Sugihara Shika

Sugihara Shika is a dental clinic tucked inside the Brillia Tama Center building in Tama City — a residential area southwest of central Tokyo that’s home to a fair number of expat families. It’s a neighborhood practice, not a specialist expat clinic, so you’re walking into a Japanese-language environment first and foremost.

The clinic’s website has some English content, which suggests they’ve thought about international patients at least a little. But “some English on the website” doesn’t automatically mean smooth English consultation. Expect basic communication to be manageable, but anything complex — treatment plans, insurance questions, dental history — will likely need some prep work on your end. Bring a translation app or a Japanese-speaking friend if your case is complicated.

For routine dental work — cleanings, checkups, fillings — this is a solid local option if you live in the Tama area and don’t want to commute into the city. Don’t expect a bilingual concierge experience. Do expect a professional Japanese dental practice that probably won’t turn you away.