health care Archives | Tokyo Cheapo

Need to see a doctor, but don't know where to find one who speaks English? Here's a list of English-speaking clinics and hospitals in Tokyo, which you can visit as a tourist (or resident). We've included information on what to do when you're there, and how to pay for the medical services, as well as FAQs from travelers. Note: When visiting a clinic or hospital in Tokyo, it's important to wear a mask if you can. You should also take photo ID, plus any medical documents you may have, along with you. If you have Japanese National Health Insurance, be sure to take your card, too. What is the difference between a clinic and a hospital in Japan? As in other countries, clinics tend to be smaller and specialize in one field only, e.g. dermatology, and provide general consultations or initial examinations. On the other hand, hospitals (byouin -- 病院, or sougou byouin -- 総合病院) are generally larger as they house different medical departments, and are able to provide specialized tests and treatment. If you have a mild condition, it's best to go to a clinic first. They can refer you to a doctor at a larger hospital if needed. You won't necessarily be turned down if you go to a larger hospital directly, but you'll probably have to pay a non-referral fee, and may need to wait longer for a consultation. How do I choose a clinic or hospital? The list of English-supporting medical facilities here is not exhaustive, so you might want to consider alternative options too. Tokyo-to Hoken Iryō Jōhō, also known as Himawari -- or "Sunflower", is a useful search platform provided by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It has information on medical institutions and pharmacies across Tokyo. With translation services in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Spanish, you can use Himawari's online search function, but they can also be contacted directly by phone (03-5285-8181) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. The line tends to have more interpreters and information available during weekdays. From our experience contacting Himawari for COVID-19, we found that they communicated in English well and helped us to find a nearby clinic that would administer a PCR test. They also offered to call the clinic on our behalf. There's also the "Medical Institution Search" function by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), which covers clinics nationwide. You can search based on your current location or region. Tokyo clinics and hospitals with English support What follows is a non-exhaustive list of medical facilities with English-speaking staff. We have included both international clinics and hospitals, in no particular order. Some allow walk-ins, while others are appointment-only. Same-day appointments may be possible, if the clinic or hospital has open slots. The pricing is what you might expect to pay without Japanese National Health Insurance. 1. Sendagaya International Clinic Appointments required Sendagaya International Clinic, located centrally in Shibuya, offers a friendly health service for travelers, with trained English-speaking staff on site. You'll need to make an appointment, though it may be possible to get one on the day. The clinic sees both adults and children for minor illnesses or stomach troubles. It's open on Monday afternoons, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If you're staying at one of the major hotels in Tokyo, you can request that a doctor visit you there. Consultation fees vary -- you might want to enquire when making an appointment. For claiming back from insurance, the clinic can prepare necessary documents at an additional cost between to , or up to for a comprehensive claim. Nearby, there's also an English-speaking and French-speaking pharmacy, so you can easily pick up medications you need after your consultation. Address: 2F Barbizon Building, 1-20-3 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0051 Access: 3-minute walk from JR Sendagaya Station, 3-minute walk from Subway Oedo Line Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station A4 Exit. The clinic is on the second floor of Barbizon Building 11. Contact: 03-3478-4747, clinic@sendagaya-ic.com How to make an appointment: Via phone or online booking form 2. Tokyo Midtown Clinic (Akasaka) Appointments required Dentist available Tokyo Midtown Clinic offers services in both English and Japanese. The doctor for general medicine and gastroenterology, Dr. Akagi, is a fluent English speaker, and the receptionists generally speak English too. The clinic has a range of specializations, including travel medicine and vaccinations, internal medicine, neurology, dentistry, diabetes care, and rheumatology. They can also provide in-house MRIs and blood tests. Even though Tokyo Midtown Clinic is by appointment only, with consultation times generally limited to 10 or so minutes, it does get quite busy. Keep in mind that your appointment time is a guideline, so you might be waiting a bit. Don't be late though, or you could end up paying cancellation fees! Consultation hours are generally 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., and again from 2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (depending on the department), and the clinic is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Initial consultation fees start from . Address: 6F Midtown Tower, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-6206 Access: Exit 7 of Roppongi Metro Station, with access via a direct underground tunnel Contact number: 03-5413-0080 How to make an appointment: Phone or online booking form 3. International Health Care Clinic (Shimbashi) Appointments required The International Health Care Clinic welcomes international visitors for general health check-ups, including blood