Medical resources in Japan
As an LGBTQ+ individual, it may be a daunting task to meet medical professionals. What if they judge me? What if they don’t understand my needs? What if they dismiss my identity? This is especially hard for transgender people, who need special counseling and treatment that isn’t widely available in Japan.
The fear may be even stronger in Japan, which is not known to be particularly LGBTQ+ friendly – although that is more due to ignorance than hatred (as discussed in our article about bisexual life in Japan). This page will help you learn about some judgment-free, friendly, and for the most part English-speaking practitioners around Japan.
Tokyo Medical Resources For LGBTQ
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
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:
- HIV testing, PEP, PrEP, and Sexually transmitted Infections
- Pregnancy tests, Contraception Pills and Emergency Contraception Pills
- Erectile Dysfunction Pills and Premature Ejaculation Pills
Address: 3-39-3 Yushima, Bunkyo Ku, Tokyo 113-0034
Phone: 03-5817-4415
Website: https://ph-clinic.org/en/
Jiyugaoka MC Clinic
This small clinic in the heart of Tokyo offers a variety of services, treatments, and surgeries for transgender people (men, women, and x). It is rare in Japan to find doctors who recognize the needs of non-binary genders. The doctor and staff speak very little to no English, but are all very patient with translation apps.
Services offered:
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Mastectomy for FtM and FtX
Address: 1-3-17 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0035
Phone: 03-3717-3514
Website: https://www.gid-mcclinic.com/
Women's Medical Clinic LUNA
LUNA, in Yokohama, offers extensive treatments for transgender women. The specialist, Ikebukuro Shin, speaks basic English. Although it is away from central Tokyo, the friendliness of this doctor and the services offered make it worth the trip.
Services offered (not full list):
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Sex reassignment surgery preparation and rehabilitation
- Hair removal
- STI testing
- Counseling on various topics
Address: 1-32 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0861
Phone: 045-680-1226
Osaka Medical Resources For LGBTQ
Taiyuji-cho Taniguchi Clinic
This large clinic in Kita ward has several departments that treat LGBTQ+ health, such as HIV & STI testing or hormone replacement therapy (noteworthily, following foreign guidelines rather than Japanese guidelines). Some staff members speak a little bit of English.
Services offered:
- HIV (treatment, PEP/PrEP, antigen-antibody, NAT) and Non-HIV (sexually) transmitted diseases
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Pills, emergency contraception
Address: 1-3 Nozakicho, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0055
Phone: 06-6364-4177
Website: https://t-internationalclinic.jp/
IDATEN Clinic
This specialized clinic has medical professionals trained in helping and treating LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender individuals. Their hormone replacement therapy prices are very low compared to the rest of the country.
Services offered:
- Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing and Treatment, HIV prevention drugs and STD prevention drugs, PrEP/PEP/Doxipep
- Hormone replacement therapy and counseling for surgeries
- Male Menopause (LOH), Premature ejaculation medication
- AGA Treatment
- Pill, Morning-after pill
Address: 4-5-2 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0041
Phone: 06-6867-7845
Website: https://idaten.clinic/
Osaka Fukuda Clinic
This clinic located in Chuo has a small department for transgender healthcare. The director, Ryo Fukuda, is an Advisor to the NPO Kansai GID Network. The staff does not speak English.
Services offered:
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Counseling for GID certification, change of family registry, and gender-affirming surgeries
Address: 2 Chome-14-21, Chuo Ward, Shimanouchi, Osaka 542-0082
Phone: 06-6213-5505
Website: http://www.fukucli-5505.com/
Counseling LAB SORA
The doctor of this practice, Miho Nashiya, is extremely well-versed in LGBTQ+ notions and culture, including non-binary intersex, aro/ace, and more. She can help you get a GID certificate. Unfortunately, she cannot do counseling in English.
Services offered:
- In-person, online, and at-home counseling
Address: 2-3-15 Matsuzakicho, Abeno-ku, Osaka
Phone: 070-5263-7138
E-mail: sora-blue@counseling-lab.com
Website: https://www.counseling-lab.com/
Country-Wide
Nagumo Clinic GID Center
They are the most renowned Gender Incongruity Disorder centers in the country. Their doctors are unbelievably professional and knowledgeable. A limited few of the staff and doctors speak English.
Locations include:
- Tokyo
- Nagoya
- Osaka
- Fukuoka
Services include:
- Mastectomy and breast augmentation for transgender people
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Breast cancer-related counseling and surgeries
- Other cosmetic and plastic surgeries
Website: https://www.nagumo.or.jp/
TELL (Tokyo English Life Line)
TELL has not only a multi-language lifeline available for most of the week / day, they also offer therapy in English in-person. They are well-versed in LGBTQ+ topics, and they exhibit their services at Tokyo Rainbow Pride every year. The staff is young and friendly.
Locations include:
- Countrywide hotline (0800-300-8355) available from Saturday 09:00 – Monday 23:00 (continuous service), Tuesday – Thursday 09:00 – 23:00, and Friday 09:00 – 02:00
- Tokyo
- Okinawa
Services include:
- Phone lifeline and chat platform
- Online and in-person counseling
Website: https://telljp.com/
Tokyo Mental Health
Tokyo Mental Health is one of the few English-speaking psychiatry clinics (meaning, able to prescribe medication) in Japan. Their doctors are well-versed in LGBTQ+ issues and can help you get your GID certificate.
Locations include:
- Tokyo
- Okinawa
Services include:
- Online and in-person counseling, assessment, and prescriptions
Website: https://www.tokyomentalhealth.com/
Conclusion
There are some LGBTQ+ specialized practices all over the country, but it may be hard to find them. Although, if you are LGBTQ+ but only need general care, it is widely accepted that doctors in Japan are not judgemental and rather accepting of all walks of life.
We hope our article helped you. Please check out our related articles:
