Making a phone call in Japanese can feel intimidating, but most medical receptionists are used to helping foreign patients and will be patient with you. They deal with appointment bookings all day, so they’ll guide you through the process. Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, they’ll understand what you’re trying to do. The worst thing that can happen is you might need to repeat yourself or try again – and that’s okay!
Many clinics have at least one staff member who speaks some English, especially those you’ll be referred to from Kantan Health, so you might be pleasantly surprised.
Just speak slowly, have this script handy, and remember: they want to help you.
When they answer:
予約をお願いしたいのですが。
(Yoyaku wo onegai shitai no desu ga)
"I'd like to make an appointment"
英語を話せる方はいらっしゃいますか？
(Eigo wo hanaseru kata wa irasshaimasu ka?)
"Is there someone who speaks English?"
If they say yes to English:
英語で話してもいいですか？
(Eigo de hanashite mo ii desu ka?)
"May I speak in English?"
If they say no English available:
大丈夫です。続けます。
(Daijoubu desu. Tsuzukemasu.)
"That's okay. I'll continue [in Japanese]."
If they ask what it’s regarding:
Choose one:
健康診断 (kenkou shindan) - general checkup
風邪の症状 (kaze no shoujou) - cold symptoms
相談したいことがあります (soudan shitai koto ga arimasu) - I have something to consult about
When they ask about timing:
今週の平日は空いていますか？
(Konshuu no heijitsu wa aite imasu ka?)
"Are there any openings on weekdays this week?"
Or be more specific:
木曜日の午後はどうですか？
(Mokuyoubi no gogo wa dou desu ka?)
"How about Thursday afternoon?"
Confirming the appointment:
はい、それで大丈夫です。
(Hai, sore de daijoubu desu)
"Yes, that's fine"
念のため確認させてください。
(Nen no tame kakunin sasete kudasai)
"Let me confirm just to be sure"
Important phrases to know:
- 初診です (shoshin desu) – “It’s my first visit”
- 保険証を持っています (hokenshou wo motte imasu) – “I have insurance”
- 英語で診察を受けたいのですが (Eigo de shinsatsu wo uketai no desu ga) – “I’d like to receive consultation in English”
- 英語が話せる先生はいますか？ (Eigo ga hanaseru sensei wa imasu ka?) – “Is there a doctor who speaks English?”
Ending the call:
よろしくお願いします。失礼します。
(Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. Shitsurei shimasu)
"Thank you. Goodbye"
Helpful Tips:
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Have your calendar ready
- Write down the appointment details as they tell you
- If you don’t understand, say: もう一度お願いします (mou ichido onegai shimasu) – “Please say that again”
Days of the Week:
- 月曜日 (getsuyoubi) – Monday
- 火曜日 (kayoubi) – Tuesday
- 水曜日 (suiyoubi) – Wednesday
- 木曜日 (mokuyoubi) – Thursday
- 金曜日 (kinyoubi) – Friday
- 土曜日 (doyoubi) – Saturday
- 日曜日 (nichiyoubi) – Sunday
Times of Day:
- 午前 (gozen) – Morning/AM
- 午後 (gogo) – Afternoon/PM
- 朝 (asa) – Early morning
- 夕方 (yuugata) – Evening
More Japanese Healthcare Scripts
Need help with other situations at Japanese clinics? These guides cover the most common scenarios expats face:
- How to Cancel or Reschedule an Appointment
- How to Describe Your Symptoms
- How to Use a Pharmacy in Japan
- Emergency and Urgent Care Phrases
- Dental Appointment Script
Looking for an English-speaking clinic? Browse our verified provider directory →
Traveling or new to Japan? SafetyWing offers affordable travel health insurance that covers emergency medical care while you sort out your long-term coverage.
Want to communicate better at the clinic? Even basic Japanese goes a long way — iTalki connects you with Japanese tutors for one-on-one lessons from ¥500/hour.
Getting paperwork you can’t read? Jozu lets you upload, translate, and save Japanese medical documents — prescriptions, discharge summaries, insurance forms — so you always have an English record.
I need travel dialysis
Hi Trieu! Travel dialysis in Japan is definitely possible — Japan has some of the best dialysis facilities in the world and many clinics accept visiting patients.
**How it works:**
– You’ll need to arrange dialysis slots **before you arrive** — most clinics require 1–3 months advance notice
– Bring your nephrologist’s letter with your current prescription, dialysis schedule (frequency, duration, dialysate), and recent lab results (BUN, creatinine, potassium)
– Costs are out-of-pocket for tourists but are generally comparable to or lower than Western rates
**Resources to arrange travel dialysis in Japan:**
– **JSDCT (Japan Society for Dialysis Therapy)** has a travel dialysis coordination service
– **Tsurumi Tokai Hospital** (Yokohama) and **Shinjuku Mishuku Hospital** (Tokyo) regularly handle visiting dialysis patients with English support
– **Dialysis.com** (which you may already know!) also has a Japan finder tool
Feel free to ask if you need help narrowing down a clinic for your destination city in Japan! 🙏
I have deep acne scar and I want to get it treated. Im only in japan from November 30 to Dec 3. I dont speak Japanese only English
Hi Linh! Japan actually has some excellent dermatology clinics for acne scar treatments, including CO2 laser, fractional resurfacing, and chemical peels.
For a short stay (Nov 30 – Dec 3), your best option is to book in advance — many clinics offer consultations and same-day or next-day treatments. English-speaking dermatology clinics in Tokyo: https://kantanhealth.jp/english-dermatologist-tokyo/
A few tips:
– **Book before you arrive** — popular clinics fill up fast, especially with tourists
– **Clinics to look at:** Hiroo Skin Clinic, Omotesando Skin Clinic, and Jiyugaoka Dermatology all have English staff and offer laser treatments
– **Cost:** Cosmetic procedures are out-of-pocket in Japan (not covered by insurance) but are generally affordable compared to Western prices
Hope you find a great clinic — Japan is fantastic for dermatology! 🌟
Konnichiwa! I would like to inquire about the kind of allergy you can cure.
We are visiting Japan in May and 3 members of my family have allergy to insects! My 2 nephews 3 & 6 are allergic to mosquito’s bite; while their mother has allergy to a kind of black (Samsum) ant that bites which needs medical treatment fast.
I would like to inquire if you have the facilities to cure these cases, if it accrued during our visit. If not, could you recommend me where to go?
Thank you for your time, and hope you could answer my inquiry.
Have a good day.
Hi Raweya! Great question — and good thinking to plan ahead.
For insect allergy treatment in Japan, here’s what you need to know:
**For mild reactions** (swelling, itching from mosquito bites): Any general medicine or dermatology clinic can handle this. Many clinics in Tokyo carry antihistamines and topical treatments. You can find English-speaking options here: https://kantanhealth.jp/english-general-medicine-tokyo/
**For severe allergic reactions / anaphylaxis** (which the ant allergy you describe may require): Japan has excellent emergency care. Major hospitals like St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo (English-speaking, 24/7 emergency) are equipped for anaphylaxis — epinephrine injection and full emergency treatment.
**Our strong recommendation:** Before your trip, ask your doctor at home about carrying an EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector). Japan does dispense them but having one on arrival gives you immediate peace of mind, especially for the ant allergy.
Enjoy your visit to Japan — hope it’s a wonderful trip! 🌸