tests, urinalysis, X-rays, electrocardiograms, and STI screenings, as well as vaccinations for travel -- and even nutritional check-ups. They offer a specific exam for those on a vegetarian or vegan diet to measure nutritional levels. In urgent cases where you need or prefer to go back to your home country to be attended to, the International Health Care Clinic can liaise with an English-speaking medical team to transport you via their International Medical Transportation Service. The clinic is generally open Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (closed on weekends and public holidays). Address: 3F Sueyoshi Bldg, 2-10-5 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0004 Access: 4 minutes walk from Shimbashi Station, 5 minutes walk from Uchisaiwaicho Station Contact: 03-3501-1330, yoyaku@ihc-clinic.jp 4. National Medical Clinic (Minami Azabu) Appointments required The National Medical Clinic has a native English-speaking pediatrician and physician, Dr Che, as well as other English-fluent physicians, nurses and staff, so you'll be able to communicate smoothly from the initial phone call. The clinic offers general internal medicine, pediatric medicine (for both babies and older children), and some specialist services. You can visit the clinic on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., or on Saturday mornings. The last appointment starts 15 minutes before closing time. In terms of cost, office visits usually start from - (excluding tax). Since receipts and documents including diagnosis and medication are already in English, an extra cost of is only required if further details are needed. They'll also fill out insurance forms for you without charge, unless an unusually complicated form takes up more of the doctor's time. Address: 5-16-11-202 Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-0047 Contact number: 03-3473-2057 How to make an appointment: Via phone 5. Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic (Shibakoen) Appointments required; exceptions may be made for urgent cases. Out-of-hours service available. Established in 1951, Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic (TMSC) has European- and US-trained doctors caring for the foreign community, with language support in English, Spanish, German, or French depending on the doctor. TMSC covers a broad range of services, including family medicine (primary care), gastroenterology, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, and orthopedics. With visiting specialists included, the clinic also offers cardiology, dermatology, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat), ophthalmology, and allied health services such as physiotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. With five full-time family practitioners on board, you'll be in safe hands for medical check-ups (both adults and kids). During your consultation, if the doctor determines you need hospital admission or a specialist opinion, they'll refer you to suitable English-speaking doctors. Anyone who's not an emergency patient will need to make an appointment. You can call their regular line on weekdays or Saturday mornings. See more on reception hours. In terms of typical fees, an initial consultation with a general practitioner starts from , while a specialist consultation starts from . Tests and procedures such as X-rays cost extra. Additional fees include: for a certificate of diagnosis, for a referral letter to a specialist, and for a medical report. There's also an out-of-hours service available via 050-5530-9997, where an in-person or remote consultation costs . In addition, TMSC's "visa examination" is essentially a medical check-up to meet the health requirements for a visa in another country. Address: 2F, 32 Shibakoen Building, 3-4-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0011 Contact number: 03-3436-3028 How to make an appointment: Via phone, initial contact form, or online booking (once you have a patient ID) 6. Tokyo Takanawa Hospital (Takanawa) Appointments generally not necessary for first visit Tokyo Takanawa Hospital was originally founded as an occupational hospital for sailors. Located near Shinagawa Station, the medium-sized hospital has a broad scope. Specialities include internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, orthopedics, dermatology, and neurosurgery. English, Chinese, and Russian language support is available; however, it's a paid interpretation service. There's an International Assistance Desk next to Reception Counter #1 inside the hospital, where you can ask for help. This desk is open from 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. on weekdays. Although you don’t have to make an appointment for your first visit, you’ll need to check the consultation hours, depending on which service you need. As an international visitor, you can expect your first visit to cost at least . The out-of-hours deposit amount is , which is higher than some clinics, but you'll receive money back if the final cost is less than the deposit. More information on bookings and fees. Address: 3-10-11 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0074 Access: Subway Asakusa Line, 3 minutes from Takanawadai Station (Exit A1); JR and Keikyu Line, 10 minutes from Shinagawa Station (Takanawa Exit) Contact number: 03-3443-9193 How to make an appointment: Via phone or email (intlclinic@takanawa.jcho.go.jp) 7. Sanno Hospital (Akasaka) Walk-ins available for some departments only With 54 consultation rooms for outpatients and a comfortable waiting area, Sanno Hospital is a relatively large medical facility in Akasaka, near Roppongi. It offers treatment and care across internal medicine, gastroenterology, surgery, and women's health, with a specialized birth center. Although visits are generally appointment-only, friends