Finding a Hospital That Speaks Your Language
Many clinics and hospitals in Japan can see patients in English or other languages, but it is hard to know which ones from the outside. Official search tools can help. This guide shows where to look and how to prepare.
Search with the JNTO medical guide
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) runs a guide to medical institutions where you can search for clinics and hospitals that accept foreign patients, in foreign languages. The Immigration Services Agency's guidebook for foreign residents points to this site.
The national list of medical institutions
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare publishes a list of medical institutions that accept foreign patients. Each prefecture compiles its part, and the list is shared as a spreadsheet you can download.
Multilingual forms at the hospital
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare also prepares multilingual materials for hospitals to use with foreign patients, such as reception forms, medical questionnaires (monshinhyō, 問診票) for each department, and explanations of treatment. These are made for hospitals, so ask the reception desk whether they have one in your language.
Before you go
- Call ahead and ask which languages they can use on the day you visit.
- Bring proof of your health insurance.
- If the problem is not serious, start at a local clinic rather than a large hospital.
Japanese words you'll see
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 外国語対応 | gaikokugo taiō | Service in foreign languages. |
| 英語可 | eigo ka | English available. |
| 診療科 | shinryōka | Medical department, such as internal medicine. |
| 内科 | naika | Internal medicine. |
| 小児科 | shōnika | Pediatrics. |
| 予約 | yoyaku | Appointment. |
Questions families ask
Where can I search for a doctor who speaks English?
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) website lets you search for medical institutions that accept foreign patients, by area and language.
Is there a government list of hospitals for foreign patients?
Yes. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare publishes a list of medical institutions that accept foreign patients, compiled by each prefecture.
Does the hospital have forms in my language?
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare provides hospitals with multilingual forms, such as reception forms and medical questionnaires. Ask the reception desk whether they have one in your language.
Sources
This guide is based on information published by Japan's Immigration Services Agency, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Japan National Tourism Organization. Languages and hours change, so call the clinic or hospital before you go.
- Immigration Services Agency: Guidebook on Living and Working, 7th edition, March 2025
- Japan National Tourism Organization: Guide to medical institutions for foreign patients
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: List of medical institutions that accept foreign patients (外国人患者を受け入れる医療機関の情報を取りまとめたリスト)
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Multilingual explanatory materials for foreign patients (外国人向け多言語説明資料)
Practice explaining your symptoms in Japanese Talk: Medical Consultation.