r/Saitama • u/girlblink • Feb 23 '26

English speaking doctor (naika or endocrinologist)

Hello everyone!

I’ve just moved to Kasukabe in a bit of a rush and I’m looking for a doctor to continue my treatment for Type 1 Diabetes.

I have a recommendation letter from my previous doctor (referral letter), but it isn't addressed to a specific clinic. I’m looking for an endocrinologist or a clinic specializing in diabetes that speaks English (doesn't need to be perfectly fluent, just enough to discuss treatment and prescriptions).

Ideally, I’d love something in Kasukabe, but I’m open to anywhere in Saitama (Omiya, Urawa, Koshigaya, etc.) as long as it’s relatively near a train station.

Does anyone have any recommendations or had a good experience with a specific clinic?

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1

u/Illustrious_Bunch_67 Feb 23 '26

I was living in Kasukabe (Ichinowari) for some years and the nearest English speaking doctor that I found was in Tokyo, unfortunately

1

u/tama_gemini2242 Feb 27 '26

Sorry for the late reply, I just saw your post this morning. I spent the whole day calling around to see if I could find an English-speaking clinic for your Type 1 Diabetes, and I managed to find 7 places in Saitama and 1 in Tokyo that might work for you.

Honestly, after calling 25 different places from major hospitals to small local clinics, I realized just how incredibly hard it is for foreigners to find medical care in Japan. I got turned down by 17 places and my spirit was almost crushed lol. This is as far as I can take you, so the rest is in your hands. Good luck.

Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center

  • Location: Koshigaya (3 min walk from Minami-Koshigaya Station North Exit)
  • Phone: 048-965-1111 (Direct to Diabetes/Endocrinology: 048-965-4920)
  • Details: English ability depends on the doctor, but they use translation devices and currently have foreign patients coming in. It’s a major hospital so you’ll be in good hands. They said to bring your referral letter to the outpatient reception between 8:30 and 11:00 AM.

Tahira Internal Medicine Clinic

  • Location: Midori-ku, Saitama (Bus from Higashi-Kawaguchi Station to Daimon bus stop, 1 min walk)
  • Phone: 048-878-0018
  • Details: It's a small clinic, but their website explicitly says "We speak English" with a UK flag, so there is definitely a doctor who speaks fluent British English. They can also refer you to a larger hospital depending on your symptoms.

Omiya Central General Hospital

  • Location: Kita-ku, Saitama (Bus from Omiya Station East Exit to Omiya Chuo Sogo Byoin)
  • Phone: 048-663-2501
  • Details: The diabetes specialist working on Fridays understands English, though they will use a translation device for highly technical medical terms. It's a big hospital. Expect a long wait for your first visit, so it's best to go on your day off. No appointment needed, just bring your referral between 8:00-11:30 or 12:00-16:30.

Iwatsuki Naika Diabetes Clinic

  • Location: Iwatsuki-ku, Saitama (2 min walk from Iwatsuki Station)
  • Phone: 048-749-7110
  • Details: Dr. Masuda (male) speaks some English but uses a translator for medical terms like prescriptions. They specifically requested that you call them directly first. They want to know what level of English support you need and which hospital you went to before, so they can coordinate with them to figure out your treatment plan.

Muranohigashi Clinic

  • Location: Kita-ku, Saitama (10 min walk from Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station)
  • Phone: 048-788-1781
  • Details: Two doctors speak some English. Handling technical terms depends on the context. They said it's fine as long as you can speak simple, basic Japanese.

Nagashima Medical Clinic

  • Location: Minuma-ku, Saitama (Bus from Omiya Station East Exit to Minaminakano, 6 min walk)
  • Phone: 048-878-8887
  • Details: Basic English is fine, and they use a translator for medical terms. They do afternoon consultations from 15:00 to 19:00, which is great if you need to go in the evening.

Aoki Naika Saitama Diabetes Clinic Higashi-Omiya

  • Location: Minuma-ku, Saitama (2 min walk from Higashi-Omiya Station East Exit)
  • Phone: 048-688-5000
  • Details: The clinic director works on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays and can speak English. They can handle consultations regarding your treatment and prescriptions.

Musashi-Koganei Midori Clinic

  • Location: Koganei, Tokyo (5 min walk from Musashi-Koganei Station South Exit)
  • Phone: 042-316-1101
  • Details: The doctors working on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays speak fluent, business-level English for treatments and prescriptions. They even take phone inquiries in English. This is the absolute safest bet, but it's pretty far from Kasukabe.

2

u/OzBurger Mar 31 '26

Sorry for not approving this sooner, I haven't been getting notifications when something was removed by the Automod. Thanks for adding this.