of ours were able to see a gynecologist semi-urgently after a walk-in (though this particular gynecologist didn't speak much English). Walk-ins are available for pediatrics, cardiology and some other departments. Hospital hours are split across morning and afternoon blocks, Monday through Saturday (except national holidays). Registration can close earlier than the listed times though, so it's worth calling and booking ahead of time to secure a spot. Costs vary depending on the type of consultation and treatment. Sanno Hospital has a list of registered medical coordinators (languages available include English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Russian) so you may need to contact a coordinator to facilitate your appointment. Once your appointment is confirmed, there's a registration form to fill out and take with you on your visit. Address: 8-10-16 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052 Access: 4-min walk from Exit 4 (south) of Aoyama-Itchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, and Toei Oedo Line. 4-min walk from Exit 3 of Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. Contact number: 03-3402-3151 (main), 03-6864-0489 (booking only) How to make an appointment: Phone or online contact form 8. St. Luke's International Hospital (Tsukiji) Walk-ins available, except for specialized care St Luke's is a hospital with international roots, having been founded by Dr. Rudolf B. Teusler in 1933. It has a broad range of departments, including internal medicine, cardiology, respiratory medicine, neurology, surgery, ophthalmology, dermatology, emergency medicine and psychiatry. First-time visitors in need of primary care (general medicine) can visit during weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. without an appointment. For speciality care, you'll need to book in via phone between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. (hours may vary depending on the department), or email. First-visit fees start from , with an after-hours fee of around . You can ask to speak in English, Chinese, or Korean, although the hospital may request that you organize your own interpreter, or refer you to external interpretation agencies (fee-based). Address: 9-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-8560 Contact info: 03-5550-7120 (booking center), 03-3541-5151 (main), direct phone lines are also available for specific departments. Email: 5931@luke.ac.jp How to make an appointment: Via phone, e-mail 9. International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital (Mita) Appointment required for some departments; call to find out The International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW Mita Hospital) covers cardiology, orthopedics, pediatrics, neurology, dermatology, psychiatry, plastic surgery, and preventative medicine. Although some doctors speak English, you might need a medical interpreter, depending on your needs and who you speak with. It's best to confirm in an initial call. The hospital is open from Mondays to Saturdays between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. as well. Some departments have walk-ins, while others don't, so this is another reason to call ahead. When it comes to fees, visitors without Japanese National Health Insurance will need to pay double the base fee, plus if you don't have a referral letter from a clinic doctor. There's an additional fee for medical certificates. You can expect insurance claim forms and medical certificates to take around 2 to 3 weeks to get to you after your consultation. Address: 1-4-3 Mita, Minato-ku Tokyo, 108-8329 Contact number: 03-3451-8121 How to make an appointment: Via phone Japanese Red Cross Medical Center (Hiroo) Walk-ins available for general medicine The Japanese Red Cross Medical Center offers most services, including internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, emergency and critical care medicine, urology, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics and radiology. Reception hours and availability for walk-ins depend on the department. For example, you can go to the internal medicine or surgery department between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. for an initial visit, without an existing appointment. However, for certain departments such as obstetrics, orthopedics, or oral surgery, you’ll need to be booked in advance as well as for secondary or return visits. You might also need a referral letter from a clinic or hospital doctor. Fees vary by department and consultation. Address: 4-1-22 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-8935 Access: 15-minute walk from Hiroo Station, 15 minutes from JR Shibuya Station East Exit via Toei Bus "Gaku 03"(学03) route to Nisseki-Iryo-Center-Mae, or 10 minutes from Ebisu Station via Toei Bus "Gaku 06"(学06) route. Contact number: 03-3400-1311 How to make an appointment: Via phone or email What if it's outside normal hours? If it's not an emergency, but you need to see a doctor urgently at night, late on a Saturday afternoon, on a Sunday, or on a public holiday, you'll need to call Himawari (03-5285-8181, available from 9am to 8pm) or otherwise 05-7000-0692 (Japanese) to find out which hospital you can go to in Tokyo. If a child needs to see a doctor, the number to call is #8000. Important: You cannot just go to any hospital outside of normal hours -- if you do, you will probably be turned away. This has happened to us. Only certain hospitals allow out-of-hours visits, and they rotate. There will always be somewhere that can see you; you just need to find out where it is. What happens at the clinic or hospital? When you arrive, head to the information desk or reception, where you'll be asked to sign some forms and describe your symptoms. As a tourist without Japanese national