English
Higashimori Clinic – Information for International Patients
1. Overview
Higashimori Clinic is a community-based medical clinic located in Hirano, Osaka.For nearly 100 years, four generations of physicians in our family have been supporting the health of local residents.
We provide:
- General internal medicine
- Gastroenterology and digestive disease care
- Gastroscopy and colonoscopy with sedation
- Home and palliative care
- Health check-ups and occupational health services
- In-clinic pharmacy and online booking
Our goal is to offer safe, reliable and comfortable medical care to both local and overseas patients.
2. Greetings
100 Years of Trust, Looking Toward the FutureFour Generations Dedicated to the Health of Our Community
Since 1927, our clinic has been rooted in the local community, with four generations of physicians supporting the health and well-being of its people.
My father, the third-generation physician, devoted his life to local healthcare, and his passion continues to guide me as I carry forward our family tradition.
As the fourth-generation physician, I am proud to serve both local and overseas patients, providing care that is thoughtful, reliable, and tailored to each individual.
Home care and palliative care are also close to my heart, supporting patients and their families so everyone can live their daily lives with comfort and dignity.
With deep roots in the community and a commitment to excellence, our clinic strives to contribute to your healthy life every day.
3. About Our Doctor and Team
Dr. Akira Higashimori
- Medical Director, Higashimori Clinic
- Board-certified in General Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology
- Doctor of Medicine （Ph.D.）
- Certified endoscopist and instructor of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society
- Certified industrial physician
Clinical and international experience
Dr. Akira has worked at university hospitals and core community hospitals in Osaka, treating a wide range of internal and digestive diseases.
From 2014 to 2016, he served as a visiting researcher and clinician at the Chinese University of Hong Kong （Prince of Wales Hospital）, focusing on endoscopic treatment and clinical care for patients with esophageal, gastric and colorectal diseases.
These experiences in both Japan and Hong Kong help us provide endoscopy and medical care that are safe, evidence-based and considerate of different cultural backgrounds.
Language Support
- Dr. Akira can consult in English.
- Staff members who speak English and Chinese are available, mainly on weekends.
- Email and phone inquiries in English or Chinese are welcome.
- We can also use pictures, plastic models and translation devices during the consultation to support communication.
Please do not worry if your Japanese is limited. We will do our best to support you.
4. What We Can Do for You
At Higashimori Clinic, we offer a wide range of services centered on digestive diseases and general internal medicine.
General Internal Medicine
- Fever, cold, cough, influenza
- Headache, dizziness, fatigue
- High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and other lifestyle-related diseases
- Anemia and general health concerns
Gastroenterology
- Heartburn, reflux, chest discomfort
- Stomach pain, nausea, bloating
- Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Blood in the stool, suspected hemorrhoids
- Management and follow-up of Helicobacter pylori infection
Endoscopy （Gastroscopy & Colonoscopy）
- Early detection and prevention of esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancers
- Detailed investigation of symptoms such as anemia, abdominal pain or bleeding
- Surveillance endoscopy after polyp or cancer treatment
Home and Palliative Care
- Regular home visits for patients who have difficulty visiting the clinic
- Support for patients with severe illnesses and their families
- End-of-life care at home, focusing on comfort and dignity
Health Check-ups & Occupational Health
- General health check-ups for individuals
- Company medical examinations
- Occupational health services by a certified industrial physician
- Advice on workplace environment and workers’ health
Vaccinations & Preventive Care
- Vaccinations for adults （e.g. influenza, pneumonia, shingles and others）
- Counseling on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle
5. Endoscopy: Gastroscopy & Colonoscopy
We provide gastroscopy and colonoscopy with a focus on safety, comfort and early cancer detection in the esophagus, stomach and colon.
1） Safe and Gentle Examinations
- Performed by a board-certified endoscopist with extensive experience
- Use of high-quality endoscopy systems
- Sedation is available so that many patients can sleep comfortably during the procedure
- Continuous monitoring of vital signs during and after the examination
Our aim is to minimize discomfort and anxiety while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy.
2） Weekend and Same-Day Endoscopy
- Endoscopy is available on Saturdays and selected Sundays
- Same-day bidirectional endoscopy （gastroscopy and colonoscopy on the same day） may be possible depending on your condition and schedule
- Please contact us in advance by phone or email for details
This schedule is especially helpful for people who are busy on weekdays or visiting Osaka for a short time.
3） Tailored Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy
Good bowel preparation is essential for an accurate colonoscopy.
At our clinic, we:
- Select the type and volume of laxative based on each patient’s age, health condition and previous experience
- Provide detailed instructions in simple Japanese and English
- Try to reduce discomfort while keeping the colon clean enough for safe and effective examination
4） After the Examination
- The doctor explains the findings using images from the endoscope
- If a biopsy is taken, the results are usually available later
- Biopsy results and treatment plans can be explained at a follow-up visit or, in some cases, via online consultation
6. Visit & Appointment
Location
Address
Higashimori Clinic （Medical Corporation Higashimori Clinic）3-5-2 Hirano honmachi, Hirano-ku, Osaka 547-0044, Japan
Nearest stations
- JR Yamatoji Line “Hirano” Station – about 10 minutes on foot （South Exit）
- Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line “Hirano” Station – about 10 minutes on foot （Exit 2）
How to Make an Appointment
By phone
Please call us during clinic opening hours. English and Chinese speaking staff are available on weekends.
