Quick Answer
In Japan, children see a pediatrician (小児科 / shounika) at a clinic or hospital — there is no GP system. To find English-speaking pediatricians, use the AMDA International Medical Information Center (03-6233-9266), the JNTO Medical Facilities guide, or your municipal government's multilingual medical list. Major cities have international clinics with pediatric departments. For nighttime emergencies, call #7119 (medical advice) or 119 (ambulance).
How the Japanese Pediatric System Works
- Specialty-first system — Japan does not use a GP/family doctor model. For children, you go directly to a 小児科 (pediatrics) clinic. No referral is needed.
- Clinic vs. hospital — Small neighborhood clinics (クリニック / 医院) handle routine visits: colds, fevers, vaccinations, checkups. Larger hospitals handle emergencies and specialist care. Go to a clinic first unless it is an emergency.
- Walk-in or reservation — Many pediatric clinics accept walk-ins, but increasingly clinics use online reservation systems (e.g., Clinics KARTE, Docomo Yoyaku). Check the clinic's website.
- Insurance coverage — Pediatric visits are covered by National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) or employer insurance (社会保険). Children's medical expenses are further subsidized by municipalities — many cities offer free or low-cost care for children up to age 15 (子ども医療費助成).
- お薬手帳 (Medicine Notebook) — Get a free medicine notebook (お薬手帳) at any pharmacy. Bring it to every visit so the pharmacist can track your child's prescriptions and check for interactions.
Where to Find Multilingual Pediatricians
| Resource | How to Use |
|---|---|
| AMDA International Medical Information Center | Call 03-6233-9266 (Mon-Fri 10:00-16:00). Provides referrals to multilingual medical facilities nationwide in English and 8 other languages. |
| JNTO Medical Facilities Search | Visit japanhealthinfo.com — searchable database of hospitals/clinics by language, specialty, and area. Filter by "Pediatrics" and "English." |
| Municipal foreign resident guides | Most city/ward offices publish a multilingual medical institution list. Ask at the foreign resident consultation window or check the city website. |
| Embassy lists | Your country's embassy in Japan often maintains a list of English-speaking doctors. Check your embassy website under "Living in Japan" or "Medical." |
| Himawari (Tokyo only) | Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Center: 03-5285-8181 (multilingual). Provides referrals 24/7 including holidays. |
Major International Hospitals with Pediatrics
| Hospital | City | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| St. Luke's International Hospital | Tokyo (Chuo-ku) | Full pediatric dept., English-speaking staff, appointment required |
| Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic | Tokyo (Minato-ku) | English-only clinic, pediatric consultations, vaccinations |
| National Center for Global Health and Medicine | Tokyo (Shinjuku-ku) | International health, pediatric dept., interpreter services |
| Kobe Adventist Hospital | Kobe | English-speaking doctors, pediatric care, family medicine approach |
| Kameda Medical Center | Kamogawa (Chiba) | International patient services, pediatrics, English staff |
What to Bring for the First Visit
- Health insurance card (保険証) — your child's own card or the family card with the child's name
- Children's medical subsidy certificate (子ども医療費受給者証) — issued by your city hall; reduces or eliminates co-pays
- Mother and Child Health Handbook (母子健康手帳) — records vaccinations, growth, and checkup history. You receive this during pregnancy registration. English versions are available at city hall.
- お薬手帳 (Medicine Notebook) — if your child has been prescribed medicine before
- Vaccination records from home country — bring originals or copies so the doctor can assess which Japanese vaccines are still needed
- Symptoms memo — write down when symptoms started, temperature readings, and any medications given. A simple note in English is fine at international clinics.
Vaccination Schedule Differences
Japan's vaccination schedule differs from many countries. Key differences: BCG is given at 5-8 months (many Western countries do not give BCG). Japanese Encephalitis (日本脳炎) vaccine is standard in Japan but rare elsewhere. Rotavirus and Hib vaccines are now publicly funded. MMR is given as separate MR (measles-rubella) + mumps vaccines. Bring your child's vaccination record from your home country — the pediatrician will create a catch-up schedule to fill any gaps. Free routine vaccinations (定期接種) are available through your municipality for registered residents.
When Your Child Is Sick at Night (夜間救急)
- #7119 — Call for medical advice (available in many prefectures). A nurse will assess whether you need to go to the ER or can wait until morning. Some areas offer English support.
- #8000 — Pediatric-specific telephone consultation (小児救急電話相談). Available evenings and nights nationwide. Connects you to a nurse or doctor for advice on children's symptoms.
- 119 — Call for an ambulance in true emergencies (difficulty breathing, seizures, unresponsiveness, severe injury). Ambulance service is free in Japan.
- Night-duty hospitals — Each area designates rotating night-duty hospitals (夜間当番医). Check your city's website or call the medical info line for tonight's on-duty hospital.
- Fever without other symptoms — If your child has a fever but is otherwise alert, drinking fluids, and not in distress, it is generally safe to wait until morning and visit a regular clinic. Use #8000 if unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a pediatrician?
No. You can go directly to any 小児科 clinic without a referral. For large hospitals, a referral letter (紹介状) from a clinic may be required to avoid an extra fee (typically ¥5,000-7,000).
Is children's healthcare free in Japan?
It depends on your municipality. Many cities subsidize children's medical expenses to zero or near-zero co-pay up to age 15 (some up to age 18). You must apply for the 子ども医療費受給者証 at city hall after registering your child's health insurance.
Can I get an English Mother and Child Health Handbook?
Yes. English (and other language) versions of the 母子健康手帳 are available at most city halls and ward offices upon request when you register your pregnancy. You can also purchase bilingual versions online.
Disclaimer
This article provides general guidance and does not constitute medical advice. Hospital services, multilingual availability, and subsidy programs vary by municipality and change over time. Always confirm current information directly with the medical facility or your local city hall.
Last updated: April 2026.