health insurance, you'll need to pay an initial deposit. At a hospital, this is generally ; however, the amount varies. If you have Japanese National Health Insurance, make sure to hand over your card. If an interpreter is required, there's a chance you'll be waiting longer before seeing the doctor. If it looks like you'll need ongoing medical attention after returning home from Japan, ask for a medical certificate in your native language (generally available for an additional cost). After the consultation, head back to reception to finalize the forms you need and to sort out payment. You'll need to pay the difference if the overall cost is more than the deposit. What are the additional fees required? Admin fee: Larger hospitals may charge an admin or admission fee (likely a few thousand yen). Insurance claim/invoice fee: There may be an extra fee for the clinic or hospital to fill out insurance forms or prepare invoices on your behalf. Non-referral fee: Some hospitals charge a fee for the first visit without a referral letter. Referral letter fee: You can request a referral letter in Japanese or your native language in case you need to go to another hospital or clinic. Out-of-hours fee: There tends to be an extra fee if you're visiting a clinic or hospital outside their normal hours, e.g. in the middle of the night. Where do I get medication? If you are prescribed medication, head to a pharmacy (shohōsen yakkyoku 処方箋薬局) with your prescription. Most international clinics can dispense medicine on site, or otherwise suggest a nearby pharmacy. Prepare for the cost to be separate to the consultation itself. How do I claim for medical expenses? To make a claim, you'll need to contact your insurance company after paying the clinic or hospital in Japan. If at all possible, it’s helpful to contact them in advance, to find out exactly what documents they'll need. You should be able to complete most of the procedures by submitting an insurance claim form with a medical certificate and/or receipt of your medical expenses in your native language, so make sure you keep all of your receipts and forms from the hospital and pharmacy. What if it's an emergency? Call an ambulance. The emergency number in Japan is 119. While not all operators will speak English, they can handle most emergencies if you speak slowly and clearly. Once you're in the ambulance, the paramedics will try to find a hospital that can take you. You can express yourself in English (or any Japanese that you know) and communicate your preferences. Do I need travel health insurance in Japan? Most Japanese clinics and hospitals do not accept overseas health insurance, so it's highly recommended that you have travel health insurance. As a tourist, if you need to see a doctor during your trip, you'll generally need to pay upfront (including a deposit) and then get reimbursed by your travel health cover. Without it, the costs can add up, as you'll likely be charged 200% (or more) for medical expenses, i.e. double the fee compared to those on Japanese National Health Insurance. Even if you forget to purchase travel health cover before you fly, you can still buy it once you've touched down in Japan. For example, Sompo Japan and Tokio Marine Nichido offer some short-term packages which can be purchased online. Note that insurance companies may provide lists of approved hospitals and clinics they have ties with. Also read the T&Cs around pre-existing conditions very carefully! FAQs What if the hospital doesn't have English-speaking staff? If you find yourself at a clinic or hospital that doesn't offer support in your language, the AMDA Medical Information Center can provide telephone interpretation. Our guide to visiting the doctor in Japanese might also come in handy. Are there general practitioners in Japan? In Japan, there is no official general practitioner (GP) or family doctor system. Instead, medical institutions are divided into specialist departments, such as internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, or dermatology. That means you'll need to figure out which department to visit, based on your symptoms and needs. Read our guide to Japan's healthcare system to learn more. How can I prepare for my trip to Japan? If you're reading this before your trip, getting travel cover for Japan should be at the top of your to-do list. You might also want to save this packing list of health-related items, which is useful especially if you have an existing medical condition. You could also write down some of your medical information in advance, just in case you find yourself in a hospital that has limited English-speaking staff. Here's a PDF form provided by the JNTO, which you can keep on you, and hand over to staff. Important medical information to write down: Name Blood type Any illnesses currently being treated Any medicines or supplements you are taking Allergies Medical history (including major surgeries) Your religion Emergency contact information Finally, you can download the guidebook prepared by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) for what to do when you're feeling ill in Japan. It's available in multiple languages. Disclaimer: This article is intended only as a basic guide to Japan's medical institutions for international travelers. We make every effort to ensure that the information presented here is accurate and up to date. However, all details are subject to change at any time. We recommend that you obtain professional advice regarding medical services or health insurance in Japan. Fast Train Ltd. cannot guarantee the accuracy, currency or completeness of any of the material and information in this article and accepts no responsibility or liability arising from or connected to the material provided above.

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