Preparation Checklist

Health insurance card (保険証 / hoken-shō)

Required for the 30% co-pay rate

Residence card (在留カード / zairyū kādo)

Or passport for tourists

My Number card (マイナンバーカード)

Can substitute for insurance card at many hospitals

Cash ¥5,000–¥20,000

Many clinics don't accept foreign credit cards

Credit card (Visa/Mastercard)

Larger hospitals usually accept these

List of current medications (with dosage)

Japanese or generic names preferred

Known allergies (drug, food)

Write in Japanese if possible

Previous medical history summary

Especially for chronic conditions

Blood type (if known)

A, B, O, or AB

Smartphone with translation app

Google Translate, DeepL, or VoiceTra

Written description of symptoms

Prepared in Japanese via translation app

Emergency contact number

Hotel, friend, or embassy