, language capability, and specialty. Available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean at https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/

MHLW Foreign Patient Medical Facility List: The Ministry of Health publishes a comprehensive Excel list of facilities equipped to accept foreign patients, including language capabilities, interpreter availability, and accepted insurance types.

JMIP-Certified Hospitals: The Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients (JMIP) certifies hospitals meeting standards for language support, safety, and administrative readiness for foreign patients. Approximately 90 facilities held certification as of 2025.

Helplines

AMDA International Medical Information Center: Multilingual medical consultations, interpreter referrals, and facility recommendations by phone. Languages include English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, and Filipino. Phone: 03-6233-9266.

Tokyo Healthcare Information Service (Himawari): Facility information in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Spanish. Phone: 03-5285-8181.

Local International Exchange Associations (国際交流協会): Most prefectures and major cities operate associations that provide free or low-cost medical interpreter volunteers. Search for your city name + 国際交流協会 to find your local office.

Medical Interpreter Services

Even if the nearest clinic doesn't have English-speaking staff, interpreter services can bridge the gap.

Phone interpretation: Some municipalities and health insurance associations offer free telephone interpretation during medical consultations — the doctor, you, and the interpreter connect via three-way call.

Video interpretation: Services like Mediphone provide real-time video interpretation for medical facilities. The cost is typically borne by the medical institution, not the patient.

In-person interpreters: Available through International Exchange Associations and medical NPOs. Advance booking is usually required.

After-Hours, Weekends, and Emergency Care

Calling an Ambulance (119)

For life-threatening emergencies, dial 119. Say "Kyuukyuu desu" (It's an emergency), then provide your address. Some fire departments (including Tokyo) offer multilingual support in English, Chinese, and Korean. Even without language support, clearly stating your address and basic symptoms will get an ambulance dispatched.

Ambulance cost: Free. However, you'll be charged normal medical fees at the receiving hospital. Non-emergency use of ambulances may result in an additional selection fee (approximately ¥7,700) at the hospital.

Emergency Consultation Dial (#7119)

Not sure if it's a true emergency? Call #7119 (available in Tokyo, Osaka, and select other areas). A nurse or doctor will assess your symptoms by phone and advise whether you need an ambulance, should visit an ER, or can wait for regular clinic hours.

After-Hours Clinics

Holiday clinics (休日急患診療所): Municipal facilities open on Sundays, national holidays, and year-end/New Year. Primarily internal medicine and pediatrics. Locations are listed on your municipal government's website.

Night emergency centers (夜間急病センター): Dedicated nighttime facilities in major cities, typically open 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Hospital emergency departments: Large hospital ERs operate 24/7 but prioritize by severity. Expect long waits for non-urgent cases. After-hours surcharges apply — approximately ¥850 additional for a first visit outside regular hours.

Dental Care

Dental clinics (歯科) operate separately from medical clinics. Finding one follows the same process — search online, check JNTO's database for English-speaking dentists, or ask for recommendations.

Insurance-covered dental care: Cavity fillings (resin), periodontal treatment, extractions, standard crowns (silver alloy), dentures, and X-rays. Typical cost: ¥1,000–5,000 per visit at 30% copay.

Not covered by insurance: Implants (¥300,000–500,000 per tooth), ceramic crowns and inlays (¥50,000–150,000), orthodontics (¥600,000–1,200,000), and whitening (¥10,000–50,000).

Prescription vs Over-the-Counter Medications

Prescription drugs (処方箋医薬品): Require a doctor's prescription. Covered at 30% copay through insurance. Dispensed only at pharmacies (調剤薬局).

Over-the-counter drugs (OTC / 市販薬): Available at pharmacies and drugstores without a prescription. Full price, no insurance coverage.

OTC drugs in Japan are classified into three categories. Category 1 requires a pharmacist's consultation before purchase (e.g., Loxonin S, a popular NSAID). Category 2 should involve pharmacist guidance (e.g., Pabron cold medicine). Category 3 has no special requirements (vitamins, etc.).

Tip for foreign residents: If you used a specific medication back home, show the pharmacist the generic name or active ingredient (e.g., "Ibuprofen," "Loperamide") — they can often find a Japanese equivalent. Note that some drugs available OTC in other countries (certain allergy medications, codeine-containing cough syrups) may have different regulations or formulations in Japan.

Essential Medical Japanese Phrases

Pre-Visit Checklist

Before heading to any medical facility, make sure you have:

• Insurance card (My Number Card / Qualification Confirmation Letter) or Certificate of Eligibility
• Residence Card
• Medication notebook (お薬手帳), if you have one
• Cash (¥5,000–10,000)
• Written symptom memo in English and Japanese
• Any relevant medical records or vaccination records from your home country (English translations preferred)
• Your phone, charged, with a translation app installed

Navigate the Full Series

This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 119 immediately. For non-emergency medical concerns, please consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Content is current as of February 2026.

Seeing a doctor in a foreign country is one of those experiences that can range from seamless to stressful depending on how prepared you are. What was your first visit to a Japanese clinic or hospital like? Any tips or surprises you'd share with someone about to go for the first time? Your experience could save someone a lot of anxiety.