Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 119 for ambulance (FREE — no charge regardless of nationality). Say "kyūkyūsha onegaishimasu" (救急車お願いします — "ambulance please"). The #7119 health consultation hotline (available in Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities) provides 24/7 advice on whether you need an ambulance — some operators speak English. For English assistance, call AMDA International Medical Information Center: 03-6233-9266.
Response time: 5-10 minutes in cities (national average 8.9 minutes). Ambulance service is FREE for everyone including tourists. However, finding a hospital willing to accept the patient ("たらい回し/tarai-mawashi" — being bounced between hospitals) can add 30-60+ minutes in some cases.
Cost: Ambulance: FREE. ER treatment: ¥10,000-50,000+ ($70-350+) without insurance. Hospital admission: ¥30,000-100,000+/day ($200-700+). An additional ¥5,000-8,000 surcharge applies for visiting large hospitals without a referral letter (紹介状/shōkaijō).
Healthcare System
Japan has one of the world's best healthcare systems — high quality, affordable (for insured residents), and with remarkably short wait times. The system covers 70% of costs for insured residents (30% copay). However, it is designed entirely for residents — tourists pay 100% out-of-pocket. The biggest challenge for visitors is the language barrier: very few doctors speak English outside major international clinics in Tokyo and Osaka. Clinics are speciality-based (内科/naika = internal medicine, 耳鼻咽喉科/jibinkōka = ENT) — there is no "GP" concept. Patients self-select which specialist to visit. Japan has more hospital beds per capita than any OECD country but faces a growing doctor shortage in rural areas. CRITICALLY: many common Western medications are ILLEGAL in Japan, including some ADHD medications, certain cold medicines, and strong painkillers.
Designed for: All residents enrolled in National Health Insurance (NHI — 国民健康保険) or employer-based Shakai Hoken (社会保険). Tourists pay full cost.
GP Access & Costs
No "GP" system — patients visit specialised clinics directly (内科/naika for general medicine, 小児科/shōnika for pediatrics, etc.). Walk-in without referral. International clinics in Tokyo (St. Luke's, Tokyo Midtown Medical) and Osaka offer English-speaking doctors but at premium prices.
Typical wait: Usually under 30 minutes at regular clinics. International clinics: same-day to next-day appointments. Large hospitals without referral: 1-3+ hour waits.
Availability: Clinics are extremely abundant in cities — virtually every neighbourhood has multiple. Most close on Sundays, national holidays, and often Wednesday or Thursday afternoons. Saturday mornings usually available. Evening clinics (夜間診療) available in larger cities. Rural areas: clinics scarce, but quality is generally good.
GP Visit
¥3,000-10,000 ($20-70) at regular clinics
Private GP
¥3,000-10,000 ($20-70) at regular clinics. International clinics: ¥10,000-30,000+ ($70-200+). Dental: ¥5,000-15,000+.
ER Without Insurance
¥10,000-50,000+ ($70-350+) for ER. Hospital admission: ¥30,000-100,000+/day. Surgery: ¥500,000-2,000,000+ ($3,500-14,000+). Costs are reasonable by Western standards but add up quickly for extended stays.
Medication
Medications affordable by Western standards. Dispensed at hospital pharmacies or independent dispensing pharmacies (調剤薬局/chōzai yakkyoku) next to clinics — bring your prescription (処方箋/shohōsen). Generic medications (ジェネリック/jenerikku) increasingly available and cheaper. Pharmacy staff rarely speak English.
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm typical. Drugstore chains (マツモトキヨシ/Matsumoto Kiyoshi, ウエルシア/Welcia, ツルハ/Tsuruha, ドン・キホーテ/Don Quijote) open until 10pm-midnight — sell OTC medications, cosmetics, and snacks. Hospital dispensing pharmacies close earlier (5-6pm). 24-hour pharmacies rare except in very large cities.
OTC: Drugstores sell OTC medications but categories differ from Western countries. Japanese OTC classifications: 第1類 (Class 1 — pharmacist consultation required), 第2類 (Class 2), 第3類 (Class 3 — self-service). Ibuprofen (イブ/Eve brand), acetaminophen, antihistamines, and stomach medicines widely available. Packaging is in Japanese — use Google Lens to translate.
Controlled substances: CRITICAL: Japan has extremely strict drug laws. The following are ILLEGAL even with a foreign prescription: Adderall and other amphetamine-based ADHD medications, Vyvanse, Dexedrine, methamphetamine (even prescribed). Codeine over 10% concentration, some cold medicines with pseudoephedrine above limits, and all cannabis products (including CBD in some cases) are prohibited. Stimulant medications (覚醒剤/kakuseizai) carry severe penalties including imprisonment. For permitted controlled medications (e.g., methylphenidate/Concerta, some opioid painkillers), you MUST obtain a Yakkan Shōmei (薬監証明) import certificate BEFORE travel from the Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare. Maximum 1 month supply.
