What to Do If You Get Sick in Japan

Getting sick in Japan isn’t ideal, but it happens. And finding help in a foreign language and culture can be tricky and intimidating. Today, I’m going to give you the information you need to handle being sick in Japan.

Wear a Mask When Sick in Japan

If you’ve got a simple cold, a stomach ache, or a slight fever, there may be no need to see a doctor. A day’s rest and some medicine you brought from home may be all you need.

Girls in Kimono Wearing Masks

When you need to head out to a store or restaurant for food, make sure you put on a mask. Wearing a mask when you’re sick is normal in Japan, and always has been. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s not uncommon to see people wearing masks in Japan. Especially on public transportation and inside confined places, such as taxis and small shops. Wearing a mask when you’re sick is seen as being considerate to the people around you.

Train Passengers Wearing Masks

No matter how light or severe your illness, wearing a mask in public will make the people around you feel more comfortable. And ironically enough, you’ll get fewer glaring stares with the mask on, than with it off.

Seeing a Doctor in Japan

English-speaking clinics are your best bet in Japan when you’re sick. Language barriers can lead to misunderstandings about symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment plans. It’s worth the extra effort, especially when you’re ill during your vacation.

Finding an English-Speaking Doctor

The Japan National Tourism Organization has a helpful website with useful information for finding medical help in Japan.

The Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients (JMIP) is an accreditation system that helps foreign visitors find medical care. JMIP accredited clinics and hospitals are set up to accept and treat international patients.

Japanese Doctor Wearing a Mask

Although not guaranteed, your hotel concierge may be of some assistance. You can also see if your travel health insurance provider can direct you to an affiliated medical facility that speaks English.

Once you’ve found a clinic or hospital, you can either try to call and book an appointment, or you can just show up. However, expect to wait if you go without scheduling an appointment.

Ailments in Japanese

Once you’re at the clinic or hospital, you’ll need to tell the doctor what’s bothering you. To help communicate your symptoms, here’s a list of some common ailments in Japanese.

• Food poisoning → Shoku chudoku
• Stomachache → Onaka ga itai
• Nauseous → Hakike
• Diarrhea → Geri
• Fever → Netsu
• Chills → Samuke
• Headache → Atama ga itai
• Sore Throat → Nodo ga itai
• Sore Chest → Mune ga itai
• Sore (point to the body part) → Koko ga itai
• Dizziness → Memai
• Trouble Breathing → Iki ga kurushii
• Injury → Kega
• Itchy → Kayui

What about an Injury or Severe Illness

In an emergency, dial 119. This number connects you to emergency services in Japan. The number is for both ambulance and fire, so you’ll need to specify that you need an ambulance.

Japanese Ambulance | PRiMENON, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ask for an ambulance in English in a slow, clear manner. Or you can ask in Japanese by saying, Kyukyusha wo onegai shimasu. This should then be followed by your location or address. If using English, remember to speak slowly and clearly.

Get Travel Insurance

Medical costs for major injuries and illnesses can be very high in Japan. Check with your medical insurance to see if they cover overseas treatment. If your current health insurance doesn’t cover medical costs in another country, you can get medical insurance for your trip from a travel insurance provider.

Final Thoughts

Getting sick happens. If you get sick in Japan, remember to wear a mask when you go out. It’s the norm in Japan.

If it’s something more serious, keep in mind that the Japanese healthcare system ranks among the world’s best and most affordable. Even if you don’t speak Japanese, the clinics and hospitals that are JMIP accredited will find a way to help you.