Something in your eye, a swollen lid, sudden blurring. These tend to announce themselves in the evening, which is the worst possible time to need an eye clinic in Japan. The pattern is stark enough to plan around.
Counting by each department's own opening hours, only 67 facilities nationwide see ophthalmology patients past 20:00 on a weekday. Past 22:00 the figure is 15.
Sundays are a different story
On Sundays, 962 facilities run ophthalmology, and 687 do on public holidays — more than fourteen times the weekday-evening figure. Eye clinics depend on fixed equipment and on dilating drops that need waiting time, which suits a weekend session better than a late one.
The department is written 眼科 (ganka). It appears on the clinic sign and on the reception board. A general hospital being open at night does not mean its 眼科 is.
| Condition | Facilities with ophthalmology open |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 962 |
| Public holidays | 687 |
| Early (from 08:00 or earlier) | 86 |
| Late (past 20:00, weekdays) | 67 |
| Past 22:00, weekdays | 15 |
Based on the opening hours recorded for ophthalmology itself, not for the facility as a whole.
If it cannot wait until morning
- Sudden loss of vision, a gap in your field of view, severe pain, or a chemical splash needs attention immediately. Call #7119, or 119 if it is severe.
- Emergency departments do not always have an ophthalmologist on site. Phone ahead and ask before travelling.
- For a chemical splash, rinse with clean running water and do not rub. Bring the container or a photo of the label.
Find facilities near you
Browse by prefecture and filter for Sunday or holiday ophthalmology.
Frequently asked questions
- How many eye clinics in Japan are open in the evening?
- Counting by each department's own opening hours, only 67 facilities nationwide see ophthalmology patients past 20:00 on a weekday, and 15 past 22:00.
- Are eye clinics in Japan open on Sundays?
- On Sundays 962 facilities run ophthalmology, and 687 do on public holidays — more than fourteen times the weekday-evening figure.
- What should I do about an eye problem after hours?
- Sudden loss of vision, a gap in your field of view, severe pain or a chemical splash cannot wait. Emergency departments do not always have an ophthalmologist on site, so phone ahead. For a chemical splash, rinse with clean running water and do not rub.