Author: iryou@nihon

Feeling unwell during a trip can be stressful, especially when you are not sure where to go for medical care.

If you develop a fever, cough, stomach problems, headache, or other common symptoms while visiting Japan, you may be wondering what type of clinic to visit, whether you need an appointment, and whether you can receive care without Japanese health insurance.

This guide explains where to start, how to find appropriate medical care, and what to check before visiting a clinic in Japan.

Where should I go if I feel unwell?

For common illnesses such as fever, cough, headache, stomach problems, or general fatigue, an internal medicine clinic (Naika / 内科) is often a good place to start for adults.

Internal medicine clinics treat a wide range of general medical conditions. However, the services available vary between clinics, and some may have specific procedures for patients with fever or respiratory symptoms.

Before visiting, check whether the clinic accepts international visitors, whether an appointment is required, and whether English support is available.

What if I have a fever?

If you have a fever, it is a good idea to check with the clinic before visiting.

Some medical facilities may ask patients with a fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms to make an appointment in advance or follow a separate check-in procedure.

If possible, check the clinic’s website or call ahead and tell them about your symptoms before you arrive.

Do not assume that every clinic can accept you immediately, even during its regular opening hours.

If you have a child with a fever

For babies and children, a pediatric clinic (Shonika / 小児科) is generally the appropriate place to start.

My Child Is Sick in Tokyo: What Should I Do?

If you suddenly become seriously ill or injured while traveling in Japan, knowing what to do can make the situation much less stressful.

Here’s a simple guide to getting emergency medical help in Japan.

🚑 In a serious emergency, call 119

In Japan, 119 is the emergency number for an ambulance or fire department.

Call 119 if someone has a serious or potentially life-threatening condition, such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Severe chest pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Signs of a stroke
• Severe bleeding
• A serious accident or injury
• Seizures or other sudden severe symptoms

Japan’s Ministry of Health also recommends calling an ambulance without hesitation when symptoms suggest a serious emergency.

Ambulance: 119
Police: 110

If you are unable to make the call yourself, ask someone nearby:

“Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.”
(救急車を呼んでください。)
“Please call an ambulance.”

But do not dela

🌙 What if it feels urgent, but not life-threatening?

Not every illness requires an ambulance.

If you have a fever, stomach problem, minor injury, or another condition that needs medical attention but does not appear life-threatening, you may be able to visit a clinic or hospital directly.

Japan has medical facilities that accept international patients, and the Japanese government provides information for finding facilities by location, available languages, and medical specialty.

🌏 Need help in English?

The Japan Visitor Hotline can assist international visitors with emergencies, illness, accidents, and other travel-related problems.

Japan Visitor Hotline

📞 050-3816-2787

Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Languages: English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. 

💳 What about medical costs?

International visitors may have to pay medical expenses themselves, depending on their insurance coverage.

Medical treatment can become expensive, particularly if emergency treatment or hospitalization is required. Japan’s Ministry of Health recommends that international visitors have private travel health insurance with sufficient coverage.

If you have travel insurance, contact your insurer as soon as reasonably possible after the immediate emergency has been addressed.

Quick emergency guide

Life-threatening emergency → Call 119

Police emergency → Call 110

Urgent but not life-threatening → Find a clinic or hospital

Need help as an international visitor → Japan Visitor Hotline: 050-3816-2787

Save this page before your trip

Hopefully, you’ll never need it — but knowing who to call and where to go can make an emergency in an unfamiliar country much easier to handle.

📱 What if I can’t call 119 from my phone?

This is especially important for international travelers.

If your phone is connected to a mobile network in Japan and can make voice calls, you can generally call 119 directly. You do not need to add Japan’s country code (+81).

However, having internet access does not necessarily mean you can make an emergency phone call.

For example, if you are using only Wi-Fi or a data-only eSIM, your phone may not have regular voice-call service in Japan.

If you cannot call 119, ask someone nearby to call an ambulance for you.

You can ask for help at places such as:

• Your hotel or accommodation
• A convenience store
• A train station
• A restaurant or shop
• A police box (koban)

Show them this sentence if needed:

救急車を呼んでください。

Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai.

Please call an ambulance.

If the situation appears life-threatening, do not spend time searching online for a hospital. Get someone nearby to call 119.

⸻

🏥 What happens after you call 119?

The emergency operator will ask for information about the situation and your location.

Try to explain:

• What happened
• Where you are
• The patient’s symptoms
• The patient’s age, if known
• Your name and contact information

An ambulance will be dispatched and the emergency team will coordinate transportation to an appropriate medical facility.

If possible, have the following available:

• Passport or identification
• Travel insurance information
• A list of medications you take
• Information about allergies or existing medical conditions

But do not delay calling an ambulance because you do not have these items with you.

Can I choose which hospital I go to?

If you are taken by ambulance, you generally cannot choose the hospital yourself.

The ambulance team will coordinate with an appropriate medical facility based on your condition and which hospitals are able to accept you at that time.

This means you may not necessarily be taken to the nearest hospital or to a hospital you already know.

If you have a preference — for example, because you have previously been treated at a particular hospital — you can tell the ambulance team, but your preferred hospital may not be able to accept you.

If your condition is not an emergency and you are able to travel to a medical facility on your own, you can choose where to seek medical care.

