Visit Flow Guide
Step-by-step guide for adults — emergency and non-emergency.
Identify your symptoms
Fever, cold, pain, rash, or ongoing condition? Use the Health Check tool if unsure, or check which specialty (診療科) treats your symptoms.
Find a nearby clinic (クリニック)
Use Google Maps → search "内科 near me" or your symptom in Japanese. No referral or GP registration needed — walk in directly.
Most clinics open 9:00 AM. Arrive early to reduce wait time.
Prepare what to bring
Insurance card (保険証), cash ¥3,000–¥10,000, list of current medications (薬リスト), and the Preparation Checklist from this app.
At reception (受付)
Hand in your insurance card and fill out a form (問診票) listing symptoms and medical history. Many clinics have English or multilingual forms.
Wait to be called
Your name or number will be called. Wait time: 15–60 min at small clinics, 1–3 hours at hospitals.
See the doctor
Describe your symptoms. Use the Phrases page if needed. The doctor may order tests, give a diagnosis, prescribe medicine, or issue a referral letter.
Receive prescription (処方箋)
Take your 処方箋 to any pharmacy (薬局). Valid for 4 days only. With NHI, medicine costs ¥200–¥1,500.
Pay at the clinic
Clinic counter: pay your co-pay (30% with NHI). Total typical visit: ¥1,000–¥3,000 with insurance.