How to Handle Medical Emergencies in Japan Without Panicking

Getting sick in Japan can be overwhelming. Knowing what to do in advance is key.

Getting sick while traveling is truly the worst.
But it's even more daunting if you get sick in Japan. You might not speak the language, the system is different, and you might not know how to handle insurance claims.

Last year, I was on a trip to Tokyo and suddenly developed a high fever of 39 degrees Celsius.
The hotel staff told me to "go to a nearby hospital," but I had no idea where to go or how my insurance would apply.
In the end, I just bought some fever reducers at a pharmacy and stayed in my hotel for two days.

Looking back, if I had just gone to a hospital then, I probably would have recovered in
a day.Japanese medical care can be expensive, but the system is well-established, and there are more hospitals with Korean-speaking staff than you might think.

So, in this article, I've compiled only the truly essential information for when you get sick while traveling: emergency contacts, how to find a
hospital, how to find Korean-speaking hospitals, and how to file an insurance claim.

📑 Table of Contents

1. Essential Emergency Contacts to Know First
2. Action Flowchart by Situation
3. Types of Japanese Hospitals and Consultation Hours
4. How to Find Korean/English Speaking Hospitals
5. Japanese Hospital Consultation Process
6. How Much Will Medical Bills Be?
7. How to Claim Travel Insurance
8. Japanese Phrases for Symptoms
9. Things to Prepare Before Departure

🚨 Essential Emergency Contacts to Know First

Save these numbers to your phone before you depart. You
might never use them, but if you do, they could be a lifesaver.

💡 How to Get Korean Interpretation for 119

When you call 119, they will answer in Japanese. Don't panic, just say "Korean please" or "Kankokugo (韓国語)".
A Korean interpreter will be connected within 1-2 minutes. This service is 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and free.
Do not hang up until the interpreter is connected.

💡 Consular Call Center vs. 119: What's the Difference?

• 119 → True emergency (when you need an ambulance)
• Consular Call Center → Non-emergency (hospital recommendations, interpretation assistance, etc.)
• Emergency Medical Consultation for Overseas Koreans → If you want to consult with a Korean doctor about your symptoms

I once received emergency medical consultation via the 119 KakaoTalk channel in Korea.
If you ask, "Should I go to the hospital with these symptoms?" a Korean doctor will kindly answer.

🩺 Action Flowchart by Situation

Where you should go depends on your symptoms. Going to a large hospital without reason can be very expensive.

🟢 Mild Symptoms (Cold, Indigestion, Mild Headache)

→ → Buy medicine at a drugstore
→ Look for stores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi or Welcia that have pharmacists on staff
→ Many stores have Korean menus

🟡 Moderate Symptoms (Persistent Fever, Abdominal Pain, Sore Throat, Minor Injury)

→ → Visit a clinic (クリニック)
→ Small local clinics, similar to primary care clinics in Korea
→ Consultation fee approximately 3,000-7,000 yen
→ Walk-ins are usually accepted (some recommend phone reservations)

🟠 Severe Symptoms (High Fever, Severe Abdominal Pain, Fracture, Serious Injury)

→ General hospital (病院) emergency room
→ Outpatient clinics often only operate on weekday mornings
→ Consultation fee 5,000-15,000 yen
→ Many accept credit cards

🔴 Emergency Situation (Unconsciousness, Severe Bleeding, Difficulty Breathing, Serious Accident)

→ Immediately call 119 → Request an ambulance
→ Transportation is free
→ Korean interpretation can be requested
→ Don't hesitate, just call

💡 Most Common Mistake

The most common mistake travelers make is going to a large general hospital without reason.In Japan, if you
go to a general hospital without a referral from a clinic, an additional 5,000-7,000 yen will be charged for
special consultation.For mild symptoms, go to a clinic first.

🏥 Types of Japanese Hospitals and Consultation Hours

Japanese hospitals are classified a bit differently from those in Korea.

🔍 Memorizing Japanese Medical Departments

• 内科 (Naika) → Internal Medicine
• 外科 (Geka) → Surgery
• 小児科 (Shōnika) → Pediatrics
• 耳鼻科 (Jibika) → ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)
• 皮膚科 (Hifuka) → Dermatology
• 眼科 (Ganka) → Ophthalmology
• 歯科 (Shika) → Dentistry
• 整形外科 (Seikeigeka) → Orthopedics

Search Google Maps for "内科 + [neighborhood name]" to find nearby internal medicine clinics.

