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You are on vacation, but instead of enjoying your well-deserved holidays, you suddenly have a toothache, you get sick - or you even get into an accident! There is hardly a more unpleasant situation! To make sure you are at least prepared if the worst should happen, we have put together this blog post. The following information will hopefully ensure that you can face all situations with at least a certain amount of prior knowledge.
We have gone to great lengths to cover all aspects and situations. However, we are of course not experts and (unfortunately) not on site in Japan. Therefore, numbers and data can of course change without our knowledge. Therefore, we strongly advise you to check the necessary information again on site in case of emergency!
By the way, if you are missing information or discover an error, we would be very happy if you mention it in the comments - this way you also help other readers!
For emergencies!
If you or someone near you has an accident, is seriously ill or there is another emergency, get help immediately! The phone number for ambulance and fire department is 119 and for the police 110 (as in Germany).
So you can see what an ambulance looks like in Japan, I've uploaded a drawing for you here.
This is what an ambulance looks like in Japan:
Ambulance / Fire Department: 119 Police: 110
Yes! If you call the switchboard, you will reach English-speaking staff. But beware: please speak very slowly , even and especially if it is a very stressful situation. On the one hand, we tend to speak quickly and incomprehensibly in stressful situations anyway. On the other hand, most Japanese people are not very good at English. Combined with the accent you might have, it might be difficult to understand you.
Tip: The 5 Ws also work in Japan!
- Where did the event happen?
- Who is calling?
- What happened?
- How many people affected?
- Wait for further questions!
Websites that can help you
We have tried to make this post as comprehensive as possible. However, unfortunately, we cannot include all the information that you might need. That's why I've created a list of pages here. Many of them are only available in English. I have drawn a lot of information from these pages. However, I would still advise you to talk to a doctor, if your English is good enough!
Japan the Offical Guide - Search Medical Institutions
https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html
This website is run by the official Japan National Tourism Organisation. Here you can search for doctors and hospitals in your area, find out which doctor you should see for which complaints and also how the admission process works in hospitals.
Japan Healthcare Info
On the Japan Healthcare Info page, you can organize a translator to assist you with making appointments at the hospital and also during the examination itself. But you will also find information about which doctors you need to make an appointment with at all. You can also have receipts for your insurance translated from Japanese to English here.
Foreign Health Insurance ADAC
ADAC foreign health insurance covers all costs incurred if you become ill abroad. You will find all information and conditions on this page.
Useful words / phrases
If you are moving around in tourist areas, you will probably be able to communicate quite well in English. However, if you are in the countryside or in smaller villages and perhaps don't have internet access, this little language guide will surely help you.
In general, by the way: Try English or use Google Translate!
Words you might need
| German | Japanese | Japanese characters |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital | Byōin | 病院 or びょういん |
| Clinic (doctors, not hospital) | Kurinikku | クリニック |
| Allergy | Arerugī | アレルギー |
| Ambulance | Kyūkyūsha | 救急車 |
| Police | Keisatsu | 警察 |
| Medicine / Medication | Kusuri | 薬 |
| Pain reliever | Itamidome | 痛み止め |
| Today | Kyō | 今日 |
| Tomorrow | Ashita | 明日 |
| Monday | Getsuyōbi | 月 (曜日 = Yōbi = day) |
| Tuesday | Kayōbi | 火 (曜日 = Yōbi = day) |
| Wednesday | Suiyōbi | 水 (曜日 = Yōbi = day) |
| Thursday | Mokuyōbi | 木 (曜日 = Yōbi = day) |
| Friday | Kin'yōbi | 金 (曜日 = Yōbi = day) |
| Saturday | Doyōbi | 土 (曜日 = Yōbi = day) |
| Sunday | Nichiyōbi | 日 (曜日 = Yōbi = day) |
| It hurts | Itai | 痛い |
Numbers
| Number | Japanese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 零／〇 (ゼロ) | zero |
| 1 | 一 | ichi |
| 2 | 二 | ni |
| 3 | 三 | san |
| 4 | 四 (よん) | yon |
| 5 | 五 | go |
| 6 | 六 | roku |
| 7 | 七 (なな) | nana |
| 8 | 八 | hachi |
| 9 | 九 | kyū |
| 10 | 十 | jū |
| 20 | 二十 | nijū |
| 100 | 百 | hyaku |
| 1.000 | 千 | sen |
| 10.000 | 万 | man |
Alternatives to German
| German | English / other words | Japanese |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Hai, Aru etc... |
| No | No | Īe, Dame etc... |
| Body parts | Point | Atama, Kao, Kubi, Mimi etc... |
| Here, There | Point | Koko, Soko |
Sentences you might need
| German | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Call an ambulance! | Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai! |
| Call the police! | Keisatsu o yonde kudasai! |
| Please an ambulance! | Kyūkyūsha o onegaishimasu |
| I have a stomachache | Onaka ga itai desu |
| I have a headache | Atama ga itai desu |
| I have a sore throat | Nodo ga itai desu |
| I have chest pains | Mune ga itai desu |
| I have leg pains | Ashi ga itai desu |
How much does a doctor's visit / a hospital stay cost?
Your regular health insurance unfortunately does not apply abroad. This means that in case of illness, you actually have to pay all expenses out of your own pocket. Doctor's visits are unfortunately relatively expensive. Fortunately, however, there are official regulations that regulate the prices so that patients don't have to pay extra. Nevertheless, more complex treatments such as operations or MRIs can become expensive and can total thousands of euros! That's why I strongly advise you to take out foreign health insurance. But check beforehand whether you are already covered! Many credit cards and, for example, the ADAC include insurance with membership that covers you in case of illness abroad.
