I’m starting a new job soon and so had to have a general health check-up; blood test, blood pressure, x-ray, electrocardiogram, height, weight, the full works. I went to Sakabe International Clinic and it was fast, efficient and the doctor as well as being a fluent English speaker has an excellent bedside manner. No matter how good your Japanese ability is, when it comes to health matters, it’s comforting to have someone explain matters to you in your own language. So if you have any medical problems or emergencies while you are in Kyoto, I recommend Sakabe International Clinic.
To find it go north from Oike on Gokoumachi Street. It’s on the west side just south of Nijo Dori. Here is a most convenient map.
Tel: 075-231-1624
Opening hours: 9:00 – 12:30 (for mornings please book ahead)
Evenings: 6:30 – 8:30
Jeffrey Friedl says
March 17, 2009 at 7:47 pmYou might want to avail yourself of the morning reservations; I went there last night for a persistent cold, and waited an hour and 40 minutes before seeing a doctor. They could have easily told me ahead of time “the wait will be long… is that okay?” but the head doctor seems to have brought an American lack of respect for a patient’s time with him from The States. Even after seeing a doctor, where most places have your bill and prescription ready in three or four minutes, this place made everyone wait at least 20 minutes. Averaging just one patient every 10 minutes, I don’t know what could have made the paperwork take so long. I don’t think I’ll be visiting them again.
On the other hand, the pharmacy immediately next door was amazing. I was in and out with three prescriptions in 120 seconds, max.
Oh, and I didn’t see anything “international” about the clinic. All paperwork was only Japanese, and none of the staff seemed to speak any English, except the doctor who helpfully knew a few key phrases. Still, when he announced “injection” I was expecting a shot, but later in Japanese talked of an infection.
I don’t doubt that it could be great, if you make a reservation that they honor, for the English-speaking doctor. I didn’t do that, and paid for it with two hours of my life.
mikeylambe says
March 21, 2009 at 1:12 amSorry you had such a long wait. I’ve had very similar experiences to yours (and much longer waits – 4 hours!) in other hospitals and clinics here – even with a reservation! I suppose my good experience this time was in fact down to my having made a morning reservation the day before. I also saw a doctor who spoke excellent English, so obviously not the same one you saw. Still that’s good information for other readers, so thanks for that. Morning reservations are obviously the way to go.
Albert says
May 19, 2011 at 6:13 amDr Sakabe rocks.
Michael Lambe says
May 19, 2011 at 8:09 amHe is indeed a very sound chap.