⏰ Consultation Hour Trap

Most Japanese clinics have a lunch break closure.They are usually closed from
12 PM to 2 PM or
1 PM to 4 PM.Many people make a wasted trip because they don't know this. Always check opening hours on Google Maps.

🇰🇷 How to Find Korean/English Speaking Hospitals

This is truly the key. Finding a hospital with Korean-speaking staff cuts the difficulty of consultation in half.

🥇 JNTO Medical Institution Search (Official)

The Japan National Tourism Organization operates a search system for medical institutions that cater to foreign patients.
- You can search for medical institutions that support Korean
- Filter by region and medical department
- Linked to a 24-hour multilingual call center

I felt so much more secure after learning about this. I recommend bookmarking it in advance.

🥈 Korean Consulate Recommended Hospital List

Each consulate announces a list of hospitals with Korean-speaking staff.
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan (Tokyo)
- Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Osaka (Kansai)
- Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Sapporo (Hokkaido)
- Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Fukuoka (Kyushu)

Go to the consulate website for your travel region and search for "Korean-speaking hospitals."

🥉 Google Maps Search Tips

When you're in a hurry, finding it directly on Google Maps is faster.
- "Korean speaking clinic [city name]"
- "International clinic [city name]"
- "English speaking doctor [city name]"

It's even more reassuring if there are Korean reviews.

💡 Asking the Hotel Concierge is Surprisingly the Answer

Especially 4-star hotels and above often have a separate list of hospitals with Korean/English-speaking staff.Ask
the front desk, "I need a hospital" or "a place with a Korean-speaking doctor," and they will recommend one.The hotel can also
call a taxi for you.

📋 Japanese Hospital Consultation Process

It can be really overwhelming the first time. Knowing the flow in advance makes it much easier.

Step 1. Registration (受付)

• Go to the 受付 (uketsuke) desk upon entering
• Present your passport (for foreign identity verification)
• Fill out a medical questionnaire (問診票) → Request an English or Korean version

Step 2. Filling out the Medical Questionnaire

These are the items you'll write on the questionnaire. Preparing your answers in advance will speed things up.
- Where does it hurt?
- When did the pain start?
- Pain level (1-10)
- Existing conditions/medications
- Drug allergies

Step 3. Waiting and Consultation

• Wait in the waiting room until your name is called
• You will be guided to the consultation room
• The doctor will check your symptoms and examine you
• Blood tests, X-rays, etc., if necessary

Step 4. Prescription and Payment

• Receive your prescription
• Pay the consultation fee at the payment counter
• Credit cards are only accepted at large hospitals. Clinics usually prefer cash.
• Always keep your receipt and medical statement (for insurance claims)

Step 5. Getting Medicine at the Pharmacy

• Japan has a separate system for consultation and medicine
• Take your prescription to a nearby pharmacy (調剤薬局)
• Pay for the medicine separately
• The pharmacist will explain how to take the medicine (use a translation app if you don't understand)

The first time, I paid only the consultation fee and left without getting medicine, only realizing it after I got back to the hotel.
Don't forget to always go to a pharmacy after receiving a prescription.

💰 How Much Will Medical Bills Be?

Japanese medical care is expensive because Korean national health insurance does not apply.
It's important to know the price range as you'll be paying the full amount yourself.

💡 Cost-Saving Tips

• Travel insurance is essential. This makes a huge difference.
• Some insurance policies allow for cashless treatment (non-cash payment) by contacting the insurer's hotline locally.
• If cashless is not possible, pay yourself first → claim after returning home.
• Always keep receipts, diagnoses, and prescriptions.

💡 Credit Card Acceptance

• General hospitals → Most accept credit cards
• Clinics → Many only accept cash
• Emergency rooms → Primarily cash

It's safer to carry about 50,000 yen in cash before going to the hospital.

📝 How to Claim Travel Insurance

If you handle this well, you can get almost all your medical expenses reimbursed.

