Though the frequency is low you might need to make an emergency visit to a hospital at night or on weekends.
In Tokyo it is not easy to find a medical center that is open 24H/365 days. Instead, there are some local hospitals and clinics that are on duty under the rotation (Rota) system at night and on weekends. Check the website of your local medical association. For example, if you live in Shibuya-ku find Shibuya-ku Ishikai page (Shibuya-ku Medical Association) and search for the clinics/hospitals on duty. Many places are open until around 20:00. On weekends they may close earlier. Make sure you call the clinic/hospital you wish to visit before you go to see if they accept patients.
We can make a list of medical centers that is open in your area at night/on weekends in English. Send an inquiry to our email
at contact@japanhealthinfo.com. Other assistance is available on request.
In Tokyo it is not easy to find a medical center that is open 24H/365 days. Instead, there are some local hospitals and clinics that are on duty under the rotation (Rota) system at night and on weekends. Check the website of your local medical association. For example, if you live in Shibuya-ku find Shibuya-ku Ishikai page (Shibuya-ku Medical Association) and search for the clinics/hospitals on duty. Many places are open until around 20:00. On weekends they may close earlier. Make sure you call the clinic/hospital you wish to visit before you go to see if they accept patients.
We can make a list of medical centers that is open in your area at night/on weekends in English. Send an inquiry to our email
at contact@japanhealthinfo.com. Other assistance is available on request.
It is very important to call the clinic/hospital to see if they can accept you before you visit on weekends or at night. Due to the limited number of staff at night or weekends, it is not guaranteed that the clinic/hospital can treat a patient at the particular time you want to visit. In that case you will need to find another place to go. In particular, after midnight, public holidays, New Year and the Bon holidays there are a only few institutions available, so If you have a symptom before long holidays it is strongly recommended to see a doctor as early as you can.
Also, if a clinic/hospital you have been to as a patient before accepts after hour patients, call and ask if they can treat you. Because you are a returning patient they have your information on file, so you have more chance to be accepted.
Because the number of clinics/hospitals with foreign language speaking staff is very limited on weekends or at night, if you don't speak Japanese ask someone who can speak Japanese to call and possibly go to the clinic/hospital with you.
Bring your health insurance card and ID. Making payment at after hour or on holidays can be different to weekdays, so it is safer to bring more money than usual. Big hospitals usually have an ATM located in the building.
