Visiting a Doctor in Japan as a Foreigner

I’ve already been to clinics a few times in Japan — unlucky to know well how it works, but lucky to have health insurance. It really saves money.

Before visit

You need a Health Insurance Card. Show it at the clinic and pay only 30%. You can also link your My Number card to use as insurance.

Process

1️⃣ Choose a department (internal, ENT, ortho, etc.)

2️⃣ Book – usually by phone or online.

3️⃣ Check in – hand in card, fill the form.

4️⃣ Consultation – most doctors speak only Japanese.

5️⃣ Payment – e.g. my tonsillitis visit cost ¥2800; back X-ray & physio ¥4400.

6️⃣ Medicine – also pay 30% only, my tonsillitis meds cost ¥1000.

7️⃣ Referral – if needed, doctor gives a letter to a bigger hospital.

For foreigners

If you don’t speak Japanese, some clinics may refuse treatment. Always check first — the websites below list facilities with multilingual support.

Japan National Tourism Organization official site — search by area, specialty, and language. Reliable and multilingual.

MediConnect Japan — 24/7 online English medical support for foreigners.

By MHLW — search by area, specialty, with English, Chinese and Korean support.

AMDA International Medical Information Center — multilingual phone interpretation and support finding foreigner-friendly clinics.

💬Save this post — I hope it helps, but even more, I hope you’ll never need it!

Sio

Resetting life in Osaka after years in the UK, France, Spain, Canada & Argentina. Seeing Japan from the outside, living it from the inside.