The Importance of Sexual Health
Japan carries a lot of stigma around sexual health. Due to sexual practices, STI are rampant. Contraceptives other than the condom are underdeveloped. There is especially judgment towards LGBTQ+ people, as Japanese culture sees them as overly sexual, and carrying STIs.
Therefore, it is important to deconstruct the stigma and communicate the resources needed for sexual health. It starts with preventive measures, such as the pill, the IUD, or PrEP, and must be carried through with post-exposure, like the morning-after pill, STI testing and treatment, or PEP. Here is a handy list of practices around Japan which provide sexual healthcare.
Tokyo Sexual Health Resources
Shirakaba Clinic
Shirakaba Clinic is a well-rounded clinic located in Shinjuku, which offers a variety of services. Dr. Itoda Ichiro and his staff are friendly, and speak English. The clinic staff pride themselves in being LGBT-friendly.
Services offered:
- General medicine and treatment of chronic illnesses, vaccination
- STI and HIV testing and treatment
- Counseling and mental health care
Address: 8-28 Sumiyoshi-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0065
Phone: 03-5919-3127
The Tokyo Metropolitan Testing & Counselling Office
The Tokyo Metropolitan Testing & Counseling Office offers anonymous and free STD/STI and HIV tests. Forms are available in English, but the staff members don’t speak it well. Wednesdays reserved for women.
Services offered:
- HIV and STI testing
Address: 2 Chome−46−3 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 60-0021
Phone: 03-6273-8512
Website: https://www.hokeniryo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kansen/aids/kensa/kensa_yakan.html
Shinjuku City Public Health Center
This large hospital offers help in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Thai. Appointments are not necessary, but testing is not conducted every day, so make sure to check the website first.
Services offered:
- HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and hepatitis B testing
Address: 1-4-1 Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8484
Phone: 03-3209-1111
Website: https://www.foreign.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/en/kenko/kenko_10/
Personal Health Clinic
STI testing is extremely important to maintain good sexual health. This clinic in Bunkyo has friendly English-speaking staff, who are proud to accept people of all sexualities and genders. They consult until late in the day, 8:30pm.
Services offered:
- STI and HIV testing
- PEP and PrEP
- Pill, morning-after pill
- Erectile dysfunction pill
- Papillomavirus vaccine
Address: 3-39-3 Yushima, Bunkyo Ku, Tokyo 113-0034
Phone: 03-5817-4415
Website: https://ph-clinic.org/en/
Hiroo Parkside Ladies Clinic
The staff at this smaller clinic in central Tokyo is very friendly and speaks English.
Services offered:
- STD/STI and HIV Testing
- Pill
- Pap smears, pre-natal, breast exams
- Hormone testing
Address: 1-12-1 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013
Phone: 03-5447-2900
Website: https://www.hiroo-ladies.com/
Toho Clinic
This clinic has English translators on-demand, and there is a gynecologist who speaks English as well.
Services offered:
- Pill, morning-after pill, IUD (Mirena)
- Abortions
Address: 5-3-10 Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0042
Phone: 03-3630-0303
Website: https://www.toho-clinic.or.jp/
The Oak Clinic
This clinic has English-speaking staff and an English website. Please note however that the below items cannot be covered by Japanese insurance.
Services offered:
- Pill for up to 6 months
- IUD (Mirena)
Address: Ginza, 2 Chome−6−12, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
Phone: 070-1820-0909
Email: english_help@oakclinic-group.com
Kanagawa Sexual Health Resources
Kanagawa Prefectural Center
Translators at this hospital are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Thai; other languages can be provided if contacted at least five days in advance. Appointments cannot be made, and only 5 patients will be seen on a first come, first served basis.
Services offered:
- Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and HIV testing
Address: 2 Chome-24-2 Tsuruyacho, Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0835
Phone: 070-1288-4116
Nagoya Sexual Health Resources
Hatano Medical Clinic
This quiet and clean clinic offers STI testing and endocrinology services. The doctor speaks English and the website has an English page.
Services offered:
- STI testing
- Endocrinology
Address: 4-16-27 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi-ken 460-0008
Phone: 052-253-7370
Website: https://www.hatano.nagoya/english
Aichi Health Plaza
HIV testing is offered at this facility on a scheduled basis.
Services offered:
- HIV testing
Address: Gengoyama-1-1 Morioka, Higashiura, Chita District, Aichi 470-2101
Phone: 05-6282-0211
Website: https://www.ahv.pref.aichi.jp/en/
Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center
Multiple laboratories in Gifu offer free and anonymous HIV and STI testing.
Services offered:
- HIV and STI testing
Address: 4-6-1 Noichishiki, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, 500-8717
Phone: 058-246-1111
Website: https://www.gifu-hp.jp/
Yokkaichi Municipal Hospital
This hospital offers free and anonymous HIV and STI testing once to twice a month in the evening.
