Like most people I’m not keen on visits to the dentist and tend to put them off for as long as possible. However, if I want to keep this set of gnashers in good nick then it’s important to get them checked out occasionally. When I do so, I want a dentist who can explain things to me in English and I want someone I trust. I’ve had bad experiences with unscrupulous dentists, in both my home country and here, who are a little too keen on putting multiple fillings in teeth before any cavities appear! So having found a dentist I can rely on – I’m sticking with him. My dentist of choice is Takahiro Makimura at the Makimura Dental Clinic. He’s a friendly chap and even if he doesn’t treat you personally he is always on hand to explain what is going on. And he gives good ongoing dental care advice too. I have found there to be very little waiting time when I’ve gone there, so none of that soul-draining time in a waiting room listening to the shrill whining of drills. The service is quick and efficient and no one is interested in wasting your time or your money. Even though I live quite far from the clinic now, I still go back there because I know that at Makimura Dental Clinic I can have peace of mind.
Makimura Dental Clinic is a short walk south of Matsugasaki Station (on the subway Karasuma line), on the south-east corner of Matsugasaki Street and Hokusen Street. Here is a map.
Here are the opening hours:
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 – 13:00 / 15:00 – 19:00
Saturday: 9:00 – 13:00 / 15:00 – 18:00
Closed on Thursdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Call this number to book an appointment: 075-712-8148
You can check out their website here and download a patient questionnaire here.
If this clinic is in an inconvenient location for you then you can always check the list of English speaking doctors and dentists on the KCIF site here.
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Sakabe International Clinic
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Jon says
August 20, 2011 at 11:21 pmCan’t thank you enough for this recommendation, Michael.
My wife was caught short with some severe wisdom tooth pain while we were passing through Kyoto. On finding the blog we took your advice and the clinic found us an appointment that very morning (and on a saturday too). Dr Makimura was superb- polite, listening and expert. And the bill was less than we would have paid at home in London!
Sincere thanks,
Jon
Michael Lambe says
August 21, 2011 at 10:25 pmI’m very glad it was useful for you. He is a nice chap, isn’t he?
Ariel says
March 12, 2013 at 8:33 pmThanks so much for the rec. I’ve been needing to go to the dentist for ages, but there’s so many in Kyoto, I had no idea where to go. Tonight, one of my molar’s fillings came loose, so now I need an emergency appointment. How happy I am to know this is the dentist I pass on my way to work every day!
Donatella says
August 16, 2014 at 11:41 pmRecommmendation still valid in August 2014: Dr. Makimura is kind, expert and not devastatingly expensive.
Cian says
August 22, 2014 at 8:43 pmThank you so much for this recommendation Michael.
I ran into trouble with an old filling and was experiencing a lot of pain. I rang and got an appointment for the very next day. Dr. Makimura was fantastic, explained really well what the situation was and what he was doing. Very thorough, identified the problem as well as checking around the area and fixing issues there too. And as Jon pointed out was cheaper than at home in Dublin.
If I lived in Kyoto I’d be much more likely to go for the regular checkups!
Many thanks,
Cian
Michael Lambe says
August 25, 2014 at 10:13 pmI’m glad this post was so helpful for you, Cian!
Cian says
September 19, 2014 at 6:08 pmMichael, do you happen to have an email address for Dr Makimura? He was to send me on my report and sine xrays but I think his secretary might have taken down my email address wrong.
As I’ve returned home to Dublin I can’t just call out to him!
Thanks
Michael Lambe says
September 19, 2014 at 6:17 pmSorry Cian, I don’t know but there is a contact form on the site you might use: http://www.makimura-dc.com/html/reserve.html
Kim says
January 9, 2016 at 9:06 pmThanks for the recommendation. I went there today and the doctor was very nice.
Initially I lost my retainer and wanted to make a new one, but he said I didn’t need it anymore. Also, he found some cavities and filled it right away. He also recommends me to remove my wisdom tooth, since it may be pushing my teeth later.
He explains what he will do step-by-step. I’ll go see him again next month about the wisdom tooth.
Matt says
April 5, 2016 at 1:03 pmStill good as of 04/2016. Went for a filling filing which was causing pain and he explained everything clearly, was thorough and very friendly. Got an appointment on the same day (within an hot of ringing in fact!) Definitely recommended!
Michael Lambe says
April 5, 2016 at 4:12 pmGood to know!