Practical Tips
- Use AMDA International Medical Information Center (03-6233-9266) for English-speaking doctor referrals — multilingual service
- Check ALL medication legality with Japanese Embassy BEFORE packing — violations result in arrest and imprisonment
- Apply for Yakkan Shōmei import certificate if carrying any controlled medications — process takes 2+ weeks
- Download Google Translate with Japanese offline pack — use camera mode to read clinic signs and medicine labels
- Carry cash (¥10,000-30,000) for clinic visits — many don't accept credit cards
- For after-hours care, call #7119 (available in Tokyo, Osaka, other cities) — health consultation hotline with some English support
- Visit 内科 (naika — internal medicine) clinics for general health issues — closest equivalent to a Western GP
- Tax-free drugstores (look for "Tax Free" signs) offer OTC medication purchases for tourists without consumption tax
Who can get care in Japan?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Japan treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
The public system does not cover visitors, so care is paid privately or through insurance.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
No "GP" system — patients visit specialised clinics directly (内科/naika for general medicine, 小児科/shōnika for pediatrics, etc.). Walk-in without referral. International clinics in Tokyo (St. Luke's, Tokyo Midtown Medical) and Osaka offer English-speaking doctors but at premium prices. Typical cost: ¥3,000-10,000 ($20-70) at regular clinics. International clinics: ¥10,000-30,000+ ($70-200+) per consultation. Typical wait: Usually under 30 minutes at regular clinics. International clinics: same-day to next-day appointments. Large hospitals without referral: 1-3+ hour waits.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Not a formal entry requirement, but medical cover is strongly recommended. Emergency care without cover: ¥10,000-50,000+ ($70-350+) for ER. Hospital admission: ¥30,000-100,000+/day. Surgery: ¥500,000-2,000,000+ ($3,500-14,000+). Costs are reasonable by Western standards but add up quickly for extended stays..
Documents worth having ready
- Travel insurance with medical repatriation (essential — standard costs manageable but complex cases expensive)
- Passport and visa/visa waiver status
- Doctor's letter for ALL medications in English AND Japanese (critical — get embassy translation)
- Medication import form (薬監証明/Yakkan Shōmei) for controlled substances — apply to Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare BEFORE travel
- List of medications with generic (INN) names — brand names differ in Japan
- AMDA Medical Information Center number saved in phone: 03-6233-9266
Local contacts in Japan
Emergency services
119 (ambulance/fire) / 110 (police)
Call 119 for ambulance (FREE — no charge regardless of nationality). Say "kyūkyūsha onegaishimasu" (救急車お願いします — "ambulance please"). The #7119 health consultation hotline (available in Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities) provides 24/7 advice on whether you need an ambulance — some operators speak English. For English assistance, call AMDA International Medical Information Center: 03-6233-9266.
Pharmacies
Mon-Sat 9am-7pm typical. Drugstore chains (マツモトキヨシ/Matsumoto Kiyoshi, ウエルシア/Welcia, ツルハ/Tsuruha, ドン・キホーテ/Don Quijote) open until 10pm-midnight — sell OTC medications, cosmetics, and snacks. Hospital dispensing pharmacies close earlier (5-6pm). 24-hour pharmacies rare except in very large cities.
Drugstores sell OTC medications but categories differ from Western countries. Japanese OTC classifications: 第1類 (Class 1 — pharmacist consultation required), 第2類 (Class 2), 第3類 (Class 3 — self-service). Ibuprofen (イブ/Eve brand), acetaminophen, antihistamines, and stomach medicines widely available. Packaging is in Japanese — use Google Lens to translate.
What are the emergency numbers in Japan?
Ambulance/Fire: 119, Police: 110. Emergency operators may not speak English. In Tokyo, the Himawari medical helpline (03-5285-8181) provides English-language medical information 24/7. The JNTO Tourist Hotline (050-3816-2787) also assists in emergencies.
Is healthcare free in Japan for visitors?
No. Japan's universal health insurance (NHI) only covers residents. Visitors must pay the full cost upfront — most hospitals do not accept foreign insurance cards. Carry cash or a credit card as some clinics are cash-only. Claim reimbursement from your travel insurer afterwards.
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Sources: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), JNTO, AMDA International Medical Information Center, Japan Customs — Medication Import Rules, CDC Travelers Health Japan 2025
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
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