Japan Healthcare Info

Emergency Clinics

If you are in not so serious or critical condition but need to seek medical help, emergency clinics are the first place to visit. Some emergency clinics have a rotation system and operate at night and on weekends.

To find an emergency clinic, check the website of your local medical association Ishikai 医師会 いしかい). For example, if you live in Shibuya Ward, find the Shibuya-ku Ishikai page (Shibuya Ward Medical Association) and search for clinics and hospitals that are on duty. Most of these websites are only available in Japanese.

Most emergency clinics are open from 6:00 pm until around 8:00 pm. On weekends and public holidays they may close earlier.
It is very important to call them before you visit to find out if they can accept. Due to the limited number of staff and equipment, it is not guaranteed that the clinic can accept a patient at the particular time you want to visit.

After calling them and ensuring they can treat you, visit the clinic. It may take longer than usual to see a doctor, but the basic process is the same as a regular clinic visit. Visit the Japanese Clinic page for an explanation of these procedures.
JHI can call them and make an arrangement for your visit. Call or email us for details  (Members are prioritized for emergency assistance. After 17:00, weekends and holidays are members service only ).

Emergency Hospitals

Major hospitals have emergency rooms that are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These are mainly for patients in need of critical care. Patients who do not need critical care are often rejected and advised to visit an emergency clinic. Keep in mind, a doctor specializing in your condition may not be available at the time of your emergency visit. 

Because of these factors, it can be difficult to find an appropriate major hospital to visit in case of an emergency.
Similar to emergency clinics, you can learn more about emergency hospitals through your local medical association (Ishikai 医師会 いしかい) web site, or by visiting your city’s official website. For example, if you live in Shibuya Ward, visit the Shibuya Ward official page. You should find a list of emergency hospitals that are available afterhours and on weekends.

If you are considering visiting the emergency room of a hospital you have been to as a patient before, your chances of being admitted are higher. However, it is still recommended to call the hospital before going there. The specialist you need may not be available at the time of your visit.

It is very important to call and in advance of your visit to determine if you can be admitted. Due to the limited number of staff and equipment, hospitals cannot guarantee the ability to accept a patient at the particular time you want to visit.

After calling to ensure they can treat you, visit the hospital. Many hospitals have special entrances for afterhours and weekends, so it may be best to check with the hospital. It may take longer than usual to see a doctor, but the basic process is the same as a regular hospital visit. Visit the Japanese Hospital page for an explanation of these procedures.

If your condition is serious, call 119 for ambulance.  Visit our Ambulance page for details.
JHI can help you obtain emergency care services (Members are prioritized for emergency assistance. After 17:00, weekends and holidays are members service only). Contact us.

How much will it cost?

When you visit an emergency clinic or emergency room, bring your health insurance card and cash. Payments at emergency facilities may be different from standard clinic and hospital payments, so it is recommended to bring more money than usual. The costs are often more expensive than visiting a clinic during the day.
ATMs are usually available inside major hospitals.