Medical expenses in Japan can be high, and not all clinics accept credit cards. Please ensure you have the following ready:
Original Passport: Required for identity verification and filling out registration forms.
Travel Insurance Certificate: If insured, bring your policy details and the insurance company’s contact information.
Cash and Credit Cards: We recommend preparing at least 30,000 – 50,000 JPY in cash, as some clinics may not support contactless payments.
Current Medications: If you are taking any medication, please bring the medicine or its packaging for the doctor’s assessment.
Do not go directly to the hospital! To avoid unnecessary trips or long wait times, please call ahead:
Key Information to Share: Do I have a fever/injury? Is Chinese/English support available? Can I be seen right now?
Language Support: If you are concerned about the language barrier, call the Fukuoka International Medical Support Center (092-286-9595) first. They provide 24-hour medical interpretation and hospital matching services.
Emergency Reminder: In life-threatening situations, dial 119 immediately for an ambulance.
Once the hospital is confirmed, evaluate the most suitable mode of transport:
Google Maps Navigation: Click the links in the hospital list below to check live traffic conditions.
Should I take a taxi?
If you are feeling very weak or traveling with children: We strongly recommend taking a taxi to avoid the physical strain of public transit.
How to hail a taxi: Ask your hotel front desk to call one, or use the GO or Uber apps. Hailing a taxi on the street (look for a red light in the window indicating it’s vacant) is also very convenient in the city.
Communicating with the Driver: Simply show the driver the hospital name and address directly from Google Maps.
Call this if you are unsure whether to call an ambulance or which emergency clinic to visit.
Upon calling, you may request “Chinese, please” or “English, please” for a three-way interpreted call.
Specializes in introducing medical facilities to foreign visitors and providing phone interpretation.
Supports over 20 languages, including English and Chinese.
| Hospital Name | Support English | 24H Emergency | Features & Notes | Area | Google Maps URL |
Fukuoka Kinen Hospital (福岡紀念醫院) | ✅ | ✅ | Has an International Medical Dept. Provides video or in-person interpretation. Excellent emergency response. | Sawara-ku | [Navigate] |
Fukuoka University Hospital (福岡大學醫院) | ✅ | ✅ | A large university hospital with a multilingual consultation desk and advanced medical equipment. | Jonan-ku | [Navigate] |
Hakata Hinoki Clinic (博多檜木診所) | ✅ | ❌ | Located near Hakata Station with a dedicated Chinese/English line. Best for minor illnesses or general check-ups. | Hakata-ku | [Navigate] |
Fukuoka Sanno Hospital (福岡山王醫院) | ✅ | ⚠️ | Premium medical environment. English support available during weekdays. Call ahead to confirm for night-time emergency care. | Sawara-ku | [Navigate] |
| Hospital Name | Support English | 24H Emergency | Features & Notes | Area | Google Maps URL |
Fukuoka Tokushukai Hospital (福岡德洲會醫院) | ⚠️ | ✅ | Primary languages are English and Japanese. Large-scale emergency facility with 24-hour acceptance of emergency patients. | Kasuga City | [Navigate] |
Reference
Source: Information is referenced from FUKUOKA IS OPEN and the Fukuoka International Medical Support Center
Disclaimer: Medical facility status, language support, and operating hours are subject to change. Please call to confirm before visiting. Memotrip provides this information for reference only and is not legally responsible for medical outcomes.
Major hospitals usually accept credit cards (Visa/Mastercard/JCB). However, many smaller clinics still only accept Cash. We strongly recommend having at least 30,000 JPY on hand before visiting a doctor.
You can call the Fukuoka International Medical Support Center at 092-286-9595. They provide phone interpretation and can help you find a hospital that matches your language needs.
This depends on whether your insurance provider offers “Cashless Service”
If YES: Contact your insurance company’s overseas hotline first; they will direct you to a partner hospital where they handle payment directly.
If NO: You will need to pay the full amount at the hospital first. Make sure to request a Medical Receipt and a Medical Certificate (Shindansho) before leaving. You will need these documents to apply for a reimbursement once you return home.
You can first call #7119 (Emergency Consultation Center Fukuoka). Professional medical staff will evaluate your symptoms over the phone to determine if you need an ambulance immediately or introduce you to an after-hours clinic that is currently open.
If you are unsure of the hospital’s location, you can ask your hotel front desk for assistance or use your phone to navigate to the locations marked as “24H Emergency” in this guide.
"MEMOTRIP has prepared a Medical SOS Card for you. We recommend saving it to your phone so you can show it to taxi drivers or medical staff if needed."