It should be noted, however, that in most cases you have to pay for your treatment yourself first. Then you have to submit the doctor's bill to your insurance company. You will ultimately receive the paid fee back from the insurance company afterwards. I will go into more detail about this below.
Costs
| Treatment | Costs for tourists | Visa (health insurance) -30% |
|---|---|---|
| Ambulance | ¥0 / 0€ | ¥0 / 0€ |
| Clinic / doctor's visit with referral | ~¥20.000 / 170€ | ~¥5.000-10.000 / 40-80€ |
| Hospital visit with referral | ~¥20.000-50.000 / 170-400€ | ~¥10.000-15.000 / 80-125€ |
| Hospital visit without referral (additional costs) | ¥2.000-5.000 / 17-400€ | ¥1.000-1.500 / 8-12€ |
| Cold (1st doctor's visit) | ¥3.000-6.000 / 25-50€ | ¥1.000-2.000 / 8-16€ |
| Cold (2nd doctor's visit) | under ¥3.000 / 25€ | under ¥1.000 / 8€ |
Foreign health insurance
For me, this is an absolute must! What if something happens to you on vacation and you have to have surgery? Maybe you think you can fly back home for that. But what if that's not possible and you can't fly in your condition? Then you can expect very high costs that you have to pay 100% yourself. If it is a more complicated situation, the costs quickly add up to several thousand euros! That's why I would never travel anywhere without health insurance today!
Unfortunately, I have already had a lot of experience with hospitals :/. That's why I would never travel anywhere without health insurance today!
Credit cards
I personally use the "Miles and More Gold" credit card. With this I get health insurance for a stay abroad of up to 90 days. The condition "insurer is liable for an unlimited amount" is extremely practical. Specifically, this means that I have no deductible in case of illness. Also, the return transport to Germany is included in this health insurance.
ADAC
ADAC members can also take out foreign health insurance for a small surcharge on their membership fee. There are three different packages - outpatient and inpatient treatment are included in every case, as well as dental treatment and medical repatriation.
Here you will find more details about ADAC health insurance.
Hansemerkur
Hansemerkur also offers a travel insurance for around 1.50 euros/day. This can be taken out online very easily for the duration of your trip. If you return home earlier, you can even cancel it.
How do I get my money back from travel insurance?
After you have paid for your treatment out of your own pocket, you will receive a receipt. You must keep this and then submit it to the insurance company along with a claim notification. Inform the insurance company about all treatments carried out (as shown on the receipt) so that all costs are reimbursed. In most cases, you can either fill out the claim notification online or submit it by email. How exactly this process works differs from insurance company to insurance company. If all the necessary information is available, all treatment costs are usually reimbursed.
Make sure that the receipt you receive from the treating doctor contains all the necessary information. The receipt must show the name and address of the doctor as well as your own address and the name for the insurance; in addition, all treatments, medications and aids. If this is not the case, it may happen that your foreign health insurance will refuse to pay for the treatment costs. Also pay attention to whether there are maximum limits or treatments that are excluded in the insurance terms and conditions. Important: Travel health insurance usually covers all treatments that are immediately necessary. So if you want to have a routine check-up abroad, you have to pay for it yourself.
My receipt is in Japanese - what now?
It may happen that you receive a Japanese receipt. Unfortunately, your insurance company cannot do anything with this. First ask if your treating doctor can perhaps also fill out the receipt in English. If that's not possible, you may have to have it translated yourself. Ask your insurance company if this is actually necessary and also whether the translation has to be done by a sworn translator or interpreter. Medical receipts can be translated, for example, here or here have translated. Attention: Of course, additional costs arise from the translation, which usually do not pay off for smaller invoice amounts. So consider in advance how much money you would actually get back before you have your receipt translated.
Where do I buy medicine in Japan?
You can get medicine in Japan in Drug Stores. These are almost as common as convenience stores!
What exactly are Japanese Drug Stores?
Japanese Drug Stores are very different from German pharmacies. They are much more reminiscent of large drugstores. You can buy a lot of different products in Drug Stores – the range varies depending on the size of the store. Among other things, you can find medicines, cosmetics, hygiene items and cleaning articles in Drug Stores, but also snacks and drinks. The range is usually very large, and there are often good deals on products. But even without special discounts, prices in Drug Stores are quite cheap. You can wander freely through the drugstore – so there is no service. If you need help, you can always ask free staff.
Drug Stores are found in large numbers in every larger city. There are some chains that have countless branches. Most stores score points with long opening hours and are a popular destination for both locals and tourists for quick purchases. There is an additional plus for tourists: If you show your passport, you can usually shop tax-free!
Daikoku Drug
This chain scores points with extremely low prices for cosmetics and medicines. There are also special discounts on certain days. You can find Daikoku Drug branches all over Japan.
Matsumoto Kiyoshi
This is the largest Drug Store franchise in Japan. The chain scores points with a very good product selection – you often find brands here that other stores don't have. The branches are also open 24 hours a day. Caution: prices are slightly higher than in other drugstores.
Don Quiote
This drugstore chain has 300 branches. In addition to the typical products, there is also clothing, household goods and electrical goods. Special discounts and coupons can be printed directly in the store in machines. Don Quiote is also open 24 hours a day.
Sun Drug
Here there is primarily a very wide selection of cosmetics and skincare products. Prices are very cheap – on holidays there is often an additional 10% discount.
Kokumin
Here you can primarily find popular Japanese cosmetics, medicines and health foods. With your passport you get additional discounts as a tourist.
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