⸻

🗣️ Can I call 119 in English?

Foreign-language support for 119 varies by local fire department.

Many areas use a three-way telephone interpretation service for calls from international visitors, but availability and supported languages can vary by location.

If communication is difficult, use simple words and clearly state your location.

If someone nearby speaks Japanese, asking them to help with the call may also make communication easier.

⸻

💴 Is an ambulance free in Japan?

Calling a public ambulance through 119 does not normally involve an ambulance transportation charge.

However, the medical care you receive at the hospital is separate and may cost money.

International visitors who are not covered by Japan’s public health insurance may need to pay the cost of their medical treatment themselves. The amount can vary depending on the hospital and the treatment required.

If you have travel insurance, keep your insurance information with you and contact your insurer when reasonably possible.

⸻

🌙 What if I need a doctor, but it’s not an emergency?

Not every illness or injury requires an ambulance.

If your condition does not appear life-threatening — for example, a fever, stomach problem, rash, minor injury, or other illness — you may be able to visit a clinic or hospital yourself.

→ How to See a Doctor in Japan as a Tourist

Yes. International visitors can receive medical care in Japan even if they are not enrolled in Japan’s public health insurance system.

However, you will generally need to pay the full cost of your medical care yourself. Fees and payment policies can vary between medical facilities, so it is a good idea to check the clinic’s website or contact them before visiting.

If you have travel insurance, keep your insurance information and any documents you may need for a claim. Some medical facilities may also be able to provide receipts or medical documents for insurance purposes.

If you become sick or injured while traveling in Japan, you may be unsure where to go or how to see a doctor.

Should you visit a clinic or a hospital? Do you need an appointment? Can you receive medical care without Japanese health insurance? And what should you bring with you?

This guide walks you through the practical steps for seeing a doctor in Japan as an international visitor, from finding the right medical facility to understanding what to expect during your visit.

Where should I go for medical care?

In Japan, you do not always need to go to a large hospital when you feel unwell.

For common illnesses and minor injuries, a local clinic is often the most practical place to start. Clinics usually specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as internal medicine, dermatology, orthopedics, or ENT (ear, nose and throat).

Larger hospitals are generally more appropriate when you need emergency care, specialized examinations or treatment that cannot be provided at a clinic.

If you are seriously ill or injured and need immediate medical attention, call 119 for an ambulance.

Choosing the right type of clinic

Clinics in Japan are usually organized by medical specialty. Choosing the right type of clinic can help you get the care you need more efficiently.

If you have…	Look for…
Fever, cough, stomach problems or general illness	Internal Medicine (Naika, 内科)
Injury, joint pain, back pain or a sprain	Orthopedics (Seikei Geka, 整形外科)
Skin rash or other skin problems	Dermatology (Hifuka, 皮膚科)
Ear, nose or throat problems	ENT (Jibi Inkoka, 耳鼻咽喉科)
Eye problems	Ophthalmology (Ganka, 眼科)
Dental pain or a broken tooth	Dental Clinic (Shika, 歯科)

If you are not sure which specialty you need, an internal medicine clinic is often a useful starting point for general symptoms.

Traveling with a sick child can be stressful, especially in a country where you may not speak the language or know how the healthcare system works.

If your child becomes sick while visiting Tokyo, this guide will help you understand where to seek medical care, what to expect, and what to prepare before visiting a clinic or hospital.

First, is it an emergency?
If your child appears seriously ill or injured, call 119 for an ambulance.

In Japan, 119 is the emergency number for an ambulance. When you call, you will be asked about your location, your child’s symptoms and age, and your contact information.

English interpretation is available for emergency calls involving foreign visitors.

If it is not an emergency

If your child needs medical attention but the situation is not life-threatening, the next step depends on the time of day and the type of care your child needs.

During regular clinic hours, a pediatric clinic is usually a good place to start. In the evening, at night, or on weekends and public holidays, you may need to look for an after-hours clinic or other urgent medical service.

Finding a pediatric clinic in Tokyo

During regular clinic hours, a pediatric clinic is usually a good place to start. However, not every clinic in Tokyo is able to see international visitors or provide care in English.

Before visiting, it is helpful to check whether the clinic accepts children of your child’s age, whether English support is available, and whether an appointment is required.

Pediatric care options in Tokyo

Tokyo Station International Clinic
📍 Tokyo Station area

• Pediatrics
• English-speaking medical care
• Open daily, including weekends
• 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
• International patients accepted
• Japanese health insurance is not required

Information checked: September 2026.

Naito Pediatric and Internal Medicine Clinic

📍 Ebisu, Shibuya

• Pediatrics
• English-speaking medical care
• About 3–5 minutes from Ebisu Station
• Mon, Wed & Fri: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. / 4:00–6:30 p.m.
• Tue: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
• Thu: Closed
• Sat: 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
• Sun & public holidays: Closed
• Credit cards accepted

Information checked: September 2026.

Loco clinic

📍 Nakameguro, Meguro

• Pediatrics
• Babies and children accepted
• English-speaking staff
• Walk-in urgent care available
• No Japanese health insurance? Still fine
• Mon–Fri: 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. / 5:00–10:30 p.m.
• Sat & Sun: 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Public holidays: Irregular schedule
• About 5 minutes from Nakameguro Station

Information checked: September 2026