OFW Resource Hub

Going to a hospital in Japan can feel intimidating, especially kung first time mo and you're not confident speaking Japanese.

The good news? A little preparation can make the experience much easier.

Whether you're going for a regular consultation, follow-up appointment, examination, or treatment, knowing what documents and information to bring can save you time and avoid unnecessary stress.

1. Bring Your My Number Card or Health Insurance Information

One of the most important things to prepare is your health insurance information.

Japan has been transitioning away from the traditional health insurance card system. Since December 2, 2025, the old health insurance cards can no longer be used as proof of eligibility at medical institutions. Depending on your situation, you may use :

マイナ保険証（Maina Hokenshō）

A My Number Card registered for use as a health insurance card

or

資格確認書（Shikaku Kakuninsho）

Eligibility Confirmation Certificate

These allow the hospital or clinic to confirm your health insurance eligibility.

Tip : Before visiting, check which documents your medical facility accepts and make sure your My Number Card's health-insurance function is properly set up if you plan to use it.

2. Bring Your My Number Card

If you're using マイナ保険証, bring your physical My Number Card.

At participating hospitals and clinics, you'll normally use a card reader at reception to verify your insurance eligibility.

Follow the instructions displayed on the machine or ask the reception staff if you're unsure.

You can say :

すみません、使い方を教えてください。

Sumimasen, tsukaikata o oshiete kudasai.

“Excuse me, could you show me how to use this?”

3. Bring Your Residence Card

It's also a good idea for foreign residents to carry their :

在留カード（Zairyū Kādo）

Residence Card

You normally carry this anyway if you're subject to Japan's residence-card carrying requirement.

Having identification available can also be useful if the hospital needs to verify personal information.

4. Bring Your Hospital or Patient Card

If you've visited the same hospital before, bring your :

診察券（Shinsatsuken）

Patient registration card

Many Japanese hospitals and clinics issue one after your first visit.

It may contain :

• Patient number

• Hospital information

• Your name

At follow-up visits, you may be asked for your shinsatsuken at reception or use it with a reception machine.

Don't throw it away after your first appointment.

5. Bring Your Appointment Information

If you already have an appointment, bring or save :

• Appointment slip

• Confirmation email

• Hospital app information

• Referral details

• Date and time of appointment

• Department you're visiting

Japanese hospitals can have many departments, such as :

• 内科（Naika） – Internal medicine

• 外科（Geka） – Surgery

• 皮膚科（Hifuka） – Dermatology

• 眼科（Ganka） – Ophthalmology

• 整形外科（Seikei Geka） – Orthopedics

• 産婦人科（Sanfujinka） – Obstetrics and gynecology

Knowing which department you're supposed to visit can save a lot of wandering around a large hospital.

6. Bring a Referral Letter If You Have One

If another clinic or doctor referred you to a larger hospital, bring your :

紹介状（Shōkaijō）

Referral letter

This document usually contains information about your condition, previous examinations, and the reason for referral.

For certain large hospitals, visiting without a referral when one is expected can also result in an additional charge under Japan's system for promoting appropriate use of large hospitals.

So if you've been given a referral letter :

Don't leave it at home.

7. Bring Your Medication Notebook

This little notebook can be extremely useful :

お薬手帳（Okusuri Techō）

Medication notebook

It keeps a record of medicines prescribed to you.

Bring it whenever you visit :

• Hospitals

• Clinics

• Pharmacies

It can help healthcare professionals check your current medications and reduce the risk of inappropriate combinations or duplicate prescriptions.

If you use a compatible electronic medication record instead, have that information available.

8. Make a List of Your Current Medicines

Even if you don't have an Okusuri Techō, prepare a list of everything you're currently taking.

Include :

• Prescription medicines

• Over-the-counter medicines

• Vitamins

• Supplements

If possible, write down :

Medicine name + dosage + how often you take it

If the medicine came from the Philippines, bring the packaging, prescription, or a clear photo showing the medicine's name and strength.

Don't just tell the doctor :

“Yung maliit na white tablet po.”

There are quite a few of those.

9. Prepare Information About Your Symptoms

Before your appointment, write down :

What hurts?

When did it start?

How often does it happen?

How severe is it?

What makes it better or worse?

Do you have other symptoms?

For example :

“Fever started Monday night. Highest temperature was 38.5°C. I also have a cough and sore throat.”

This is much more useful than :

“Masama po pakiramdam ko.”

Specific information helps the medical staff understand what's happening.

10. Bring Information About Allergies

If you have known allergies, make sure the doctor knows.

Especially :

• Medication allergies

• Food allergies

• Latex allergies

• Previous serious reactions

Useful Japanese :

アレルギーがあります。

Arerugī ga arimasu.

“I have an allergy.”

If you know the specific medicine or substance, write its name down.

11. Prepare Your Medical History

You may be asked about :

• Previous illnesses

• Operations

• Hospitalizations

• Current medical conditions

• Family medical history

• Previous treatments

This information is often included in the :

問診票（Monshinhyō）

Medical questionnaire

First-time patients commonly complete one before seeing the doctor.

If your Japanese is limited, having your medical information written down beforehand can make completing the form much easier.

12. Bring Your Glasses or Hearing Aid If Needed

If you normally use :

• Glasses

• Hearing aids

bring them.

You may need to :

• Read forms

• Follow instructions

• See examination charts

• Communicate clearly with medical staff

If you're visiting an eye clinic, bring your current glasses and relevant prescription information if available.

