Living and studying in Japan can be an adventure, but it can also be overwhelming at times. On top of a jam-packed study schedule or the stress of working long hours, you’re also diving headfirst into a new way of life, a totally different culture, and the Japanese language that may leave you tongue-tied. Along the way, you may be thinking, do I need mental health care services while I’m in Japan? The answer is, maybe! It all depends on how you’re feeling. If you’re feeling a little off, or like you can’t cope with day-to-day life, then it might be a good idea to seek out some professional help. 

So how do you get mental health care in Japan? Well, it is a little different than what you might be used to in your home country. You can go to a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a counselor, support groups, or even use anonymous hotlines, but how accessible is mental health support in Japan for foreigners? In this blog post, we’ll give you a rundown of all the different options for mental health care services in Japan so you can decide what’s best for you.

Jump to:

• Understanding Cultural Differences
• Public vs Private Mental Health Care
• Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Psychosomatic Doctors in Japan
• Finding Mental Health Care Services in Japan
• TELL Japan
• Average Cost of Services
• Mental Health Apps and Online Services
• Mental Health Cafes!?
• Reach Out to Others
• Conclusion

Understanding Cultural Differences in Mental Health in Japan

Mental health practices in Japan are unique compared to other countries, largely due to cultural differences and societal norms. In Japan, there is a strong emphasis on the collective over the individual, and mental health is often stigmatized and viewed as a personal weakness or failure.

Additionally, be aware that cultural norms around talking about emotions may be different than those in other countries; it’s not uncommon for Japanese people to avoid discussing their feelings openly or directly. As a result, people avoid seeking help for mental health issues in Japan compared to other countries.

On top of that, mental health support is generally not covered by National Health Insurance, which makes some people even more reluctant to seek help because of the expensive cost.

Public vs Private Mental Health Care in Japan

First, I want to clarify that in general, there are two options for seeking mental health care—public or private. Public services are offered through local hospitals or community centers and usually require a referral from your doctor as well as proof of residency or legal status. Private services offer more flexibility but tend to be more expensive than public services because they do not accept insurance payments. However, many private clinics offer sliding scale fees based on your income level so it’s worth checking out if you are looking for affordable care. 

Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Psychosomatic Doctors in Japan

Psychologists: Psychologists, or shinrigakusha (心理学者), are not medical doctors, but they do have specialized training in mental health. You do not need a referral from your GP to see a psychologist in Japan. You can simply make an appointment at any hospital or clinic that offers psychological services. As psychologists do not have medical training, they cannot prescribe medication.

Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists, or seishinkai (精神科医), are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. In order to see a psychiatrist in Japan, you will first need to see your general practitioner (GP) and get a referral. Once you have a referral, you can make an appointment with a psychiatrist at any hospital or clinic that offers psychiatric services. As psychiatrists have medical training, they can prescribe medication. So if you might be struggling with a mental health issue such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder and you need medication to help treat it, you’ll need to see a psychiatrist.

Psychosomatic Doctors: Psychosomatic or shinshinigaku (心身医学) doctors are psychiatrists with a psychosomatic focus. This field focuses on physical illnesses that are brought on by mental illness and looks at how to treat both. Unlike the other two specialists, their service is usually covered by National Health Insurance. Oftentimes, doctors try to go for holistic methods first. But if they prove to be ineffective, they can prescribe medication.

Finding Mental Health Care Services in Japan

There are a few ways to find mental health care services in Japan. One way is to search online directories such as the Japanese Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy’s website or the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s website.

Of course, accessing mental health in Japan can be harder for international students or foreigners. Not a lot of clinics in Japan provide English language support (or other languages). Even then, there might be some language and cultural barriers when consulting with your doctor. If you’re living in a remote area or the countryside in Japan, it can be challenging to find mental health support

The IMHPJ is another great tool to find mental health care providers. IMHPJ is an acronym for ‘International Mental Health Professionals Japan’ and it is a wonderful directory of mental healthcare providers and services that was created in 1997 to help those of other nationalities living in Japan have more access to mental healthcare. Upon writing this article, there were 49 therapists in the database and 33 were accepting clients.

Tokyo Mental Health also provides counseling, therapy, psychological assessment, and psychiatry services in English. You can schedule an appointment online or in-person if you are situated in Tokyo or Okinawa.

You can also find mental health care providers through private hospitals or clinics. However, these tend to be more expensive than public hospitals or clinics. 

Another resource to look into is GaijinPot Health. They have a suicide prevention line, but it may not be available at odd hours as it’s not 24 hours. 

TELL Japan

TELL Japan is such another great resource for foreigners living in or visiting Japan. It stands for Tokyo English Life Line. Counselors at TELL are all bilingual, meaning they speak both English and Japanese. They specialize in providing counseling on issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, and more. You can speak to them in English and anonymously. In addition to private sessions with a counselor, TELL also offers group therapy and workshops that focus on specific topics such as mindfulness or assertiveness training. 

If private counseling isn’t your thing but you still need someone to talk to about your problems, then don’t worry. TELL also offers free support groups throughout Tokyo as well as online forums where people can connect with each other and discuss their experiences. These groups are open to anyone who needs help or just wants to talk about their problems with someone who understands them. 

