Feeling sick in Japan? Where to find a doctor & opening hours
Gother
27 May 2025
Japan has become one of the top dream destinations for Thai travelers. Every year, thousands of Thai tourists head to the Land of the Rising Sun—and even more so now that the Japanese government has waived visa requirements for Thai citizens visiting for up to 15 days. This has made traveling to Japan easier and more popular than ever. While many come to experience Japan’s beauty, culture, and food, there’s one topic that often gets overlooked: what to do if you get sick or injured during your trip. Most travelers aren’t familiar with how hospitals in Japan work or what to expect when seeing a doctor abroad. That’s why Gother isn’t here to recommend sightseeing spots today—instead, we want to share everything you need to know about medical care in Japan. From hospital opening hours to what documents you need to bring, this guide will help you stay prepared while exploring Japan with peace of mind.
Good to Know Before Visiting Japan: Are Hospitals Closed on Weekends?
In general, large hospitals and major medical centers in Japan are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Most hospitals primarily offer outpatient (OPD) services during regular weekday hours—Monday to Friday, typically from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Doctors usually work only on weekdays, and emergency care is covered by on-call physicians during weekends or holidays. While some small private clinics may be open on Saturdays, most are still closed on Sundays and national holidays. So if you're wondering whether hospitals in Japan are closed on weekends, the answer is “yes” in most cases.
How to See a Doctor in Japan: Simple Steps & Important Documents to Prepare
If you experience an accident or fall ill and need to see a doctor in Japan, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find medical help and what documents you’ll need when visiting a hospital in Japan:
1. Assess Your Condition
The first thing to do when feeling unwell is to assess your symptoms and determine the level of care you need, depending on the time of day, urgency, and severity of your condition. You can generally categorize your case into three main scenarios:- Visiting a doctor during clinic hours
- Emergency hospital visits
- Minor symptoms
2. Find a Hospital in Japan
As a tourist, you may not know where the nearest medical facility is. Here are a few ways to find hospitals or clinics in Japan:
- Ask your hotel. Most hotels have information about nearby clinics or hospitals, and some staff may speak English or help make calls for you.
- Visit the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) website, which includes useful medical links for tourists: https://www.jnto.go.jp/
- Call the Japan Visitor Hotline: 050-3816-2787 (available 24/7 in English) for medical assistance and advice.
- Use mobile apps to search for English-speaking clinics and hospitals in your area.
- In emergencies, you can also contact the Thai Embassy or Consulate in Japan. It’s a good idea to keep their contact information with you while traveling.
3. Contact the Hospital
If your symptoms are not severe but you wish to consult a doctor, try calling the clinic or hospital in advance to ask whether you need an appointment. Larger hospitals may have websites where you can check departments and schedule a visit. If calling is difficult, you may visit smaller clinics directly—many accept walk-ins. Japanese hospitals are generally categorized into two types:
- Small clinics (fewer than 19 beds): Typically treat minor conditions, chronic diseases, or offer specialized services such as internal medicine or gynecology.
- Medium to large hospitals (20+ beds): Provide comprehensive medical care, surgery, and multiple departments.
4. See a Doctor
Once you have an appointment or arrive at the clinic, explain your symptoms as clearly as possible. If you don’t speak Japanese, try using English or a translation app. Be sure to tell the doctor or nurse about any pre-existing conditions or allergies. The doctor will examine you and may prescribe medicine. If your case is more serious, you may be referred to a specialized hospital.
5. Pay for Medical Treatment
After receiving treatment, you’ll need to pay the medical fees. Most hospitals accept both cash and credit cards. Don’t forget to ask for a receipt—this is important for claiming travel insurance.
6. Fill a Prescription
If prescribed medication, you’ll receive a prescription slip to bring to a nearby pharmacy. The pharmacist will fill your prescription and explain how to take the medicine. Note that hospitals and clinics in Japan usually do not dispense medicine directly—you must collect it at a pharmacy.
7. Prepare These Documents for Hospital Visits
- Your original passport—for identity verification
- Credit card or cash—some hospitals may not accept cards, so bring cash just in case
- A list of your regular medications—especially if you have ongoing prescriptions
- Your travel insurance card and policy documents—present them early for smooth billing and claim processing
What to Do in Case of a Serious Illness or Emergency at Night in Japan
Many people may worry about hospital opening hours in Japan—especially if they fall seriously ill at night. So what should you do in such a situation? Here are some useful tips to help you handle a medical emergency during nighttime hours in Japan:
1. Call 119 for an ambulance
In cases of severe illness or injury—such as a heart attack, difficulty breathing, or a serious accident—you can dial 119 to call an ambulance. You will be transported to an emergency hospital that can handle your condition.