🎫 Preparation Before Departure

• Purchase travel insurance (10,000-20,000 won in Korea is usually sufficient)
• Check for free travel insurance with your credit card (sometimes automatically included if you paid for your flight with the card)
• Save your insurance policy PDF to your phone
• Save the insurer's 24-hour hotline number

🏥 In Japan

1. Contact your insurer's hotline before consultation → Check if cashless (local non-payment) is possible.
2. If cashless is possible → The insurer pays the hospital directly.
3. If cashless is not possible → Pay yourself first, then claim after returning home.
4. Gather necessary documents.

📋 Required Documents for Claim

• Receipt (original)
• Diagnosis
• Prescription
• Medicine receipt
• Insurance claim form (insurer's format)
• Passport copy (for entry/exit stamp verification)

⏰ Claim Period

Most insurers require claims to be submitted within 2-3 months after returning home.Don't
delay; file your claim as soon as you get back.

I received full reimbursement for my Tokyo medical expenses through my credit card's automatically included travel insurance.Most card
companies like Hyundai Card and Samsung Card automatically include it when you pay for flights with their cards. Check yours.

🗣️ Japanese Phrases for Symptoms

Even if you don't speak Japanese, knowing these few phrases can help you get treatment.
Combined with a translation app, it's almost perfect.

🤒 Commonly Used Phrases

• 熱があります (Netsu ga arimasu) → I have a fever.
• 頭が痛いです (Atama ga itai desu) → My head hurts.
• お腹が痛いです (Onaka ga itai desu) → My stomach hurts.
• 吐き気がします (Hakike ga shimasu) → I feel nauseous.
• 下痢です (Geri desu) → I have diarrhea.
• 喉が痛いです (Nodo ga itai desu) → My throat hurts.
• 咳が出ます (Seki ga demasu) → I have a cough.
• めまいがします (Memai ga shimasu) → I feel dizzy.

💊 Allergies/Pre-existing Conditions

• 〜にアレルギーがあります (~ni arerugī ga arimasu) → I am allergic to ~.
• 薬を飲んでいます (Kusuri o nondeimasu) → I am taking medicine.
• 妊娠しています (Ninshin shiteimasu) → I am pregnant.

🚨 Emergency Phrases

• 救急車を呼んでください (Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai) → Please call an ambulance.
• 病院に行きたいです (Byōin ni ikitai desu) → I want to go to the hospital.
• 韓国語通訳をお願いします (Kankokugo tsūyaku o onegaishimasu) → Please provide a Korean interpreter.

📱 Recommended Translation Apps

• Papago → Best for Korean-Japanese translation
• Google Translate → Camera translation (good for reading medicine labels)
• DeepL → Natural sentence translation

It's fastest to write down your symptoms in Korean beforehand, translate them, and show them to the staff.

📋 Things to Prepare Before Departure

Preparing these in advance will prevent regrets if a serious situation arises.

✅ Purchase travel insurance (or confirm automatic credit card coverage)
✅ Save insurance policy PDF to your phone
✅ Save insurer's 24-hour hotline number
✅ Save 119 and Consular Call Center numbers
✅ English prescription for your medications (for chronic illness sufferers)
✅ English memo of allergy information
✅ Emergency medicine (fever reducer, painkiller, anti-diarrhea)
✅ About 50,000 yen in cash (for hospital expenses)
✅ Download Papago and Google Translate apps
✅ Bookmark the JNTO medical institution search page

I felt truly at ease after preparing all of these.
You might never use them, but if you do, they could be a lifesaver.

📚 More Detailed Official Information

For those who want to know more about handling emergency situations, here are official sources:

• Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) - Guide for when you feel unwell
• Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Osaka - How to use 119 ambulance

Both sites provide detailed information in Korean. I highly recommend reviewing them before you depart.

💭 In Summary

Getting sick during a trip to Japan is something anyone can experience.
If you prepare in advance, there's no need to panic.

• Emergency → 119 (Korean interpretation available)
• Non-emergency consultation → Start with a clinic (クリニック)
• Korean-speaking hospital → Search on JNTO or consulate websites
• Insurance claim → Always keep receipts and diagnoses

Invest just 5 minutes before your trip to check this list.
Those 5 minutes can make a huge difference in a critical moment.

I hope you have a healthy trip. But just in case, review this article one more time before you go.