Further, TELL has an online blog where people can read articles about mental health issues written by counselors and experts from around the world. They also offer telephone counseling services for those who need help but can’t make it to one of their offices for an appointment. And finally, they have an official website where people can search for mental health providers in their area and contact them directly if needed.  

Similar to TELL, Yorisoi Hotline also offers consultation on a number of issues and in eleven languages last time I checked! There is also Inochi no Denwa, a Japanese-only directory of suicide hotlines in every prefecture.

Finally, there are also psychiatric hospitals in Japan that provide mental health services. These are typically reserved for people with more severe mental illnesses who require hospitalization.

Once you’ve found a therapist you’d like to see or a service you’d like to use, it’s time to figure out how you’ll pay for it.

Average Cost of Services for Mental Health Care in Japan

Most Japanese health insurance plans cover at least some of the cost of therapy sessions, so be sure to check with your provider before making any appointments. Even if your plan doesn’t cover therapy costs completely, many therapists offer sliding-scale payment plans that allow patients to pay what they can afford.

Counseling and therapy sessions tend to cost between 20,000 and 30,000 yen (a bit less than $200-$300) per hour. If you see a counselor or therapist at a public hospital or clinic, you can expect to pay at the lower end of that range (20,000 yen). If you see a counselor or therapist at a private hospital or clinic, you can expect to pay at the higher end of that range (30,000 yen). 

Psychiatric hospitals typically charge between 10,000 and 20,000 yen per day for treatment. However, if you require hospitalization for an extended period of time (more than two weeks), your daily rate may be discounted significantly. For example, Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital offers discounts of 50% for stays longer than one month and 60% for stays longer than three months. 

Mental Health Apps and Online Services for foreigners in japan

There are a number of therapy apps available for those in need of some extra support. These apps can be used to help with anxiety, depression, and stress management. Some of the most popular therapy apps in Japan include: 

• Moodpath: Helps you track your moods and provides you with information about different mental health disorders. 
• Calm App: Helps you manage stress and anxiety by providing you with relaxation techniques and tools. 
• Mindfulness App: The Mindfulness App is an app that helps you focus on the present and live in the moment. 
• Better Help: A top-rated app for talk therapy. It offers audio, texting, and video therapy internationally. It costs $60-$90/week, billed every 4 weeks.
• Talkspace: A top-rated app for comprehensive support with depression. It has a variety of therapy options and providers. The cost depends on what subscription plan you choose but ranges from $69-$109 for weekly plans and $125 per psychiatry session.

Mental Health Cafes!?

There are also some cafes that promote mental health through their service. One such cafe is called Anakuma Cafe. The name means “bear in a hole”, and it’s a cafe located in Harajuku where you get your drinks and food served by a bear through a hole in the wall. Surprisingly, Anakuma isn’t the only such cafe in Japan. There is another one called Kuma no Te (Bear Paw Cafe) located in Osaka. The employees who work behind the wall are actually students of the Mental Support Academy in Umeda. Working at Bear Paw Cafe is a small part of their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.  

At both cafes, customers order from a tablet and there is no face-to-face contact. Not only is this beneficial for the anxiety of the employees, but also for customers who may have anxiety and seek contactless service.

Two other cafes that I learned about in Tokyo that support mental health in their own ways are HIDEAWAY and Ojizo Coffee. HIDEAWAY’s goal is to promote understanding of mental health issues. The owner of the bar was inspired to do so by Project Semicolon, an organization that deals with mental health. HIDEAWAY uses Project Semicolon’s logo on its own products, and the logo is meant to be a sign that whoever carries it is in solidarity with those struggling with mental health issues. Ojizo Coffee–the other cafe I mentioned–donates 10% of its proceeds to mental health charities and services in Tokyo. If you want to donate to a specific organization, the owners will donate to it if possible.

getting help and reaching out in japan

Finally, while the last thing you may want to do is muster up the courage or energy to reconnect with loved ones, it could be very good for your mental health. Oftentimes, the loneliness of living abroad can bring on or exacerbate mental issues. An effective way to combat feelings of loneliness could be to reach out to loved ones back home. Set up a time for a phone call or a video chat to catch up with your parents, a sibling or one of your best friends in Japan. You may feel much more grounded and happy after that chat with them!

Conclusion

It definitely takes some time, effort, and resources to adjust to living in Japan. But know that if you ever feel overwhelmed, there is a wide range of support services available for your mental health. Although finding the right support can be very challenging, it’s important to remember that there are people out there who are willing and able to help you on your journey toward better mental wellness. So don’t give up hope! Putting yourself first matters—it’s important to take the time (and money) to invest in therapies that can help you make the most out of life in Japan. Even if speaking with a therapist isn’t right for you right now, remember that there are so many other creative ways to stay connected with mental health experts who can be your source of support while abroad. With willingness and dedication, accessing quality care from Japan is possible!

Although Coto School Finder is not a professional mental health service, we are still passionate about helping students live their best lives while studying in Japan. We know that starting a new journey in Japan can be scary and lonely, but we are here to support you every step of the way throughout your application process!

Want to live and study in Japan? Find the right Japanese language school with our free support!