Japanese words you will see at a clinic reception

Most of the difficulty at a Japanese clinic is navigational rather than medical. These are the words that appear on signs, forms and opening-hours boards.

At the door

• 受付 — reception
• 初診 — first visit / 再診 — return visit
• 診療時間 — consultation hours / 受付時間 — reception hours (usually ends earlier)
• 休診日 — closed days
• 予約制 — appointment only

On the form

• 問診票 — medical questionnaire
• 保険証 — insurance card
• お薬手帳 — medicine notebook
• アレルギー — allergies
• 妊娠 — pregnancy

Around the corner

• 薬局 — pharmacy
• 調剤 / 処方せん受付 — dispensing / prescriptions accepted
• 処方箋 — prescription
• 会計 — payment

Two phrases worth memorising

英語を話せる人はいますか — Is there anyone who speaks English? ／ 保険証がありません — I do not have an insurance card.

Find facilities near you

Browse by prefecture. Names are shown in English where the registered romanised name exists, with the Japanese name underneath so you can show it to a taxi driver.