Main facilities & practitioners expat guide
There are dozens of public (government-operated) and private hospitals (some of which require referral to access) across the city with countless clinics serving general or specific medical needs. Many expats tend to visit English-speaking clinics for check-ups and treatment for minor illness, but in the event of an emergency, an ambulance should be called by dialing 119. While you can request that the ambulance crew take you to a specific hospital. You should keep in mind that hospitals seeing too many patients at one time may require you to go to another hospital instead.
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Hospitals
Aiiku Hospital (http://www.aiiku.net) is located at 5-6-8 Minami Azabu, Shibuya-ku, and is popular with expectant expat mothers as the hospital is well-equipped to manage pre- and post-natal needs. Aside from its obstetrics and gynecology department, the hospital also has a neonatal intensive care unit, a pediatrics team, pediatric surgical facilities, and other departments.
Japan Red Cross Medical Center (http://www.med.jrc.or.jp/) is located at 4-1-22 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku and has a well-known emergency team that has English-speaking staff. Aside from the hospital’s emergency department the hospital also offers a variety of other medical services including access to allergists, cardiologists, dermatologists, gynecologists, neurologists, orthopedists, ophthalmologists, pediatricians, radiologists, rehab specialists, and urologists among others.
St. Luke’s International Hospital (http://www.luke.or.jp/) is located at 9-1 Akashi-cho, Tsukiji, and is one of the most sought-after hospitals for expats living in Japan as many of the staff have at least a basic command of English. This modern hospital provides a vast array of medical services including cardiology, gynecology, neurology, oncology, urology, and many other fields.
Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital (http://www.byouin.metro.tokyo.jp/) is located at 2-34-10 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku and provides patients with access to nearly 100 physicians, some of which can communicate in English. Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital’s departments include: Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Cardiology, Neuro-Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Rehabilitation, Neurosurgery, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Dermatology, Urology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Radiology, Anesthesiology and Dentistry, and Oral Surgery.
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General Practitioners
Endo Clinic, located at 2-24-13 Kami-osaki, Shinagawa-ku, is run by Dr. Norio Endo, an English speaking doctor who interned with the U.S. Air Force Hospital in Tachikawa; was an intern, resident, and fellow of the University of Michigan; and is a United Nations Examining Physician. Dr. Endo provides a whole host of family care services and also specializes in pediatrics and geriatrics.
King Clinic (http://www.thekingclinic.com) is located at 6-31-21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, and has been serving the international community for more than half a century, first with the clinic’s founder, and now today with the founder’s son, Leo King, M.D. Dr. King and his staff provide a variety of general health consultation services in English or Japanese.
Tokyo British Clinic (http://www.tokyobritishclinic.com) is located at 2-13-7 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku where Dr. Gabriel Symonds, a family care physician, has been serving the international community since 1984. Dr. Symonds is one of the few foreign doctors licensed to practice medicine in Japan.
Tokyo Medical & Surgical Clinic (http://www.tmsc.jp) is located at 3-4-30 Shiba-koen, Minato-ku, and their 8 staff physicians along with a variety of specialists provides the foreign community with a variety of general and specialist health care services. The clinic’s team can speak a variety of languages including English, Japanese, French, German, and Spanish.
Tokyo Midtown Medical Center (http://www.tokyomidtown-mc.jp) is located in midtown Roppongi and the medical center is part of the recently developed Midtown complex. The medical center is Japan’s first affiliation with John Hopkins Medicine International, the premier medical institution in the U.S. The clinic’s five staff physicians provide a variety of medical services including cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, and sports orthopedics.
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Dental Care
Sophia Orthodontic Clinic (http://www.sophia-ortho.com) is located at Roppongi Shimada Bldg. 2nd Floor, 4-8-7 Roppongi, Minato-ku, and they have several domestic and internationally trained dentists and orthodontists on staff.
Tokyo Clinic Dental Office (http://www2.gol.com/) is located at No. 32 Shibakoen Bldg., 3-4-30 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku and has four English speaking dentists on staff, including specialists in gum disease.
United Dental Office (http://www.uniteddentaloffice.com) is located at 2-3-8-1F Azabudai, Minato-ku. Dr. Enatsu, a dentist, dental surgeon, and specialist in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, is arguably the most sought out dentist in the city by the foreign community.
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Opticians
Paris Miki (http://www.paris-miki.co.jp) is located at 2-4-2 Nihonbashi-muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0022
Tokyo Optical Co., Ltd. (http://www.tokyomegane.co.jp) is located at 1-20-11 Wakabayashi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-8503
Washin Optical, Ginza Main Store (http://www.washin-optical.co.jp) is located at 8-9-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
For additional listings, visit the following searchable database (by location or train station): http://www.himawari.metro.tokyo.jp/. The Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Center (Tel: 03-5285-8181) is open daily between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. and provides English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Spanish speakers with information about medical institutions that can provide care in a foreign language. The service also provides details on the medical system in Japan including details on the health insurance system, if needed.
