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How to Visit a Hospital in Japan | A Guide for Foreign Residents
While living in Japan, there may be times when you need to visit a hospital.
For many newcomers, the medical system in Japan can feel a little different from their home country.
Foreign residents in particular may feel nervous about visiting a hospital if they are not familiar with the Japanese healthcare system.
In this article, I will explain how to visit hospitals in Japan, the basic procedures, and useful tips for foreigners.
Table of Contents
- 1. Japanese Medical System
- 2. Health Insurance System
- 3. What to Bring to the Hospital
- 4. Hospital Visit Procedure
- 5. Medical Costs
- 6. Tips for Foreign Patients
- Summary
1. Japanese Medical System
Japan has a well-organized medical system.
Most clinics and hospitals allow walk-in visits without reservations.
Hospitals are usually divided into departments such as:
- Internal medicine
- Surgery
- Orthopedics
- Dentistry
- Otolaryngology (ENT)
Just like in many other countries, you simply choose the department that matches your symptoms.
2. Health Insurance System
Foreign residents staying in Japan long-term are required to enroll in health insurance.
The two main systems are:
- National Health Insurance
- Social Health Insurance
If you are enrolled in health insurance, about 70% of medical costs are covered.
This means patients usually pay around 30% of the total cost.
3. What to Bring to the Hospital
When visiting a hospital in Japan, you should prepare the following items.
- Health insurance card
- Residence card
- Cash or credit card
The health insurance card is especially important and must be presented at reception.
4. Hospital Visit Procedure
The process for visiting a hospital in Japan is generally simple.
- Reception
- Fill out a medical questionnaire
- Doctor consultation
- Payment
- Visit pharmacy
In many cases, prescriptions are filled at a pharmacy rather than directly at the hospital.
5. Medical Costs
Medical costs in Japan depend on whether health insurance is applied.
For example, a typical cold consultation usually costs around 1,000 to 3,000 yen after insurance.
If additional tests or treatments are required, the cost may increase.
6. Tips for Foreign Patients
Here are some helpful tips for foreign residents visiting hospitals in Japan.
- Prepare your symptoms in Japanese
- Use translation apps
- Look for hospitals that accept foreign patients
Recently, more hospitals have started offering services for international patients.
In large cities, some hospitals even provide English-speaking support.
Summary
Using hospitals in Japan is not very different from other countries.
With health insurance, medical costs are relatively affordable.
If you prepare the necessary documents, you should be able to visit hospitals in Japan without much difficulty.