Online booking
24-hour web reservation is available.
LINE reservation
Available mainly in Japanese. English support is possible, especially on weekends, when English- or Chinese-speaking staff are present.
If you are unsure how to book, you may also send us an email in English or Chinese.
7. Fees, Insurance and Payment （Q&A Style）
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How much will it cost?
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It depends on the treatment and whether you have Japanese health insurance.
We calculate medical expenses based on the official Japanese medical fee system.
- With Japanese insurance （70% coverage）, a basic consultation is usually around ¥3,000.
- Without insurance, a basic consultation is around ¥10,000.
If additional tests （such as blood tests, X-rays or endoscopy） are needed, the total cost will be higher.
We will explain the expected cost before any major test or procedure.
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Do you issue receipts for insurance or reimbursement?
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Yes, we issue detailed receipts in Japanese free of charge.
The receipt includes:
- Date of treatment
- Diagnosis and treatment details
- Our clinic’s name and address
- The doctor’s name
If you need a receipt in English, please let us know in advance. We can prepare one for you.
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Do you accept credit cards?
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Yes.
- For both treatment covered by Japanese public health insurance and self-pay （non-insurance） treatment, you can pay by credit card, electronic money, and QR code payment, including Alipay and Paypay.
- Cash payment is also available.
If you are unsure which payment methods are currently available, please feel free to ask our staff.
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Do you provide health check-ups?
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Yes.
We offer:
- General health check-ups for individuals
- Medical check-ups for employees
- Occupational health services provided by Dr. Akira, who is a certified industrial physician
If you need a medical certificate or special documents, please let us know in advance.
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What kind of treatment does your clinic offer?
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Our clinic offers general internal medicine and gastroenterology.
Dr. Akira’s main specialty is digestive diseases and endoscopy.We focus on:
- Early diagnosis and prevention of esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancers
- Management of stomach and intestinal symptoms
- Comprehensive care for patients with chronic digestive diseases
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Can the doctor and staff speak English or Chinese?
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Yes.
- Dr. Akira can consult in English.
- We have one trilingual staff member （Japanese, English and Chinese） who is mainly available on weekends.
- We can use pictures, plastic models and translation devices to support communication.
Please feel free to visit us even if you do not speak Japanese well.
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How can I contact the clinic in English or Chinese?
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You can contact us:
- By phone – please mention that you prefer English or Chinese
- By email – you may write in English or Chinese
We will arrange an English- or Chinese-speaking staff member to assist you, especially on weekends.
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How much does a gastroscopy （upper endoscopy） cost?
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The cost depends on whether you use Japanese health insurance and what kind of examination or treatment is needed.
Below are typical examples at our clinic:
With Japanese health insurance （30% copayment）
- Simple diagnostic gastroscopy: around ¥5,000–¥8,000
- If additional tests （such as biopsy） are needed, the cost may be higher.
Without Japanese insurance （self-pay）
- From around ¥20,000–¥30,000 for a basic diagnostic gastroscopy.
If you would like a more precise estimate, please contact us in advance and let us know your symptoms and whether you have Japanese insurance.
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How much does a colonoscopy cost?
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The cost varies depending on Japanese health insurance, the use of sedation, and whether polyps are removed.
With Japanese health insurance （30% copayment）
- Diagnostic colonoscopy only: around ¥8,000–¥15,000
- If polyps are removed or multiple biopsies are taken, the cost can increase to around ¥20,000–¥30,000 or more.
Without Japanese insurance （self-pay）
- From around ¥30,000–¥50,000 for a diagnostic colonoscopy
- Additional fees are required if polyp removal or treatment is performed.
Before your examination, we will explain the expected cost and obtain your consent.
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Do I need a referral letter to visit the clinic or have an endoscopy?
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A referral letter is helpful but not required.You can visit us without a referral. If you already have medical reports or previous test results, please bring them with you.
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Can I come without an appointment?
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We recommend making an appointment by phone or online, especially for endoscopy.For general internal medicine, walk-in visits may be possible, but you might need to wait depending on the crowding.If you are feeling very unwell, please tell our staff when you arrive.
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I am staying in Japan for a short time. Can I still visit your clinic?
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Yes.
Short-term visitors and travelers are welcome.If you do not have Japanese health insurance, your visit will be self-pay, and we will calculate the fee based on the Japanese medical fee system.
We can also issue a detailed receipt so that you may claim reimbursement from your travel insurance, depending on your policy.
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Can you provide medical certificates or reports in English?
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Yes.
We can prepare medical certificates or reports in English upon request.
Please let us know in advance what kind of document you need （for example, for work, school, insurance, or travel）.
8. Clinic Information
Clinic Name
Higashimori Clinic（Medical Corporation Higashimori Clinic）
Address
3-5-2 Hirano Honmachi, Hirano-ku, Osaka 547-0044, Japan
Telephone
06-6791-0067
- Outpatient clinic in the morning on weekdays, Saturday and selected Sundays
- Endoscopy and home visits mainly during the daytime
- Weekend and same-day endoscopy available （by reservation）
We look forward to supporting your health during your stay in Japan and in your daily life in Osaka.
