Daily Life Lessons · Hospitals
Be able to see a doctor on your own for the first time when you need to.
When you go to a hospital or clinic for the first time, bring your My Number health insurance card (マイナ保険証: a My Number Card registered for use as a health insurance card) or your eligibility certificate (資格確認書), and tell the reception desk that this is your first visit. The old health insurance cards have expired and, as a rule, can no longer be used. Fill in the medical questionnaire (問診票) with your symptoms and past illnesses, and see the doctor when your name is called. After the examination, pay the bill. If you receive a prescription (処方箋), take it to a pharmacy to get your medicine. At large hospitals, you may be charged an extra fee (選定療養費) if you do not have a referral letter (紹介状).
病気のとき、病院に 行きます。
1. マイナ保険証（ほけんしょう）か 資格確認書（しかくかくにんしょ）を 持っていきます。 2. 受付（うけつけ）で 「初めてです」と 言います。 3. 問診票（もんしんひょう）を 書きます。 4. 名前を 呼ばれたら、診察室に 入ります。 5. 会計をして、薬局で 薬を もらいます。
前の 紙や カードの 保険証は、もう 使えません。
What should you bring to the hospital?
When your health insurance coverage can be confirmed, the amount you pay at the counter is, as a rule, 30% (10% to 30% depending on age and other factors). The old health insurance cards can no longer be used.
What do you say first at the reception desk?
Tell them it is your first visit.
Where do you get your medicine?
Take your prescription to a pharmacy.
What happens if you go to a large hospital without a referral letter?
At some large hospitals, such as advanced treatment hospitals (特定機能病院), a first visit without a referral letter may cost an extra fee (7,000 yen or more).
What can you do if you cannot explain your symptoms?
There are multilingual medical questionnaires and medical interpreting services.
Q. I don't have health insurance.
A. You can still see a doctor without insurance, but you must pay all medical costs yourself. If you will live in Japan for more than 3 months and are not covered by health insurance through your workplace, join National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) at your city, ward, town, or village office (if you join late, you may have to pay premiums for the past period). Short-term visitors such as tourists cannot join National Health Insurance, so please get travel insurance.
Q. Which department should I go to?
A. If you are not sure, go to internal medicine (内科) or general medicine (総合診療科).
Q. What about nights and holidays?
A. You can use local holiday and night emergency clinics. If you are unsure whether to call an ambulance, in areas where the service is available you can call #7119 (Emergency Consultation Center) for advice. In a life-threatening situation, call 119.
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Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original