Looking for hospital in Tokyo? Here's what we know from experience.
Good to Know
Tokyo has world-class medical care but the language barrier is real. Unlike Bangkok or Singapore, you can't just walk into any hospital and expect English. The key is knowing which hospitals have international departments. St. Luke's International Hospital in Tsukiji, the Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic in Shiba-koen, and Sanno Hospital in Akasaka are the main options for English-speaking travelers. The AMDA International Medical Information Center can also help connect you with English-speaking doctors across the city.
Cost
Japan's healthcare is surprisingly affordable even for foreigners without national insurance. A consultation at a clinic runs 5,000 to 10,000 JPY (35 to 70 USD). ER visits at hospitals cost more, typically 15,000 to 30,000 JPY. If you have travel insurance, most international-oriented hospitals can process claims directly. Without insurance, you pay out of pocket but it's still reasonable compared to the US.
Practical tips
St. Luke's in Tsukiji is the gold standard for foreigners in Tokyo. The international department speaks fluent English and they're used to treating travelers. The Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic near Tokyo Tower is smaller and more like a GP office, good for non-emergencies. If you're in Shinjuku or Shibuya and need something quick, search for clinics with English support on the AMDA website. Japan's ambulance service is free but they'll take you to whoever's on rotation, which might not be an English-friendly hospital. If it's not life-threatening, a taxi to St. Luke's is often the better move.
Language
This is the biggest challenge. Even at major hospitals, English outside the international departments is limited. At St. Luke's and the Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic, English is fluent. Everywhere else, assume Japanese only. The AMDA hotline (03-5285-8088) provides free medical interpretation over the phone. We saved this number on our phones before arriving and it was genuinely useful.
Where to go
For emergencies, call 119 (Japan's ambulance number). For non-emergencies during business hours, go directly to St. Luke's or the Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic. Evenings and weekends are harder. Many clinics close on Sundays and holidays. St. Luke's ER is 24 hours.
With kids
National Center for Child Health and Development in Setagaya is Tokyo's premier children's hospital. For emergencies closer to central Tokyo, St. Luke's has a pediatric ER. Neighborhood pediatric clinics are everywhere and handle routine illnesses quickly, though they operate in Japanese.
We had to figure this out ourselves in Tokyo. Sharing so you don't have to.
Need a hospital near you? travel-ER finds the closest one in seconds.
🔍 Search nearbyThis page is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Information may be outdated or inaccurate. Always call ahead to confirm. See our full disclaimer.
See something outdated or wrong? Let me know!
Sources: WHO Japan · CDC Travel Health: Japan · AMDA International Medical Information Center