Getting sick in a foreign country can be scary. The first time I needed medical care in Japan, my mind raced with questions: Would I understand the doctor? Could I get the right medicine? How would I handle the payment? With a severe case of strep throat, I had no choice but to find out.
Fortunately, my experience taught me that medical care in Japan is efficient, professional, and surprisingly affordable. Let me share with you what I’ve learned from my experience.
Before You Leave Home
- Get traveler’s insurance for your stay – it’s the simplest and most cost-effective option. AIG is what I’ve heard is good from friends, but World Nomads, Travelex, Safety Wing, and Faye Travel Insurance are all highly recommended.
- Some U.S. insurance policies and credit cards offer coverage abroad, but verify the details before relying on them.
- Pack digital and paper copies of important medical documents, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
- Bring enough regular medications to last your entire stay plus a few extra days. I recommend keeping them in original containers just in case a Japanese doctor needs to see them.
When You Need Care in Japan
- For emergencies, dial 119 for an ambulance or fire department (multilingual support available).
- The JNTO website is a good resource for travelers to find helpful information about medical clinics with English-speaking staff. Specifically, be sure to bookmark the Japan Visitor Hotline page for contact numbers in case you need them.
- Take your passport and insurance information with you to medical visits.
- Most clinics operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Since appointments are rare, you may have to wait a little.
- Expect measurements in metric (37°C+ indicates fever).
Self Care
If you get sick and think it’s mild enough to get better just by resting in your hotel, remember to stay hydrated. Japanese convenience stores sell Aquarius and Pocari Sweat. These two brands of sports drinks are the best for replenishing your electrolytes and keeping you hydrated.
Over-the-counter meds are also available in local drug stores, as well as a few basic options in convenience stores. If you don’t have your OTC meds with you, there’s likely something similar to be found in Japan.
What to Expect:
Japanese medical care is thorough and respectful. In my experience, doctors typically dispense prescription medications right at their office, though some may provide written prescriptions for pharmacies. Payment happens at reception immediately after your visit. Remember to keep your receipts for insurance claims.
The Cost Factor:
Here’s what surprised me most: medical care in Japan is remarkably affordable. A typical doctor’s visit costs just a few hundred yen (US$3-8 for the insurance copay). Even if you have to pay 100% of the costs due to not having insurance, it is only a small fraction of the medical costs we see in the US. Hospital stays are equally reasonable. When I had my tonsillectomy, the week-long recovery stay had only a modest copay.
You don’t need to worry that getting sick will ruin your Japanese adventure. With some planning, you can face any medical situation with confidence. I’ve been through it myself – from strep throat to surgery – and can assure you that Japan’s healthcare system is both accessible and affordable for travelers.
The Language Barrier
While some of the larger cities have clinics with English support, it’s much harder to find when traveling around rural areas. Doing your best with a translation app may be your only option. However, if you plan to travel in rural areas and are motivated to learn some Japanese before you travel, here are a few basic words and phrases to remember:
- Do you speak English? – 英語を話せますか？ (Eigo o hanasemasu ka?)
- Help! – 助けて！ (Tasukete!)
- I need a doctor. – 医者が必要です。(Isha ga hitsuyou desu.)
- Hospital. – 病院 (Byouin)
- Pharmacy. – 薬局 (Yakkyoku)
- I have pain here. (Point to where it hurts) – ここが痛いです。(Koko ga itai desu.)
- I feel sick. – 気分が悪いです。(Kibun ga warui desu.)
- Fever – 熱 (Netsu)
- Allergy – アレルギー (Arerugii)
- Medicine – 薬 (Kusuri)
- My insurance card – 保険証 (Hokenshou)
While I hope you never need to use this information or deal with being sick when you travel, it is better to plan for it. Here’s to your safe and healthy travels!