Headache Clinic in Osaka for International Patients | Fees without Japanese Health Insurance

Iwata Neurosurgery Clinic, in Joto-ku, Osaka, has a dedicated headache service. We see migraine, tension-type headache and cluster headache, and we use same-day MRI to check for dangerous headaches caused by other conditions in the brain. This page explains our headache care and the fees for patients who are not covered by Japanese public health insurance.

At a glance
✔ Same-day MRI and results on the day of your visit
✔ Language support with a translation device (POCKETALK)
✔ Fees without Japanese insurance: 12 yen per point + tax
✔ 4-minute walk from Noe Station (Keihan Main Line)

Cumulative figures since we opened in December 2020. These figures show the number of cases and do not guarantee the results of treatment.

About the Clinic Director

Ryoichi Iwata, MD, PhD

Director, Iwata Neurosurgery Clinic

Board Certified Neurosurgeon (Japan Neurosurgical Society)
Board Certified Specialist in Neuroendovascular Therapy (Japanese Society for Neuroendovascular Therapy)
Board Certified Headache Specialist (Japanese Headache Society)

Dr. Iwata worked as a neurosurgeon at Kansai Medical University Hospital for 14 years before opening the clinic. He has lived with headaches himself, and today he sees more than 100 headache patients a day at our headache clinic.

Headaches we treat

The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) divides headaches into three main groups. We first check whether your headache may be caused by a serious condition, and then treat it according to its type.

1. Primary headaches
The headache itself is the condition

Migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache

2. Secondary headaches
Caused by another condition — early detection with MRI is important

Subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain hemorrhage, brain tumor, arterial dissection, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, moyamoya disease

3. Painful cranial neuropathies and facial pain

Trigeminal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia

We also see children and adolescents with headaches. MRI can be performed for children aged 5 and older.

⚠ Warning signs: please see a doctor promptly
• A sudden, severe headache unlike anything you have had before
• Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, or slurred speech
• Headache with fever or vomiting
• Headache after a strong blow to the head
• A new headache that starts after the age of 40
If you have a sudden, severe headache or weakness in the arms or legs, call an ambulance (119).

Medicines for migraine

CGRP-related medicines are mainly used for people whose migraine has not been controlled well enough with conventional preventive medicines. The doctor will decide whether a medicine is suitable for you after examining you.

Your visit, step by step

Partner hospitals
When you need emergency transfer, hospital admission or surgery, we refer you promptly to a partner hospital, such as Osaka National Hospital (大阪医療センター), Kitano Hospital (北野病院), Saiseikai Noe Hospital (済生会野江病院) and Ainomiyako Neurosurgery Hospital (藍の都脳神経外科病院).

Fees for patients without Japanese health insurance

Japan’s medical fee schedule
12 yen per point
+ consumption tax (10%)

In Japan, medical fees are calculated in “points” set by the national fee schedule. For patients who are not enrolled in Japanese public health insurance, we charge 12 yen per point under Japan’s medical fee schedule (1.2 times the standard rate of 10 yen per point). Consumption tax is charged separately. This applies from November 11, 2026.

This includes foreign patients, Japanese nationals living overseas, and people living in Japan who are not enrolled in Japanese public health insurance.

Consultation and MRI (approximate)

These are estimates. The actual fee depends on the examination and treatment you receive, the time of your visit and other factors.

Preventive injections for migraine (per injection)

The consultation fee on the day of the injection is charged separately. These medicines are given once a month. For Emgality, two injections are given at the first dose, so the fee for the first month is about twice the amount shown. The injection is given at our clinic. If you are considering this treatment, please contact us before your visit.

Vyepti (eptinezumab), an intravenous drip, is not yet listed on Japan’s national drug price list. Its fee has not been decided (as of November 2026).

Oral medicines

Oral medicines such as rimegepant and triptans are prescribed by our clinic and dispensed at an outside pharmacy. The price of the medicine is set by the pharmacy and is paid at the pharmacy.

Booking

Book your first visit online — 24 hours a day
Book online ›
The booking page is in Japanese.
Phone: 06-6935-2335
We answer calls in English with a translation device (POCKETALK).

How to use the booking page (in Japanese)
1. Choose your visit type:
　「初診　MRI　予約」 = first visit with MRI
　「初診（MRI検査希望なし）」 = first visit without MRI
2. Read the notes and tap 「次へ」 (Next).
3. Tap a ○ in the calendar to choose a date and time.
4. Enter your mobile phone number, tick the box to agree to the terms, and tap 「認証コードを送信」 (Send verification code). Enter the code you receive by SMS and follow the steps.
If you do not have a Japanese mobile phone number, please book by phone.

Clinic information

For more details (in Japanese): Headache Clinic in Osaka (大阪の頭痛専門外来)

This page provides general information and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor’s instructions on the use of medicines.