For Non-Japanese Speaking Patients
Information for Patients Who Prefer to Consult in Languages Other Than Japanese
～Outpatient Neurosurgery Services in Tokyo～
Shimotakaido Neurosurgery Clinic (Director: Dr. Satoshi Takahashi, M.D., Ph.D.) offers consultations in English (and partially in German).
About the Doctor
Dr. Satoshi Takahashi, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Shimotakaido Neurosurgery Clinic (Tokyo, Japan)
Dr. Satoshi Takahashi graduated from Keio University School of Medicine in 2002 and completed his doctoral degree (Ph.D.) at Keio University Graduate School of Medicine in 2011. He trained in cerebrovascular neurosurgery at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Germany as a visiting neurosurgeon through the DAAD Scholarship Program.
After returning to Japan, he served at Mihara Memorial Hospital and later as Instructor (2014) and Assistant Professor (2018) in the Department of Neurosurgery, Keio University School of Medicine. In 2025, he founded Shimotakaido Neurosurgery Clinic, located two minutes from Shimotakaido Station, to provide advanced MRI-based outpatient care for brain and cerebrovascular disorders.
Dr. Takahashi is a board-certified neurosurgeon by the Japan Neurosurgical Society, a certified specialist of the Japan Stroke Society, and an appointed Instructor for the Japan Society for the Surgery of Cerebral Stroke.
His clinical expertise includes the diagnosis and preventive management of cerebrovascular diseases such as unruptured intracranial aneurysms, carotid and intracranial artery stenosis, and Moyamoya disease. He aims to deliver precise, compassionate, and community-based neurosurgical care to patients in Tokyo and beyond.
He also has extensive experience in the diagnosis and medication-based treatment of neurological symptoms such as headache and dizziness.
Publications by Dr. Satoshi Takahashi
About Our Clinic
Shimotakaido Neurosurgery Clinic is a community-based neurosurgery outpatient clinic in Tokyo, located a 2-minute walk from Shimotakaido Station (Keio Line / Tokyu Setagaya Line). We provide MRI-driven evaluation and care for headache, dizziness, numbness, memory concerns, and stroke prevention.
Our clinic is conveniently located — about 10 minutes by Keio local train from Shinjuku, or less than 20 minutes from Shibuya via the Inokashira Line with a transfer at Meidaimae Station to the Keio local train.
A board-certified neurosurgeon of the Japan Neurosurgical Society provides careful evaluation and treatment using MRI, focusing on headache, dizziness, numbness, memory disorders, and stroke prevention.
Shimotakaido Neurosurgery Clinic does not perform surgery, including wound care, and does not provide emergency medical services. We are an outpatient clinic that provides diagnosis and prescription-based medical treatment for neurological symptoms.
We also strive to accommodate patients who require consultation in languages other than Japanese during short-term stays or travel in Japan as much as possible.
Available Languages
In addition to Japanese, we can communicate in the following languages:
- English (not fluent, but possible)
- German (not fluent, but possible)
To ensure patient safety and accuracy, translation support tools may be used as needed.
Please understand that we prioritize precise medical explanations.
About Japanese Public Health Insurance
Even if you prefer to receive care in English or German, patients who hold a valid Japanese health insurance card can be seen under standard insurance coverage (regular co-payment applies).
If You Do Not Have Japanese Health Insurance (Self-Pay)
If you are not enrolled in the Japanese public health insurance system, the consultation will be treated as self-pay (private medical service).
Fee calculation:
Japanese national fee points × 15 JPY
Example:
1,000 points ≈ 15,000 JPY
Typical visit including consultation, interview, MRI scan, and prescription: around 45,000 JPY
Translation Support Fee
If you are covered by Japanese insurance but the consultation is conducted entirely in English or German, including when translation software or tools are used, a translation support fee of 11,000 JPY (tax included) will be added.
- This fee is not required if Japanese is primarily used with occasional English/German assistance.
- The purpose of this fee is to ensure medical safety and accurate information sharing and documentation.
English Medical Certificates and Referral Letters
- English medical certificate: 5,500 JPY (tax included)
- English referral letter: 5,500 JPY (tax included)
Documents will be ready on or after the following day.
Please note that German-language certificates or referral letters cannot be issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
How well does the doctor speak English?
Daily medical communication is possible, though not fluent. Translation tools are used when necessary.
Dr. Takahashi participated in a short-term clinical training at Tulane University (New Orleans, US), School of Medicine during his medical studies.
How well does the doctor speak German?
Dr. Takahashi can manage basic daily conversation in German, though not fluent. Translation tools are used when needed.
He attended a Grundschule in Germany for one year during childhood and later worked as a “Gastarzt” (visiting neurosurgeon) in Berlin for about one year.
Ich habe zwei Jahre in Deutschland gelebt und kann einfache Alltagsgespräche auf Deutsch führen.
Can travelers receive care?
Yes. We can provide consultations as self-pay services. Please bring your passport or identification.
Can I get an MRI on the same day?
Depending on availability, same-day MRI and result explanation are possible.
What to Bring
Please bring the following items to your appointment:
- Japanese health insurance card (if available)
- My Number card (if available)
- Passport or other photo ID
- Any previous medical information (medication record, referral letter, image data, etc.)
Summary
For patients who have difficulty communicating in Japanese:
- With Japanese insurance → Covered by Japanese public insurance (regular co-payment applies)
- Without insurance → Self-pay (15 JPY per insurance point)
- Full English/German consultation → 11,000 JPY translation fee
- English medical certificate/referral → 5,500 JPY each
We are committed to providing professional neurosurgical care fairly and without language barriers.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Online Reservation
When booking online, please select your preferred language from the language menu at the bottom right of the patient reservation screen.
Click Here to Book an Appointment
Available options: English, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, French, and Portuguese.
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