Hospitals in Tokyo/Area to live

Posted by International (1592 days ago)

We are being relocated to Tokyo. Having a baby basically a month after we get there. I am looking for an American International Hospital or at least an American doctor to deliver the baby.

Second question: I have a 4year old, do I send her to the Early Learning Centre or the Kindergarten in Chofu - American International School. Based on this, which areas are good to live in?

Please can somebody answer my questions ASAP.

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Posted by Answer (1373 days ago)

As Expat just mentioned, there are closest to null American doctors practicing in Japan. This is because the US MD license is not legitimate in Japan. They may talk to the patients but cannot diagnose, test, treat, prescribe the patients. Try Tokyo Clinic, King Clinic or International Clinic, but I think they all are just general practitioners or a physician.

For different means, I recommend you just go to a general hospital close to your residence, thinking about emergencies, over the langauge obstacle.

To your second question, Seta in Setagayaku is a popular spot for expats to live in the western Tokyo. They have Seisen and St. Mary's Intl Schools. Chofu is about 40min drive from there. From the way you write and with all the worries you might have living in a different world, I recommend you to stick around in the "expat-friendly" area like Seta, Azabu, Yoyogi, Aoyama, which are mostly in central Tokyo.
Chofu might be a difficult place to live being totally immersed into the Japanese cultural zone. Kunitachi can be another opt, but all you got is Kinokuniya supermarket and bad access to Tokyo. This is about 20 minutes drive from Chofu.
So stay in central Tokyo, you can reach out for the American stuffs at various supermarkets and ASIJ has a school bus that can take your kid to Chofu.

Posted by expat (1373 days ago)

First : Tokyo doesnt have an american doctor to deliver babies, at Tokyo clinic across from Tokyo tower has a female gynecolist but she doesn't deliver, a japanese speaks english will deliver.
Second: your 4 years old is boy or girl ? If it is a girl , there is a all girl school Sacred Heart right in Hiroo, near the hospital and school and park and many expats live in the area.
American International School is very very far away to send a 4 years old, especially in case emergency or sick , you have to go pick the child up in the middle of the day without school bus. Over an hour each way on the bus that doesn't count traffic jam and bad weather .

Any more questions just post it, I will be happy to answer anything I know.

Posted by expat (1373 days ago)

In case you are still looking for an OBGyn, Tokyo clinic right across the street from Tokyo tower, has a female french gynecologist, and a male japanese educated at Yale and NYU, most of foreigners in Tokyo delived babies by those 2 doctors. The female french doctor has been in Tokyo for almost 30 years. You need more questions post your email, I will reply to you.

Posted by expat (1373 days ago)

Before signing your lease, ask your landlord to include in your rent cable or skyperfect for tv and dsl or fiberoptic for internet and don't forget to ask for alarm system for your home or appartment .

Posted by International (1373 days ago)

Thank you for your response. I have decided to have the baby first and then move over. Unfortunately for my husband, but probably better for us. We have just been over on a look and see, found a house etc. So would love to hear from people that could be friend. Thanks so much to all for your input. Really did help a great lot.

Posted by International (1373 days ago)

Reply to Skitrees:
Thanks for your input re schooling etc. I really liked what I saw - your recommendations were great.
Thanks

Posted by International (1373 days ago)

Could you please assist in choosing Internet and English TV Channels. Who would you recommend as a service provider? Many Thanks

Posted by International (1373 days ago)

To Skitrees
Thank you so much. Could you please look into the Hospital situation for me. It would be great. Just to have a bit more knowledge will help.
I have been doing some research on schools, after my first reply. And I must really say I like what I have seen on the Sacred Int School website.
How long have you been living Tokyo for? Do you enjoy it?
Look forward to your reply

Posted by skitrees (1373 days ago)

I'll get back to you on the hospital information. You also might want to consider giving birth before you come- only 1 month here before the due date really isn't much time. You will have the stress of moving, finding doctor's etc, a lot to take in 1 month . At least you know the system in the states and (?) have support etc. I would seriously consider this- it would be different if you had more time.

I've been here for 2 years and love it. I have 2 girls at Sacred Heart and also have a son at ASIJ. ASIJ is a good school and predominately American. It can take my son up to an hour on a bad day to get there on the bus so this isn't really an option for a young child. ASIJ does have the kinder in Roppongi but once you have finished there you have to go to Chofu. There are also a lot of Kindergartens in the area I live in that are independant of schools but as I said earlier- Sacred Heart is a wonderful school- very caring, nurturing and a great place to meet people.
Do you know where your partner will be working? If you let me know I''ll forward on as much info as I can regarding living here.

Posted by skitrees (1373 days ago)

Don't limit yourself to Chofu just because you want an AMerican experience. There are some wonderful international schools around- my girls go to Sacred Heart and it is a wonderful school, very international but a wonderful community. You would be hardpressed to find somewhere better- it is situated in Hiroo, which is where I live and they go from K-12.
There is a maternity hospital situated in Hiroo as well- Aiku Hospital, and I have had a number of friends deliver there- I would make sure I got the right doctor though (if you want more info on this, let me know)

Chofu is a long way out from central Tokyo and it's expensive and painful to get there either by car or by train from central Tokyo. Where I live it is very central to everything, such as international supermarkets and lots of great restaurants,. It's convenient for access to many subway lines and is also very convenient for access to Narita Airport. This is the embassy area and there are lots of expats (which some people don't like) living around here. I wouldn't live anywhere else- there is a fantastic park which is great for young children and is also a good place to make friends.

Some other good areas to live in in Tokyo close to Hiroo are Moto Azabu, Shirokandai and Roppongi. I would consider where your partner will be working though before you make any decisions.

One last thing is that if you get American Club membership included in your package- you might want to live in the Roppongi/Hiroo/Azabujuban area as it is very close to here.