Hospital or clinic in Japan? Choosing the right one saves money

Japan splits outpatient care between small clinics and large hospitals, and the split is legal, not just descriptive. A facility with 20 or more beds is a hospital (病院); anything smaller is a clinic (診療所 or クリニック).

The numbers are lopsided

Japan has 7,715 hospitals and 80,155 clinics. Most day-to-day care happens in clinics, which are often run by a single doctor.

Going to a big hospital costs extra

If you visit a large hospital as a first-time patient without a referral letter, you pay a fixed additional charge on top of the medical fee. Insurance does not cover it. Getting a referral from a clinic avoids this.

When to go where

• Clinic — colds, stomach upsets, skin problems, prescriptions, ongoing conditions.
• Hospital emergency department — chest pain, breathing difficulty, serious injury, sudden severe symptoms.
• If you are unsure, call #7119 and describe the symptoms.

After hours the choice narrows

4,403 hospitals and clinics nationwide stay open until 20:00 or later on weekdays. After 22:00 the options are almost entirely emergency departments.

Find facilities near you

Browse by prefecture and filter by evening, Sunday or public holiday opening.