13. Bring Some Money or Another Accepted Payment Method

Medical treatment under Japan's public health insurance usually involves paying a portion of the medical costs yourself.

For many working-age insured adults, the standard patient share is generally 30%, although the percentage can differ depending on factors such as age and income.

Bring :

Cash

and/or

An accepted cashless payment method

Not every clinic accepts every credit card or electronic payment service.

If you're unsure, check the hospital's website beforehand.

14. Bring Any Medical Certificates or Test Results

If you have relevant documents from another hospital or clinic, bring them.

Examples :

• Blood-test results

• X-ray information

• Health-check results

• Medical certificates

• Previous diagnosis information

• Referral documents

These may help your new doctor understand your medical history and avoid unnecessary repetition of tests.

15. What If Your Medical Documents Are From the Philippines?

Bring them if they're relevant.

If possible, prepare an English or Japanese version of important information, particularly :

• Diagnoses

• Previous operations

• Medication names

• Allergies

• Major test results

Don't assume the Japanese hospital will automatically have access to your Philippine medical records.

16. What If You Can't Speak Japanese Well?

Before visiting, check whether the hospital offers :

• English-speaking staff

• Medical interpreters

• Telephone interpretation

• Multilingual support

You can also prepare important information on your phone or paper.

Useful phrase : 

日本語があまり話せません。

Nihongo ga amari hanasemasen.

“I don't speak much Japanese.”

Or:

英語で対応できますか？

Eigo de taiō dekimasu ka?

“Can you assist me in English?”

Translation apps can help with simple communication, but important medical decisions should be communicated as clearly and accurately as possible.

17. Arrive Early

If it's your first visit, don't arrive exactly at your appointment time.

You may need to :

• Register

• Verify insurance

• Complete a questionnaire

• Submit documents

• Find the correct department

Large hospitals can be confusing even for Japanese patients.

Give yourself extra time.

18. Wear Practical Clothing

Depending on the examination, you may need to :

• Roll up your sleeve

• Have your blood pressure checked

• Have blood drawn

• Undergo an X-ray

• Change clothes

Wear something comfortable and easy to remove or adjust.

If you know you're having a specific examination, follow any clothing instructions provided by the hospital.

19. Follow Instructions About Eating and Drinking

Some examinations require fasting.

For example, the hospital may tell you :

食事をしないでください。

Shokuji o shinaide kudasai.

“Please don't eat.”

If you've been instructed to fast, follow the hospital's directions about :

• Food

• Water

• Medication

• Alcohol

• Smoking

Don't decide to fast on your own unless instructed. Requirements depend on the examination.

20. Know Where to Go: Clinic, Hospital, or Emergency?

Not every health problem requires a large hospital.

For ordinary non-emergency symptoms, a local :

クリニック（Kurinikku） – Clinic

may be an appropriate first stop.

For a serious or life-threatening emergency in Japan, call : 119

This is the emergency number for an ambulance and fire services.

Don't delay emergency care because you're worried about your Japanese ability or don't know which clinic to visit.

Useful Japanese Words

病院（Byōin） – Hospital

クリニック（Kurinikku） – Clinic

受付（Uketsuke） – Reception

診察（Shinsatsu） – Medical examination/consultation

診察券（Shinsatsuken） – Patient card

紹介状（Shōkaijō） – Referral letter

お薬手帳（Okusuri Techō） – Medication notebook

問診票（Monshinhyō） – Medical questionnaire

処方箋（Shohōsen） – Prescription

薬局（Yakkyoku） – Pharmacy

保険（Hoken） – Insurance

マイナ保険証（Maina Hokenshō） – My Number Card used as a health insurance card

資格確認書（Shikaku Kakuninsho） – Eligibility Confirmation Certificate

救急車（Kyūkyūsha） – Ambulance

Hospital Visit Checklist for OFWs

Before leaving home, check :

• My Number Card registered for health insurance use, or applicable Eligibility Confirmation Certificate

• Residence Card

• Patient card / Shinsatsuken

• Appointment information

• Referral letter, if applicable

• Medication notebook / Okusuri Techō

• Current medication list

• Allergy information

• Notes about your symptoms

• Relevant medical history

• Previous test results or medical documents

• Glasses/hearing aid if needed

• Cash or accepted payment method

• Phone and charger/power bank

• Translation or language-support information if needed

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

If you're nervous about visiting a Japanese hospital because of the language barrier, prepare a short note before leaving home.

Write :

1. What you're feeling

2. When it started

3. Medicines you're taking

4. Allergies

5. Previous medical conditions

You can even prepare the information in English and Japanese using reliable translation support.

The goal isn't perfect Japanese.

The goal is making sure the doctor receives clear and accurate information about your health.

And one more tip: keep your お薬手帳 (Okusuri Techō) together with your important medical documents. You'll be much less likely to forget it during your next appointment.

Going to a hospital in Japan becomes much easier when you're prepared.

For most visits, remember the essentials :

Insurance eligibility information + identification + patient card + medication information + appointment/referral documents + payment method.

If you're visiting for the first time, arrive early and prepare information about your symptoms, medicines, allergies, and medical history.

Most importantly, don't let embarrassment about your Japanese stop you from seeking medical attention when you need it.

For a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 119 for an ambulance.

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga OFW sa Japan hindi lamang sa remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical information tungkol sa healthcare, Japanese systems, safety, at everyday life para mas maging informed, prepared, at confident habang naninirahan sa Japan.

Note : This article is intended for general information only. Regulations and procedures in Japan and the Philippines may change. Please verify the latest information with the appropriate government agency or official institution before taking action.