Hey all, I just have a few questions. I have a chronic illness that can make me sick fairly quickly and has the potential to be fatal. I’m not on deaths door or anything but I do have to take some precautions. I walk a bit slower than most people and take a bunch of meds but nothing too intense. Now my brother is going with me and he has some high anxiety when we don’t have a proper plan for things so I just wanna know, should I get sick and require a hospital visit, is it best to just call an ambulance or is there something else we should do?
Also should the worst case scenario happen and I died, what would my brother need to do? Is there anything specific we need to know that isn’t common sense?
If anyone has any other things they think I should make a plan for when it comes to being a chronically ill tourist in Japan, please let me know, thanks 🙂
by SiegeStarkiller
8 comments
Double check to see if your medicines are allowed in Japan, first off.
Second off, yes always take an ambulance. Hospitals can and do turn away foreigners sometimes, but an ambulance will take you somewhere that can actually treat you.
If you’re feeling sick and or are sick, the officers in the JR train stations can help you. When we where there I’ve seen three instances of different people passed out or unwell being tended to by officers.
Two of them are foreigners and one very drunk local turtling on the side of Shibuya station.
Another thing to be aware of bringing medicine to Japan, if you need to bring more than 1 month supply of prescription medication, or more than one medical device (ie more than one inhaler, more than one syringe, or even just one inhaler and one syringe) you’ll need to apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-Sho. You must apply for and receive the certificate before you travel.
I hope you bought/ will buy medical insuranceÂ
Have your embassy’s contact info handy
Good luck & safe travels
Check you have medical insurance that will cover for this condition, and situation. If not, make sure you have credit cards with high limits, things cost a lot when medical situations arise.
Have a list of important phone numbers, have a plan to be able to call those phone numbers, many tourist phone plans only have data.
Check with your airline, they should be aware of this medical condition, so they can make sure you are fit to fly. All airlines have a medical officer, and drs they consult.
You will probably need specialist insurance but it depends where you are travelling from tbh expect it to be not cheap though
I’d say travel insurance is something to think about. In case of death, there’s a lot to pay attention to. How to proceed with the body, how to get it back to ones home country. All, not that easy. But also if you get really sick you would want appropriate care. The insurance agents will also tell you in great details, what you have to pay attention to.
Recently traveled with an illness. In addition to other input, you can email the ministry to see if your medications are allowed. If you fly into NRT, there is a pharmacy before you get to security/customs where you can ask for specific medications if your meds aren’t allowed. You can also do a search for clinic / the kanji for clinic. If you need help in a pinch but don’t need the ambulance ride.
Also, there are not a lot of places to sit, so if extended periods of walking aggravates your condition(s), include planned breaks or stay near a subway stop for easy returns to your room. If you can’t carry a cane, the umbrellas from 7-11 work in a pinch.
If it is autoimmune, carry your masks and sanitizers. I also carried soap sheets and wipes for the family. The trains are very packed.
Be safe and have fun.