How to Use Hospitals & Clinics in Japan [Guide for Foreigners]

If you are enrolled in National Health Insurance or employees' health insurance, you pay only 30% of medical costs in Japan (10–30% depending on age). This guide covers how to choose the right department, the visit process, costs, multilingual support, and what to do in an emergency.

① Clinic vs. Hospital & Which Department to Visit

For minor symptoms, start at a local clinic. Large hospitals may charge an extra fee at your first visit if you don't have a referral letter from a clinic.

• Clinic (kurinikku): Colds, fever, minor injuries. Often no appointment needed and shorter waits
• Hospital (byoin): Detailed tests, hospitalization, surgery
• Emergency hospital: Nights, holidays and urgent cases

Which department for which symptom

② How to Visit a Doctor

1. Book by phone or online (clinics often take walk-ins)
2. At reception, show your health insurance card (or My Number insurance card) and Residence Card. Fill in a symptom form on your first visit
3. Explain your symptoms to the doctor (use the phrases below or an interpreter service)
4. Tests, diagnosis and prescription
5. Pay 30% of the bill and receive your prescription
6. Take the prescription to a pharmacy to get your medicine

③ Medical Costs & Insurance

With health insurance, you generally pay 30% at the counter. If your monthly out-of-pocket cost is high, the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit (kogaku-ryoyohi) refunds the amount above a set ceiling. If you show a "Certificate of Eligibility for Ceiling Amount" in advance, your counter payment is capped at that ceiling.

④ Getting Care in Your Language

If you are worried about the language, these services can help.

• AMDA International Medical Information Center (Tel 03-6233-9266, weekdays 10:00–16:00): multilingual medical consultation and referrals to facilities where your language is spoken. English is available Mon–Fri, Chinese on Tue/Thu, etc. Since January 2025 a free telephone medical interpretation service during consultations is also available.
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: search for "medical institutions accepting foreign patients" by language.
• Local governments / international exchange associations: some areas dispatch medical interpreters or offer telephone interpretation.
• Searching Google Maps for "English hospital (your area)" or "中文 医院 (area)" also works well.

⑤ Picking Up Medicine at a Pharmacy

Many clinics issue an "outside prescription": take the prescription to a nearby dispensing pharmacy to receive your medicine (valid for 4 days including the issue date). Showing your medicine notebook (okusuri-techo) lets the pharmacist check for drug interactions. OTC medicines can be bought at drugstores without a prescription.

⑥ Emergencies & After Hours

• 119: ambulance / fire. Free call. In life-threatening situations don't hesitate to call (say "kyukyu desu").
• #7119 (Emergency Consultation Center): phone advice when unsure whether to call an ambulance. Availability varies by region and some areas don't offer it.
• #8000 (Children's Medical Phone Consultation): advice on sudden childhood illness at night/holidays.

Useful Japanese Phrases

• At reception: "Hoken-shō desu" (Here is my insurance card)
• Describing symptoms: "Koko ga itai desu" (It hurts here), "Netsu ga arimasu" (I have a fever)
• Asking for an interpreter: "Eigo / Chūgokugo ga hanaseru hito wa imasu ka?"

FAQ

Q: Can I see a doctor without an insurance card? Yes, but you must pay 100% on the spot. You may later get the excess (above your usual share) refunded by submitting your card and receipt.

Q: Can I go to the hospital even if I don't speak Japanese? Yes. Use AMDA International Medical Information Center (03-6233-9266) for multilingual phone consultation/interpretation, or local government interpreter services. Finding a multilingual facility in advance helps.

Q: Is calling an ambulance free? Dispatch and transport are generally free (treatment costs are separate). Avoid using it for non-urgent cases; when unsure, consult #7119.