Travel in Japan Tip | Health Care Services for Travelers
The State of Health Care in Japan
If you become sick while staying in Japan, there is the risk that you might need to go to a hospital. However, we have to warn you, that you have to expect to pay very expensive health costs, unfortunately.
Every person with an address in Japan is required to enroll in some form of public health insurance by law, where eligible people receive insurance coverage up to 70% of their health costs. However, Tourists or visitors cannot enroll in this public insurance and will require to pay entire costs and fees.
In Japan, it is known that a doctor's bill is so expensive even for people having public insurance, therefore for travellers to Japan, it is recommended you take out a traveler’s insurance policy.
If your illness is not so serious, you can go directly to a drug store to get over-the-counter medicine, and then stayi in bed to care for yourself. Pharmacies or Drug stores are called “Doraggu Sutoa” = Drug store in Japanese. To find Japanese phrases to use when buying medicine at a drug store, see here.
If you feel your illness is serious and need to go to a hospital immediately, you can search for hospitals in Tokyo on this web site.
Himawari (Tokyo Medical Institutions Information Service
For medical emergencies, it is recommended to ask someone who speaks Japanese and call an ambulance (119). Hopefully, calling up an ambulance will be final choice as you might be taken to large hospital far from the place you stay.
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