Services offered:
- HIV and STI testing
Address: 2 Chome-2-37 Shibata, Yokkaichi, Mie 510-8567
Phone: 059-354-1111
Website: https://www.hospital.city.yokkaichi.mie.jp/index.html
Mie Prefectural General Medical Center
Some laboratories that offer HIV and STI testing are listed through this medical center. These services are usually offered a few times a month.
Services offered:
- HIV and STI testing
Address: 5450-132 Hinaga, Yokkaichi, Mie 510-8561
Phone: 059-345-2321
Website: https://mie-gmc.jp/
Osaka Sexual Health Resources
Kisaki Clinic
This clinic offers services in English, Chinese, and Korean. It offers the IUD, which is very rare in Japan, as an out-of-pocket expense.
Services offered:
- Pill, IUD
- Cancer screening
Address: 2-7-8 Juso Higashi, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka 532-0023
Phone: 06-6476-7233
Website: https://kisaki-clinic.com/
Nishikawa Clinic
This clinic offers a variety of services for women’s health, and has English-speaking gynecologists.
Services offered:
- STI testing
- Pregnancy tests
- Pill
- Cancer screening
Address: 5-1 Hakodonocho, Higashiosaka, Osaka 579-8038
Phone: 072-983-7088
Website: http://nishikawaclinic.jp/
Public and Welfare Health Centers
Public and Welfare Health centers are the easiest way to get tested. There are three: in Kita, Chuo, and Yodogawa wards. Testing is free, anonymous, and available without appointments. English is not spoken there.
Services offered:
- HIV, syphilis, and chlamydia testing
Venues: Kita, Chuo, Yodogawa Wards Public Health and Welfare Center
Website: https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/kenko/page/0000549405.html
Kyoto Public Health Resources
Testing Centers In Every Ward
The city offers free, anonymous testing in every ward, with no appointment needed. Note that testing is only done for a few hours a week. There are generally no English-speaking staff members, so bring a friend along.
Services offered:
- STI and HIV testing
Fushimi Ward: 075-611-1161 (Fridays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
Higashiyama Ward: 075-561-1191 (Mondays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
Kamigyo Ward: 075-432-3221 (Tuesdays, 14:30 – 16:00)
Kita Ward: 075-432-1181 (Thursdays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
Minami Ward: 075-681-3111 (Tuesdays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
Nishikyo Ward: 075-392-5690 (Tuesdays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
Sakyo Ward: 075-702-1219 (Fridays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
Shimogyo Ward: 075-371-7101 (Wednesdays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
Ukyo Ward: 075-861-2177 (Tuesdays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
Yamashina Ward: 075-592-3050 (Fridays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
Kumamoto Sexual Health Resources
Kumamoto City Public Health Center
This hospital offers a variety of STI testing from blood samples. They are open all week. They are not known to speak English.
Services offered:
- HIV, syphilis, and chlamydia testing
Address: 5 Chome-1-1 Oe, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, 862-0971
Phone: 096-364-3185
Website: https://www.city.kumamoto.jp/hpkiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&id=1653
Suizenji Hifuka Iin (水前寺こころのクリニック)
This clinic offers paying, anonymous HIV and varied STI testings (Herpes, Gonorrhea, Genital Warts, Crabs, Syphilis, Chlamydia). They work on a first come, first served basis. The staff speaks little English.
Services offered:
- HIV and various STI testings
Address: 2 Chome-19-3 Suizenji, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, 862-0950
Phone: 09-6285-1580
Website: https://www.suizenji-kokoro.jp/
Kagoshima Sexual Health Resources
Kagoshimashi Central Health Center
They offer anonymous HIV and STI testing twice a week during a small window. Most of the tests are free.
Services offered:
- HIV and STI testing
Address: 2 Chome-25-1-11 Kamoike, Kagoshima, 890-0063
Phone: 099-258-2364
Website: https://www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp/kenkofukushi/hokenjo/chuho-chiiki/shisetsu/hoken/005.html
Kyushu Sexual Health Resources
Fukuoka Sanno Hospital
This hospital has a big gynecology department. Services are offered in English and Chinese.
Services offered:
- Pill
- Cancer screening
- Infertility treatment
Address: 3 Chome-6-45 Momochihama, Sawara Ward, Fukuoka, 814-0001
Phone: 092-832-1100
Website: https://f-sanno.kouhoukai.or.jp/
Hokkaido Sexual Health Resources
Kin-ikyo Sapporo Hospital
This hospital offers HIV and STI testing. Noteworthily, it has Japanese sign language interpretation.
Services offered:
- HIV and STI testing
- Gynecology
Address: 1 Chome-9-22 Kikusui 4 Jo, Shiroishi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 003-0804
Phone: 011-811-2246
Website: http://www.satsubyo.com/
Conclusion
Sexual health pre- or post-exposure is extremely important. Whether you are a man, woman, or anything in-between, this concerns you. This is why it is extremely important that access to these resources in several languages is needed. We hope our article helped you. Please check out our related articles:
