1. Public health insurance system
In Japan, all residents are required to enroll in a health insurance plan through their employer or local municipality. Foreigners who stay in Japan for more than three months must also enroll in health insurance. By enrolling in health insurance, individuals can reduce their out-of-pocket expenses when visiting medical institutions or purchasing medication.
Foreign travelers visiting Japan are not covered by Japan's public health insurance system, resulting in the possibility of high medical costs.
Click here for a detailed explanation of the health insurance system.
2. Free access
In Japan, patients can freely choose their medical institution and receive treatment.
- However, depending on the medical institution's operating hours and treatment capacity, some visits may not be possible. Be sure to check in advance by calling the medical institution before your visit.
3. Medication
There are two types of medication in Japan: Prescription medications, which require a prescription from a medical institution; and Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, which can be freely purchased at pharmacies or drugstores.
When you receive a prescription (a document listing the medications prescribed by the doctor) from a medical institution, you can obtain your medication in one of the following ways:
- In-hospital prescription: You receive your medication directly from the hospital.
- Out-of-hospital prescription: You take your prescription to an external pharmacy to purchase the medication.
If you have symptoms such as a headache or stomachache but do not need to visit a medical institution, you can consult a pharmacist (a medication specialist) at a pharmacy or drugstore to find a suitable medication.
4. Payment methods
Many medical institutions in Japan do not accept credit cards or electronic payments. This is especially important for foreign travelers, who may not carry large amounts of cash. Be sure to check the available payment methods with the medical institution in advance.
Reference：Handbook for medical institutions accepting foreign patients (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
Tokyo Intercultural Portal Site (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation “TSUNAGARI”)
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