Choosing the right hospital is the most important step in planning medical travel to Japan. This guide explains the accreditations to look for, how to match a hospital to your condition, and how the application process usually works. See the full Medical Travel to Japan directory for hospital profiles.
1. Understand the accreditations
JMIP (Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients) is a national accreditation for a hospital’s readiness to receive international patients — multilingual guidance and culturally-considerate care. JCI (Joint Commission International) is a global hospital-quality standard. Japan International Hospitals (JIH) is a government-recommended listing of hospitals equipped for overseas patients. JMIP official site ↗
2. Match the hospital to your condition
Japan’s leading centres tend to specialise. For example: comprehensive cancer care at the National Cancer Center Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR; carbon-ion (heavy-ion) radiotherapy at QST Hospital; heart disease and critical care at the Saitama Medical University International Medical Center; broad English-language general care at St. Luke’s International Hospital and strong Chinese/English support at the NCGM Center Hospital; and advanced university-hospital care at Osaka and Kyushu University Hospitals or JCI-accredited Kameda Medical Center.
3. How the process usually works
Most leading Japanese hospitals do not accept overseas self-referrals directly. Typically you will: (1) prepare your medical records and a summary, ideally translated into Japanese or English; (2) apply through the hospital’s international desk or a registered medical coordinator/agent; (3) receive an appointment and a cost estimate; (4) arrange interpretation; and (5) apply for the appropriate visa (Japan offers a “Medical Stay” visa for treatment). Allow several weeks of lead time.
4. Practical tips
Gather and translate your records early; confirm fees and payment in writing; request an interpreter in advance (see our language-support guide); and factor in location and airport access. Tsubaki Trading can help you navigate these steps and provide language and coordination guidance.
如何在日本选择医院（中文）
选对医院是赴日医疗最关键的一步。认证方面：JMIP 是国家级的「外国人患者接诊能力」认证；JCI 是国际医院质量标准；「Japan International Hospitals」为政府推荐名单。按专科匹配：综合癌症看国立癌症研究中心、癌研有明；重离子看QST 医院；心脏/危重看埼玉国际医疗中心；中英文支持强的有国立国际医疗研究中心医院、龟田。流程：多数顶级医院不接受海外直接自助挂号，通常需备齐并翻译病历、经医院国际部或登记的医疗协调机构申请、取得预约与费用估算、安排口译、办理医疗签证（日本设有「医疗滞在」签证），请预留数周。完整名录见赴日医疗导航。
日本での病院の選び方（日本語）
訪日医療では病院選びが最も重要です。認証：JMIPは外国人患者受入れ体制の国家認証、JCIは国際的な病院品質基準、「Japan International Hospitals」は政府推奨リスト。専門で選ぶ：総合的ながんは国立がん研究センター・がん研有明、重粒子線はQST病院、心臓・救急は埼玉国際医療センターなど。流れ：多くの先進病院は海外からの直接申込を受けず、通常は診療情報の準備・翻訳、国際窓口または登録された医療コーディネーター経由での申込、予約と概算費用、通訳手配、医療滞在ビザの取得が必要です。数週間の余裕を。詳しくは訪日医療ガイドへ。
General information only, not medical advice. Confirm all details with the hospital. 仅供信息参考，非医疗建议。情報提供のみで医療上の助言ではありません。