HAYASHI CLINIC

Hayashi Clinic is a neighborhood internal medicine practice tucked into Koenji Minami, a quiet residential pocket of Suginami that most expats pass through on their way somewhere else. The clinic runs under the name drtakako.com — a personal touch that suggests this is a smaller, doctor-led operation rather than a clinic-by-committee setup. Internal medicine here means the usual: colds, chronic conditions, checkups, referrals when something needs a specialist.

The English situation is genuinely unclear. The website has some English-facing content, which is a better sign than nothing, but that doesn’t automatically mean the front desk can hold a conversation. If you show up without Japanese, come prepared — a translation app and written notes about your symptoms will get you further than hoping for the best. That said, smaller clinics like this often surprise you with a doctor who studied abroad or picked up English along the way. Worth a call ahead to check.