How Much Does Dialysis Cost for Tourists in Japan? (2026 Guide)

Planning a trip to Japan while on dialysis raises a practical question almost immediately: how much will it actually cost?

The answer depends on how you arrange it. There are essentially three approaches — and the cost difference between them is significant. This guide lays out each option honestly, so you can decide what's right for your situation.

Option 1: Booking a Clinic Directly (Self-Arranged)

Japan has a network of dialysis clinics that accept international patients. If you're able to navigate the process yourself, the treatment cost alone is:

¥40,000 – ¥55,000 per session (tax included)

This is the base rate at clinics that accommodate foreign patients — covering the doctor's consultation, treatment, materials, and documentation fee.

What's typically not included

• Certain medications (e.g. erythropoiesis-stimulating agents)

• Night-time or weekend treatment surcharges at some facilities

• Transportation to and from the clinic

The real cost: your time and effort

The treatment fee is only part of the picture. Booking dialysis in Japan as a foreign patient requires:

• Contacting 2–3 clinics per city (many communicate in Japanese only)

• Waiting 1–2 weeks per reply — sometimes longer

• Preparing medical documents in Japanese clinical format

• Navigating back-and-forth coordination across time zones

Most patients need to start this process 8–12 weeks before travel. For a multi-city trip, multiply the effort by each destination.

Option 2: Using a Coordination Service

Several companies specialize in arranging dialysis for traveling foreign patients. They handle clinic outreach and reservations on your behalf.

Typical pricing structure

• Clinic fee: ¥45,000 – ¥48,000 per session (paid directly to the clinic)

• Coordination fee: approximately $300 USD flat per trip (regardless of session count)

This is a cost-effective option for travelers who are comfortable managing their own itinerary and just need the clinic reservation handled.

What's typically included: reservation arrangement, document confirmation, and basic follow-up during your trip.

What's typically not included: itinerary planning, medical document translation or reformatting, transport, or dedicated on-trip support.

Option 3: Full-Service Coordination (RSA)

RSA (Rising Sun Ambassadors) offers a different category of service — designed for travelers who want the entire process handled, from clinic outreach to in-trip support, with a single point of contact throughout.

RSA pricing

• ¥170,000 per session (tax included) + 20% coordination fee

• In-suite hotel dialysis: tailored pricing, available on request

What's included

• Full Japanese-language outreach and negotiation with clinics

• Multi-clinic canvassing to secure confirmed bookings

• Medical document review and reformatting to Japanese clinical standards

• Pre-travel and in-stay logistics coordination

• Dedicated personal support throughout your entire trip

RSA is also the only provider in Japan offering in-suite dialysis — where a certified medical team comes directly to your hotel room, so treatment stays entirely in the background of your travel experience.

A Realistic Cost Comparison

Here's what a 10-day trip with 4 dialysis sessions might look like under each option:

Self-arranged: 4 × ¥45,000 = ¥180,000 (+ weeks of coordination effort)

Coordination service: 4 × ¥48,000 = ¥192,000 + ~$300 ≈ ¥237,000

RSA full-service: 4 × ¥170,000 = ¥680,000 + 20% (¥136,000) ≈ ¥816,000

* All figures exclude flights, accommodation, meals, and local transport. Exchange rate: ¥150/USD.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Self-arranged works if you have time, patience, some Japanese language ability or support, and are traveling to a single city.

A coordination service works if you want the reservation handled but are comfortable managing everything else yourself.

RSA is the right choice if you want the entire experience — not just the treatment — to be taken care of. If your time is limited, your trip is multi-city, your expectations are high, or you don't want to spend weeks coordinating across time zones, RSA removes the complexity entirely.

The cost difference is real. So is the difference in what you receive.

Start with a Free Consultation

Not sure which option fits your situation? RSA offers a complimentary travel review for all inquiries — no obligation, no commitment. Taka will personally assess your dialysis requirements, travel dates, and goals, and give you an honest picture of what your trip would involve and cost.

→ Request your complimentary travel review: dialysis.rsa-hub.com

A personal response within 24 hours.