What Hospital Visits in Japan Are Really Like
I have been living in Osaka, Japan, and have often visited various hospitals, both large and small. However, when I first went to a hospital in Japan, the only thing I knew was that I needed to bring my health insurance card (which has been integrated with the My Number Card since December 2024). I knew nothing about the Japanese medical system, and as a result, I faced difficulties several times.
Japan’s medical system is well known for its high quality and has many convenient aspects, but it is also true that there are still some inconveniences. Especially for people who do not often visit hospitals, whether Japanese or foreigners, the system can feel unfamiliar and difficult to get used to.
Although I am a foreigner, my Japanese is good enough that I have not had any problems with medical examinations or treatments. However, I did notice many differences compared to hospitals in Korea.
In this post, I have summarized the main features of Japanese hospitals that I have come to know through my own experiences. If you are living in Japan or planning to stay for a long period, I hope this information will be helpful. Also, I have written about other details in separate posts, so please take a look at those as well.
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Things to Keep in Mind When Using Hospitals in Japan
1. Limited Availability of English Support
In Japan, English-speaking medical services are not widely available, except in some large hospitals in major cities. In smaller clinics or rural areas, it is often difficult to find medical staff who can communicate in foreign languages. If you are not fluent in Japanese, it may be challenging to explain your symptoms accurately, and it can also be difficult to fully understand the doctor’s explanations.
Whenever possible, it is advisable to bring along a Japanese-speaking friend or to visit a hospital that offers interpretation support. In recent years, more hospitals have begun providing multilingual services such as English, Chinese, and Korean for foreign patients, so checking in advance and knowing where these hospitals are located in your area can be very reassuring.
2. Limited Information Sharing Between Hospitals
Although Japan’s medical system has been steadily modernizing and adopting digital systems, information sharing between hospitals is still often insufficient. When you change hospitals, your past test results and medical records are usually not transferred automatically. As a result, you may need to undergo the same tests again or personally prepare and bring the necessary documents.
This can be inconvenient, especially if you require long-term treatment or specialized examinations. To avoid such issues, it is advisable to request copies of your medical records in advance and keep them ready to present at your next hospital visit.
3. Second Opinions Are Available but Require Formal Procedures
In Japan, it is also possible to seek a second opinion regarding a diagnosis or treatment plan. However, in many cases, you will need to provide a referral letter from your primary doctor, and additional fees may apply. In some hospitals, making an appointment in advance is also mandatory, so it is not something you can easily obtain without following the proper procedures.
If you feel uncertain about your treatment or wish to consult another doctor’s perspective, the usual step is to formally request a referral letter from your current physician. By checking the procedures and costs in advance, you can avoid unnecessary confusion and make more informed and confident decisions about your treatment.
4. Long Waiting Times Even with Reservations
In Japan, even if you make a reservation, it is not uncommon to wait 30 minutes to an hour or more before seeing the doctor. This is especially the case at well-known hospitals or university hospitals, where the number of patients is particularly high.
Since delays in appointment times are quite common, it is wise to keep your schedule flexible and avoid making other plans immediately afterward. Some hospitals also provide ways to check waiting times through monitors in the lobby or via mobile apps, so taking advantage of these can make your visit more manageable.
5. Short Operating Hours and Limited Weekend Services
In Japan, most hospitals and clinics are open on weekdays from around 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and many of them close during lunchtime. Evening consultations, weekends, and public holidays are often not available unless it is an emergency, making it difficult to receive treatment outside regular hours.
For this reason, it is important to check the operating hours before visiting. For people with limited availability during weekdays, such as workers or students, it is useful to look for clinics that offer evening or Saturday morning services. In addition, knowing the location of emergency medical centers or clinics that provide night-time and holiday consultations can give you extra peace of mind.
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