Medical Phrases for Visitors: Explaining Symptoms in Japanese

A practical list of Japanese words and short phrases for clinics and pharmacies, with tips on pointing sheets, medication lists and finding care in Japan.

Published October 20, 2026 at 12:44 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: To explain symptoms in Japan, learn a handful of romanized phrases such as "itai" (it hurts), "netsu" (fever) and "arerugii" (allergy), and bring a pointing sheet, a medication list and your insurance details. For emergencies call 119 and say "Kyukyusha o yonde kudasai" (please call an ambulance). The national tourism organization publishes an English medical guide and symptom sheet.

Where to start when you feel unwell

The national tourism organization publishes a guide for visitors who feel ill. It explains that care depends on the situation: an emergency hospital is open around the clock for emergencies, a clinic or general hospital handles non-emergency care during regular hours, and a pharmacy or drugstore is an option if a doctor is not needed. A pharmacist can advise, though some medicines are not available when no pharmacist is on duty.

Before leaving the hotel, it helps to call ahead where possible. The guide notes that facilities may not offer every service, may not speak your language, or may refer you elsewhere. Hotel staff may be able to help find a nearby clinic, which can save time.

An online medical institution search on the same site lets visitors filter by area, language and medical department, and shows up to 30 facilities sorted by straight-line distance. Results are a starting point, not a promise of English support, so a short call is still wise.

Key words for the body and symptoms

A few words go a long way. "Itai" means painful or hurting, and it can follow the body part, as in "atama ga itai" (the head hurts) and "onaka ga itai" (the stomach hurts). "Netsu" means fever, "seki" means cough, "hakike" means nausea, "geri" means diarrhea, and "memai" means dizziness. These are standard everyday terms, though pronunciation may take practice.

For an allergy, say "arerugii ga arimasu" (there is an allergy). "Kusuri" means medicine, and "kusuri o nonde imasu" means medicine is being taken. "Kega" means injury, and "kizu" means wound. Showing a phone screen with the Japanese written next to the English is often easier than speaking.

The national tourism organization also supplies a symptom pointing sheet in English, listing many symptoms, such as headache, sore throat, cough, rash, chest and breathing problems, stomachache, injuries, urinary problems and baby-related worries, with a scale from tolerable to very severe. The sheet is meant to be shown at the clinic so that you can point to what applies, and it is useful when pronunciation is difficult.

Where it hurts and how bad it is

To say where something hurts, point and say "koko ga itai desu" (it hurts here). Add "sukoshi" (a little) or "totemo" (very) to show how strong the pain feels. Pointing at the spot while saying the word is usually enough. Saying "itsu kara desu ka" is the staff's way of asking since when, and you can answer with "kinou kara" (since yesterday) or "kesa kara" (since this morning).

Numbers help with timing and fever, and showing a number on a phone screen works well. The pointing sheet lists fever for adults and babies, and symptoms such as a sore throat, cough with phlegm, and rash. When describing a child, the sheet offers entries for a baby with a fever, a baby who threw up and a baby who is not eating.

Do not worry about grammar. Short, simple phrases with a gesture are understood in most clinical settings. If a word is unknown, name the body part, make a gesture and say "itai." Patience and a friendly manner make the visit smoother.

Which department to look for

Japanese hospitals are organized by medical department, and the national tourism organization's guide gives a list. Fever, sore throat, cough and a runny nose are suited to Internal Medicine. Injury or wound is Surgery or Plastic Surgery, and a broken bone or joint pain is Orthopedic Surgery. Skin problems such as eczema or hives go to Dermatology, and ear, nose and throat problems to Otorhinolaryngology.

The same list says children's illnesses belong to Pediatrics, toothache to Oral Health, urinary problems to Urology and pregnancy concerns to Obstetrics and Gynecology. In Japanese, these are commonly written with the word "ka" for department, such as "naika" (internal medicine), "geka" (surgery), "shonika" (pediatrics) and "shika" (dentistry). Learning these helps when reading signs.

If you are unsure which department to choose, the guide lists General Diagnosis and Treatment, and reception staff can direct you. Say your main symptom at reception and show the pointing sheet. Staff can then direct you to the right desk.

At the clinic: reception, forms and payment

The guide describes the steps. At reception, ask for a general estimate of treatment costs, since some facilities have limited language support. Fill out the medical information form, which the site offers as a downloadable PDF. Then see the doctor, who may give a prescription, and use the pointing sheet to describe the problem. Listen carefully to the explanation.

After the visit, pay for treatment. Major hospitals may accept credit cards, but clinics generally accept cash only, according to the same guide. Cashless payment may apply if you have overseas travel insurance that offers it. Prescribed medicine is paid for separately at a pharmacy, though some hospitals dispense medicine in-house.

Bring a few items: a passport, insurance details, cash, and your medication list. A list that shows drug names, doses and what each is for, written in English and ideally in Japanese, helps the doctor and pharmacist understand. Note any allergies and medical conditions. The medical information form on the national tourism organization's site is a good place to write them down.

Pharmacies and over-the-counter medicine

For minor symptoms, a pharmacy can be the first stop. In Japanese, "yakkyoku" means pharmacy, and "kusuriya" is a common word for a drugstore. The national tourism organization says a pharmacist can advise, and notes that an English-language search for non-prescription medicine is available through a link on its guide.

When asking for medicine, show the symptom, say the name of the problem and mention allergies and regular medicines. Ask the pharmacist to explain the label, including how the medicine should be used and who should avoid it.

If a prescription is given, take it to a pharmacy and ask for the instructions. Keep the paperwork, since travel insurance claims usually need receipts and records. Some medicines sold in Japan are not available when no pharmacist is on duty, according to the national tourism organization, so asking during regular opening hours may be easier.

Emergencies, insurance and staying prepared

In an emergency, call 119 for an ambulance or fire. The guide advises that if you cannot call yourself, you can show a nearby Japanese speaker the phrase "Kyukyusha o yonde kudasai" (please call an ambulance). It also notes that you cannot choose which hospital you are taken to. Police are on 110. The Japan Visitor Hotline, available 24 hours, supports English, Chinese and Korean, though it generally does not provide three-way interpretation or make reservations.

Insurance deserves attention. The guide mentions travel insurance that can be bought online even after arriving in Japan, with features such as interpretation and referral services and cashless payment, and it reminds visitors to settle any medical bills before leaving. Arranging cover before departure is the simpler plan, so check your own policy too.

This guide shares general cultural information, not professional advice; for health questions, talk with a doctor. Phrases and procedures change, so confirm current details with the official source. If a situation feels urgent, do not wait to practice a phrase: call 119 or ask a nearby person to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I ask for an ambulance in Japanese?

Call 119. If you cannot call yourself, show a nearby Japanese speaker the phrase "Kyukyusha o yonde kudasai," which means please call an ambulance, as suggested by the national tourism organization. You cannot choose which hospital the ambulance takes you to, so keep your passport and insurance details close.

What words should I know to describe pain?

"Itai" means it hurts, so "atama ga itai" is a headache and "onaka ga itai" is a stomachache. Add "koko" (here) while pointing. "Netsu" is fever, "arerugii" is allergy and "kusuri" is medicine. The English pointing sheet from the national tourism organization is another way to show symptoms.

Do Japanese clinics accept credit cards?

Major hospitals may, but clinics generally accept cash only, according to the national tourism organization's medical guide. Cashless payment may be available with some travel insurance. Carry enough yen, ask about the estimated cost at reception, and pay for prescribed medicine separately at the pharmacy.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japanese for Your First Trip is available on Amazon.

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