It is always difficult for a foreigner going to hospital by one's self.
However, unpredictable always happens...unpredictably (well as it is unpredictable…,)
you never know when you might need a doctor if you are catching a cold seriously, having fever and no friends nor relatives here can help you, all alone.

Here are some useful tips for getting a doctor in Aichi-ken!

Aichi Medical Information System

http://www.qq.pref.aichi.jp/es/qq/qq23egmp_lt.asp

If you would like to go to a doctor, but not really emergency, like, tomorrow, or in the afternoon should be fine. Then this system will be very helpful.

For checking the language you speak, and the area you are living at, a list of hospital will be shown.

One of the best part of the website is that it shows the language availability of the hospital.

1. 1. No verbal inconvenience.
   2. Daily conversation.
   3. Communicate by graph or simple words.

For example, the Sakae Central Nose and Throat Clinic shows at the first is capable for daily conversation.

However, as some clinic requires reservation, and sometime the English speaking staff might be away from the office, making a phone call in advance will be a better choice.

Visiting Hospital

Please bring your health insurance card when visiting the hospital/clinic, no matter it is a social health insurance or a national health insurance.

Before going to a large hospital, you might need to get a reference from a clinic or smaller hospital first.
For the amount charged for seeing doctor, it depends on what the doctor have done for you for the inspection, and what kind of medicine you got. There is also additional fee for first visitor (around 2,700 yen).

I also noticed that for going to a dental clinic, the dentist might not complete the whole treatment at the same day. E.g. I have been to a dental clinic once for tooth decay, but the dentist didn’t fill the decay when my first visit, but only clean it up and put a temporary cap on it and ask me to make next reservation for further treatment.

The 1 week waiting for the filling treatment was hard, but yeah I finally get it done without problem.
Also, please note that the concept of family doctor is still not very popular in Japan. It is very different from US.

Emergency Clinic

Most of the hospital and clinic are closed at night and during holidays, but for any emergency case, you can check the lists below for the hospitals opened.

1. http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/4733 (maps)
2. http://www.city.nagoya.jp/en/category/199-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html (with details)

Please visit during the reception time mentioned on the website. I have checked with the staff in city office, and it seems there is no English speaking staff there in the emergency clinics.

**Update** 13/8/2017

• ■ Below please find the very helpful website made by Nagoya Medical Association.
• 　http://www.nagoya.aichi.med.or.jp/e/kyukyu.html
• 　By clicking the colored blocks, emergency clinic/hospital information will be shown.

  ■ Another link, detailed maps of holidays/emergency clinics across Nagoya.
    http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/image/medical-care-maps/holiday_clinics_across_nagoya.pdf

•   

Medical Interpretations System

If you are going to a hospital but worried about not able to communicate with the doctor well, medical interpretations system is available to help.
The service, available in designated hospitals and clinics, provide professional medical interpretation on phone or at the hospital (additional fee will be charged.)
However, the service requires reservation and consultant as well.

or contact atinn!

Email us at nukumori@atinn.jp ,
or leave comments through "contact us" 
on the upper-right side to achieve more information!

Hope the above information helps!

Please note that the content is based on information in August 2017. Please contact us or check the website of the companies mentioned above for latest information.