Would You Pay ¥55,000 To See a Doctor From Your Tokyo Hotel?
Getting sick on vacation is never ideal. Getting sick in a country where you don’t speak the language, don’t know which clinic will take you and aren’t entirely sure how to get a prescription is considerably worse. A Doctor in 32 Languages, Delivered to Your Room As of September 1, there’s another option. Tokyo-based Mediphone […] The post Would You Pay ¥55,000 To See a Doctor From Your Tokyo…
International travelers visiting Japan face considerable challenges when they become ill, especially if they lack knowledge of the language, local clinics, and prescription processes. To address this issue, Tokyo-based companies Mediphone and Minakara, a subsidiary of NTT Docomo Group, have launched Online Doctor for tourists. The service allows visitors to receive medical care from the comfort of their hotel room for a fixed price of ¥55,000.
The package includes medical interpretation in 32 languages, a consultation with a Japanese doctor, online counseling on medication, and prescription-drug delivery. An alternative ¥45,000 plan offers a consultation and prescription, with patients collecting their medication from a nearby pharmacy. Despite the high cost, the service caters to a growing number of international visitors.
Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million international tourists in 2025, but navigating the country's medical system can be complicated for those without Japanese language skills or proper travel insurance. Roughly a quarter of inbound tourists carry no private medical insurance, and fewer than 1 in 20 have enrolled in Japan's travel insurance program.
Consequently, many travelers may face unpredictable and potentially substantial medical bills. While the ¥55,000 price tag may seem steep by Japanese standards, it may be more affordable for visitors accustomed to higher healthcare costs in their home countries, particularly if their insurance covers part of the bill. Hotel de Doctor 24 and Doctor to You also charge the same amount for similar services.
With tens of millions of visitors annually, the growing industry offers a convenient solution to a genuine problem, albeit at a considerable expense.
Written by urgent.news from Tokyo Weekender's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
