1st STEP Kokoro no Clinic

1st STEP Kokoro no Clinic sits in a residential pocket of Jingumae, Shibuya — the kind of quiet side street that feels deliberately removed from the chaos of the main drag. Despite the “Internal Medicine” tag, the name gives it away: kokoro means heart/mind, and this clinic leans into mental health and emotional wellbeing alongside general internal medicine. Think anxiety, stress, sleep issues, mild depression — the stuff that often falls through the cracks for expats who don’t know where to start.

Their website has some English content, which is a decent sign, but don’t assume you’ll walk in and have a fully bilingual consultation waiting for you. Come prepared. A translation app, a Japanese-speaking friend, or written notes about your symptoms will make the visit go a lot smoother. The building is small — Rosa Bianca, second floor — so don’t expect a large hospital setup. This is an intimate clinic. If you’re an expat who’s been struggling and just needs a first step (the name is doing work), this might be worth the effort.