Last updated: October 2025
The following resources should assist you in finding an English speaking doctor, dentist or specialist.
Hyogo Prefectural Medical Facilities Information System
The Prefectural Medical Facilities Information System provides an extensive list of hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, drug stores, and midwifery centers in Hyogo with staff that speak foreign languages. The medical facilities are categorized by region and each listing includes the phone number, address, and medical specialties.
After you have found a hospital or clinic on this system, it is useful to call them up to discover what the extent of their English service is. It may be that you need to visit on a specific day that the English-speaking doctor is in, or schedule a medical interpretation service.
Often receptionists don’t speak English but doctors do, so if you’re not confident with your Japanese speaking ability, it is often easier to ask your JTE to arrange an appointment for you.
AMDA (International Medical Information Center)
The AMDA International Medical Information Center provides telephone services to foreign residents in Japan in several languages, introduces medical facilities with staff who speak the patient’s language, and answer questions about the Japanese medical system.
When you visit a doctor’s surgery, the receptionist will hand you a form to fill out. This website has the same form with English and Japanese written side by side which is useful if you’re going to the clinic by yourself.
Phone: 03-6233-9266
Hours: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Weekdays only, not open during public holidays)
Community House and Information Center (CHIC)
Call this English directory service for information about English-speaking doctors, specialists, surgeons, and acupuncturists. They have details for everywhere in Hyogo.
Phone: 078-857-6540
Hours: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (Weekdays only)
Translating medical terms
Here is a list of medical terms in Japanese translated into English. Feel free to save this or print it out to help explain and understand your symptoms.
Japan Healthcare Info
Japan Healthcare Info is a service that offers health information and can help you find English-speaking doctors and specialists. They can book an appointment for you for ￥1,100 per appointment. More information on other services are on their website.
JET Recommendations
The following are recommendations made by past JETs.
Do note that despite the practices/clinics listed below are still in operation, some extra information has been provided over a decade ago and may be outdated.
General Practice
Kobe
- Kobe Kaisei Hospital (Nada-ku, Kobe) – Besides being English-friendly in general, has a staff of three English-speaking International Medicine doctors.
- Ogawa Clinic (Nada-ku, Kobe) – Both reception & doctors speak English
Harima
- Sorachi Clinic (Himeji) – The main doctor there speaks English. On the 4th floor of the same building there is apparently Dr Nakayama who also speaks English
- Yamanaka Clinic (Shiso) – A doctor is said to be fluent in English
Tajima
- Hamabe Clinic (Shinonsen) – Doctor doesn’t speak English but is very patient.
Tamba
- Waku Clinic (Tamba) – They understand some English but not fluent, has a family feel.
- Fine Pharmacy (Tamba) – Pharmacist speaks English
Hanshin
- Takemotonaika Clinic (Sanda) – Main female doctor there can speak English but the front desk nurses do not but are very friendly. There’s also a pharmacy on the ground floor for getting your scripts filled. The pharmacists don’t speak much English, but always go out of their way to write the English names of the medicine on the info sheet, and with a lot of gestures, explain how many times a day to take your meds. Very nice staff!
Orthopedic doctors
Yamakawa Clinic (Nishi-ku, Kobe) – Reception staff don’t speak English but they had an English form so the process was pretty easy.
Physiotherapist
Anshin Clinic (Chuo-ku, Kobe) – Specializes in sport rehabilitation and orthopedics (ask for Mr. Nagai)
Dentists
Hanshin
- Inoue Dental Clinic (Nishinomiya) – The office is a 10 minute walk from JR Koshienguchi Station. The dentist studied in Japanese dental schools, then traveled to the US where he studied English, then studied dentistry at Harvard. He was very nice and spoke English very well. He did a root canal & crowns, and did a very good, natural job.
- Maruyama Dental Clinic (Kawanishi) – The dentist and staff speak English. This office takes JET insurance and has a nice atmosphere. There are also modern facilities and the service is good.
Kobe
- Kitano Dental Clinic (Chuo-ku, Kobe)
Harima
- Katsutani Dental Clinic (Himeji) – The dentists there do speak some English, but the other staff do not.
- Hanabusa Dental Clinic (Himeji) – Highly recommended. Speaks fluent English, is friendly and comforting. Performs good dental surgery. Walk north from Himeji station towards the castle, along Otemaedori. At the forth intersection, marked Otemae, turn right onto Route 2. Follow the road, walking eastward until the next signal light. The large beige building on the diagonal corner is the Community Centre (Shiminkaikan) and is decorated with large metal cranes. The doctor’s office is on the ground level of the second building on your right hand side. There’s a sign in English –Hanabusa Dentistry.
Kobe JET recommendations
Kobe JET has created a PDF for English accessible medical services and resources within or near the Kobe region! Do note that the file is over a decade old so some information/links might be outdated or no longer exist.
Sexual Health
At-home STD test kit: Provided by Japan Health Info, a kit can be sent to you with English instructions anywhere across Japan.
Kobe City offers free and anonymous testing for HIV, hepatitis B, chlamydia and syphilis every Wednesday from 6-7:30pm or every second Saturday from 1-2pm. It’s on the sixth floor of Center Plaza West Building (6F, 2-11-1 Sannomiya-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 650-0021). You return and pick up the results a week later. May be Japanese-only.
Dental dams (デンタルダム/オーラルプレイ専用コンドーム): Available, but difficult to find in general stores. Purchasable online and in specialty shops. Trip Skin seems to be a popular brand.
Condoms (コンドーム): Male condoms easier to find than female condoms (女性用コンドーム)
Women’s Health
Clinics
- Kawaguchi Ladies’ Clinic (川口レディースクリニック) (Nada-ku, Kobe): Close to JR Nada Station. Doctor is fluent in English. Also offers Chinese medicine (kanpo). Emergency contraception (Plan B) is available. Tel: 078-881-8208.
- Palmore Hospital (パルモア病院) (Chuo-ku, Kobe): Close to JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station.. A pediatrics and women’s health hospital. Most doctors speak English. Tel: 078-321-6000.
- Yamabe Ladies’ Clinic (山辺レディースクリニック) (Chuo-ku, Kobe): Close to subway/Hanshin/Hankyu/JR Sannomiya and Motomachi Station. Will dispense birth control in a 3 month supply (with the exception of Yaz which is 1 month.) Sometimes the wait time is long. Emergency contraception (Plan B) is available. Tel 078-335-0555.
Online Consultation for Birth Control Pills: Service provided by Japan Health Info. Find out more here.
Yeast Infection: An over-the counter drug (般用医薬品) is available for yeast infections. It is called Mensore Tamufuredi CC (メンソレータムフレディCC膣錠). Pricier than prescription.
Menstrual Cups: https://www.lunettejapan.com/
For counseling and support resources please check our counseling page
Caution from previous JETs
There have been a number of complaints for Doctor Tateiwa, who practices obstetrics and gynecology at Tateiwa Sanfujinka Clinic in Himeji. He is listed as an English speaking doctor, but there are reports of his having disclosed personal information on other patients. Previous ALTs ask you to exercise caution in scheduling an appointment at his office, and to seek alternative English speaking Ob-Gyns.
