Visiting Japanese hospitals can be challenging. To help you through the process, here’s a guide on what to prepare before the visit, how to choose the right hospital, and which department to visit based on your symptoms.
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Table of Contents
If you are interested in other how to guide, you might find this article helpful.
Chapter 1: Emergency Numbers
Firstly, it’s important to know the emergency numbers, even though you hope you won’t need to use them. Memorizing these numbers can be crucial.
119: Use this number for emergencies requiring an ambulance or fire services.
110: Use this number for police assistance.
Chapter 2: Steps for Visiting Japanese Hospitals
1. Before the Visit
Finding a hospital
- Find a hospital using the “Search Medical Institutions” tool from the Japan Tourism Agency. You can access the website below, where you can select your area and preferred language to view a list of Japanese hospitals.
Check Referral Requirements
- Some hospitals may require a referral from another medical professional. For example, when visiting a large university hospital or general hospital, it’s common to first visit a smaller local clinic. If your symptoms do not improve, you can then be referred to a larger hospital. In such cases, the larger hospital will often ask for a referral letter from the smaller clinic. Generally, general hospitals and university hospitals will inquire if you have a referral letter when you make an appointment.
Prepare Necessary Documents
- Bring your ID, insurance card, and any relevant medical history. This will help streamline your visit. Please read further information about health insurance with article below.
2. Upon Arrival
Register at the Reception
- Go to the hospital’s reception desk to check in. You will be asked to provide your ID and insurance card.
Receive a Hospital ID
- After registration, you may receive a hospital ID or registration number. Keep this handy as it will be used for various administrative purposes.
3. After the Visit
Payment
- At smaller hospitals, you may need to pay in cash as credit cards might not be accepted. Be sure to prepare cash in advance.
Pharmacy
- If you receive a prescription, a document called a “処方箋” (shohosen) will be issued, which includes instructions from the doctor about the medication. This prescription details the name, dosage, and usage of the medication. You can take this prescription to any pharmacy that accepts them, not just those near the hospital. Pharmacies that accept prescriptions will have a sign that reads “処方箋” (shohosen) in Japanese.
| English | Japanese | Definition |
|---|---|---|
|
Prescription
|
処方箋 |
shohosen |
Chapter 3: Which Department (科) to Visit Based on Symptoms
You might be wondering which departments to visit based on your symptoms. Please refer to the list below for guidance. The following list shows the appropriate departments for various medical issues.
| Symptom | Department |
|---|---|
|
Abdominal pain |
Internal Medicine (内科) / Surgery (外科) |
|
Acne |
Dermatology (皮膚科) |
|
Age spots |
Plastic Surgery (形成外科) / Dermatology (皮膚科) |
|
Allergies |
Internal Medicine (内科) / Otorhinolaryngology (耳鼻科) / Ophthalmology (眼科) / Dermatology (皮膚科) |
|
Animal bites |
Dermatology (皮膚科) / Surgery (外科) |
|
Anemia |
Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Asthma |
Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Bruises |
Orthopedics (整形外科) / Surgery (外科) |
|
Cataracts |
Ophthalmology (眼科) |
|
Constipation |
Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Cuts |
Plastic Surgery (形成外科) |
|
Dementia |
Memory Clinic (物忘れ外来) / Dementia Clinic (認知症外来) |
|
Dislocated jaw |
Oral Surgery (口腔外科) |
|
Dry throat |
Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Dizziness |
Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Drooping eyelids |
Plastic Surgery (形成外科) |
|
Ear ringing |
Otorhinolaryngology (耳鼻咽頭科) |
|
Eczema |
Dermatology (皮膚科) |
|
Fatigue |
Internal Medicine (内科)
|
|
Frequent urination |
Urology (泌尿器科) / Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Growth disorders |
Pediatrics (小児科) |
|
Gout |
Orthopedics (整形外科) / Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Head injury |
Neurosurgery (脳神経外科) |
|
Herpes |
Dermatology (皮膚科) / Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Hernia (neck / back) |
Orthopedics (整形外科) |
|
High blood pressure |
Nephrology / Hypertension Internal Medicine (腎臓・高血圧内科) / Internal Medicine (循環器科) |
|
Ingrown toenail |
Surgery (外科) / Dermatology (皮膚科) / Plastic Surgery (形成外科) |
|
Insomnia |
Psychosomatic Medicine (心療内科) |
|
Keloids |
Plastic Surgery (形成外科) |
|
Knee pain |
Orthopedics (整形外科) |
|
Liver dysfunction |
Internal Medicine (消化器科) |
|
Male-pattern baldness |
Dermatology (皮膚科) |
|
Menopause symptoms |
Gynecology (婦人科) |
|
Menstrual irregularities |
Gynecology (婦人科) |
|
Moles |
Plastic Surgery (形成外科) / Dermatology (皮膚科) |
|
Nausea |
Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Numbness in limbs |
Neurosurgery (脳神経外科) / Neurology (神経内科) |
|
Obesity |
Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Painful tongue |
Otorhinolaryngology (耳鼻咽頭科) / Oral Surgery (口腔外科) |
|
Palpitations |
Internal Medicine (循環器科) |
|
Prostate enlargement |
Urology (泌尿器科) |
|
Rashes |
Dermatology (皮膚科) |
|
Sensation of residual urine |
Urology (泌尿器科) / Internal Medicine (内科) |
|
Shortness of breath |
Internal Medicine (呼吸器／循環器) |
|
Sinusitis |
Otorhinolaryngology (耳鼻咽頭科) |
|
Sore throat |
Otorhinolaryngology (耳鼻咽頭科) |
|
Sprain |
Orthopedics (整形外科) |
|
Varicose veins |
Vascular Surgery (血管外科) |
|
Vomiting |
Internal Medicine (内科) |
Source: Ideguchi Hospitals
Chapter 6: Summary
Visiting a hospital in Japan can be challenging, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the local healthcare system. It’s important to know the emergency numbers: dial 119 for ambulance or fire services and 110 for police assistance. When selecting a hospital, the Japan Tourism Agency’s “Search Medical Institutions” tool is useful for finding hospitals by area and language preferences. Before your visit, make sure to have your personal identification and insurance information ready, as these will be required at the hospital. During the visit, provide this information at reception and discuss your symptoms and medical history with the doctor. After the consultation, be prepared to pay in cash at smaller hospitals, as credit cards may not be accepted. If you receive a prescription, it can be filled at any pharmacy that accepts prescriptions, no matter how close it is to the hospital.
Hope this guide helps you navigate the Japanese hospitals, and its healthcare system effectively.
