Last updated: July 2026
In short
- Feeling sick? Go to a small local clinic first. You go to a big hospital only with a referral letter.
- A visit has 5 steps: reception, intake form, doctor, payment, pharmacy. Show your insurance card and you pay only 30 percent.
- Tell the doctor three things: since when, where, and how it feels. Simple Japanese or a translation app is fine.
- Life-threatening emergency: call 119 for an ambulance – it is free. Not sure if you need one? Call #7119 for advice.
- How insurance itself works (joining, premiums) is in our National Health Insurance guide.
First, the big picture. Japanese healthcare has two levels: the clinic (診療所 / shinryojo – a small doctor's office) and the hospital (病院 / byoin). The basic rule that surprises many foreigners: you do not start at the big hospital.
Clinic or hospital – which one do I go to?
Start at a clinic. It handles colds, fevers, minor injuries and allergies. If you need surgery, admission or big tests, the clinic writes you a referral letter to a hospital.
Why not go straight to a big hospital? Because without a referral letter (紹介状 / shokaijo), large hospitals charge an extra fee of several thousand yen on top of your bill. Pick the right department instead: naika (内科, general medicine) for fever and stomach problems, jibika (耳鼻科) for ear, nose and throat, ganka (眼科) for eyes.
What happens during the visit? The 5 steps
Reception, intake form, examination, payment, pharmacy – in that order. Bring your insurance card, your residence card, and cash or a card.
How do I explain my symptoms in Japanese?
Say three things: since when, where, and how it feels. These exact phrases work:
| What you want to say | Japanese phrase |
|---|---|
| Since when | Kino kara (きのうから – since yesterday) / Mikka mae kara (3日前から – since 3 days ago) |
| My head hurts | Atama ga itai desu (頭が痛いです) |
| My throat hurts | Nodo ga itai desu (のどが痛いです) |
| My stomach hurts | Onaka ga itai desu (おなかが痛いです) |
| I have a fever | Netsu ga arimasu (熱があります) |
| I have a cough | Seki ga demasu (せきが出ます) |
| I feel nauseous | Hakike ga shimasu (はき気がします) |
| Please speak slowly | Yukkuri onegaishimasu (ゆっくりお願いします) |
Nervous about speaking? Show your symptoms on a translation app – doctors are used to it. Large hospitals sometimes have medical interpreters and multilingual intake forms.
Emergency: when do I call 119, and when #7119?
If it is life-threatening – unconscious, heavy bleeding, cannot breathe – call 119 now. The ambulance is free. If you are not sure whether you need one, call #7119 and a nurse helps you decide.
The ambulance in Japan is free. Do not hesitate because you fear the cost – hesitating is the dangerous part. On the phone, say Kyukyu desu (救急です – this is an emergency), then your address, then the symptoms. Slow, simple Japanese is fine.
What about the cost? Insurance covers 70 percent
With National Health Insurance, a 10,000 yen bill becomes 3,000 yen, and there is a system that caps very large bills from surgery or admission. Joining is required if you stay over 3 months (as of July 2026) – how to join, what it costs and how the cap works are all in the National Health Insurance guide. Paying your premiums also matters for your paperwork and visa renewal.
Official source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Frequently asked questions
I forgot my insurance card. Do I pay the full price?
That day, yes – you pay 100 percent. Bring your card to the same clinic later and they refund the 70 percent difference. Keep the receipt.
Can I go straight to a big hospital?
You can, but without a referral letter a large hospital adds an extra fee of several thousand yen. Start at a clinic and get a referral letter if you need one.
Does calling an ambulance cost money?
No. The ambulance is free in Japan. In a life-threatening emergency, call 119 without hesitating. If you are unsure, call #7119 first (#8000 for children).
Does insurance work at the dentist?
Yes. Dental treatment is covered and you pay 30 percent. Cosmetic treatment such as whitening is not covered.
Can I see a doctor if I do not speak Japanese?
Yes. Simple Japanese or a translation app is enough at most clinics. Large hospitals may have medical interpreters and multilingual forms. Bringing a friend also helps.
Summary
- Start at a clinic – move to a hospital with a referral letter
- The visit: reception, intake form, doctor, pay 30 percent, pharmacy
- Tell the doctor since when, where, how it feels
- Life-threatening: 119, free. Unsure: #7119
- Insurance details: NHI guide