2. Call the emergency medical consultation center
Dial 7119 (Tokyo area) or 03-3212-2323 to receive medical advice. They can help determine whether you should go to a hospital immediately or wait until the next morning.
3. Search for emergency hospitals that are open at night
Tourists can search city websites or use Google Maps by entering the keyword “救急病院 (Emergency Hospital).” However, be aware that some hospitals may turn patients away if no beds are available.
4. Visit a night-time emergency clinic
For less severe symptoms such as high fever, stomachache, or diarrhea, you can visit a designated night-time emergency medical center.
Simple Japanese Vocabulary for When You're Sick or Seeing a Doctor in Japan
Many travelers visit Japan without speaking much Japanese—or may only know a few basic words. That’s why it’s a good idea to learn some simple Japanese vocabulary in case of a medical emergency. With just a few useful phrases, you'll be better prepared to communicate with doctors or medical staff if needed. Gother has compiled a helpful list of Japanese words and phrases related to common symptoms and health issues to help travelers feel more confident during their trip:
- Headache - 頭が痛い - atama ga itai
- Dizziness - めまいがする - memai ga aru
- Hay fever / Seasonal allergy - かふんしょう - kafunshou
- Fever - 熱がある - netsu ga aru
- Stomachache - 腹が痛い - onaka ga itai
- Diarrhea - 下痢 - geri
- Constipation - べんぴ - benpi
- Eye pain - 眼が痛い - me ga itai
- Itchy - かゆい - kayui
- Itchy eyes - 眼のかゆみ - me no kayumi
- Sore throat - 喉が痛い - nodo ga itai
- Cough - せきが出る - seki ga deru
- Runny nose - はなみず - hanamizu
- Loss of voice - 声が出ない - koe ga denai
- Phlegm - たんが出る - tan ga deru
- Ear pain - 耳が痛い - mimi ga itai
- Can’t hear - 聞こえない - kikoenai
- Ringing in ears - 耳鳴り - miminari
- Mouth pain - 口の中が痛い - kuchi no naka ga itai
- Tongue pain - 舌が痛い - shita ga itai
- Toothache - 歯が痛い - ha ga itai
- Gum pain - 歯茎が痛い - haguki ga itai
- Can’t taste - 味がわからない - aji ga wakaranai
- Can’t turn neck - 首が回らない - kubi ga mawaranai
- Neck pain - 首が痛い - kubi ga itai
- Swollen neck - 首が腫れている - kubi ga hareteiru
- Lower back pain - 腰が痛い - koshi ga itai
- Numbness in legs - 下肢にしぴれがある - kashi ni shipire ga aru
- Knee pain - 膝が痛い - hiza ga itai
- Can’t bend - 曲げられない - magerarenai
- Can’t walk - 歩けない - arukenai
- Cold medicine - かぜぐすり - kaze gusuri
- Eye drops - めぐすり - megusuri
- Fever reducer - げねつざい - genetsuzai
- Pain reliever - いたみどめ - itamidome
- Digestive aid - しょうかざい - shoukazai
- Band-aid - バンドエイド - bando eido
Things You Should Know About Japan’s Healthcare System
Besides learning basic Japanese medical vocabulary or how to see a doctor in Japan, it's also helpful to understand the country’s healthcare system. This way, you'll be better prepared in case of illness or accidents while traveling in Japan.
- Major hospitals and medical centers in Japan usually operate only during standard business hours (09:00 – 17:00). Smaller clinics and private practices may close even earlier. Therefore, getting medical attention at night can be difficult.
- Medical fees in Japan can be quite expensive, especially if you don't have Japanese health insurance. Make sure your travel insurance covers medical treatment in Japan before your trip.
- Language barriers can also be an issue. While doctors in major cities often speak English, many hospital staff primarily communicate in Japanese—especially in rural areas.
- Appointments are usually required for consultations at Japanese hospitals. Without a booking, you may have to wait longer to see a doctor.
- Emergency medical services are available after hours through designated night-time or holiday emergency hospitals and clinics.
