Digestive Issues & Stomach Problems – English Clinic Tokyo

Digestive Issues Treatment in Tokyo — English-Speaking Stomach Doctor

Stomach pain, nausea, acid reflux, and other digestive complaints are among the most frequent reasons patients visit Tokyo Hub Clinic. Whether your symptoms are caused by stress, dietary changes from living in Japan, a bacterial infection, or a chronic condition, our clinic provides thorough evaluation and treatment in full English. Located inside Hotel New Otani Garden Court 2F, under the care of Dr. Ichiro Kamoshita, M.D., Ph.D., a board-certified internist, we offer a calm, private setting for discussing sensitive gastrointestinal concerns.

Last updated: March 2026. Content supervised by medical professionals at Tokyo Hub Clinic.

Digestive issues are particularly common among expatriates and international residents adjusting to new foods, water, and lifestyle patterns in Japan. Our clinic serves as your trusted first point of evaluation — and for many conditions, the only stop you will need. For cases requiring endoscopy, imaging, or surgical consultation, Dr. Kamoshita maintains a referral network of English-friendly gastroenterology specialists and hospitals across Tokyo.

Digestive Symptoms We Treat

Gastrointestinal conditions range from acute, short-lived episodes to chronic, recurring problems. Our clinic evaluates and treats the following:

Stomach pain and abdominal discomfort: upper and lower abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, and tenderness
Nausea and vomiting: acute episodes, motion sickness, medication side effects, and morning sickness
Acid reflux and heartburn (GERD): burning sensation in the chest or throat, regurgitation, chronic cough related to reflux
Diarrhea: acute infectious diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, food poisoning, chronic or recurring loose stools
Constipation: infrequent bowel movements, straining, hard stools, incomplete evacuation
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): alternating diarrhea and constipation, bloating, abdominal pain relieved by bowel movements
Food intolerances: lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, and reactions to unfamiliar Japanese ingredients
Gastritis and peptic ulcers: persistent upper abdominal pain, especially related to meals or stress
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection: a common bacterial cause of gastritis and ulcers, diagnosable via blood test or breath test
Liver and gallbladder concerns: abnormal liver function tests, fatty liver, right upper abdominal pain

Digestive symptoms should not be ignored, especially if they persist for more than a few days, involve blood in the stool, or are accompanied by unexplained weight loss, fever, or severe pain. Early evaluation can identify treatable conditions before they become serious.

How We Diagnose and Treat Digestive Problems

Dr. Kamoshita approaches digestive complaints with the thoroughness of a trained internist, combining clinical assessment with targeted testing:

Comprehensive history and examination: We begin with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, dietary habits, stress levels, medication use, and relevant medical history. A focused abdominal examination helps localize the source of discomfort.
Blood tests: Complete blood count, liver function tests, pancreatic enzymes, inflammatory markers (CRP), and H. pylori antibody testing can all be arranged. These help distinguish between infectious, inflammatory, and functional causes.
Stool tests: When infection is suspected (e.g., food poisoning, parasitic infection), stool culture and microscopy may be recommended.
H. pylori testing: Japan has one of the highest rates of H. pylori infection in the developed world. If you have chronic gastritis symptoms, we will test for this bacterium. Eradication therapy, if needed, is highly effective and covered by Japanese insurance.
Medication therapy: Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid reflux, antispasmodics for IBS, antibiotics for H. pylori, antiemetics for nausea, or bowel regulators for constipation or diarrhea.
Referral for advanced testing: When endoscopy (gastroscopy or colonoscopy), ultrasound, or CT imaging is needed, we refer you to trusted, English-friendly facilities in Tokyo and coordinate your care throughout the process.

What to Expect at Your Visit

Book your appointment: Call 03-6261-7070 or book online. Mention your primary symptoms so we can prepare appropriately.
Arrive at Hotel New Otani Garden Court 2F: The hotel-based clinic provides a discreet, comfortable environment — important when dealing with sensitive digestive concerns.
Consultation (15–30 minutes): Dr. Kamoshita will take a thorough history, perform a physical examination, and discuss your dietary habits and lifestyle factors.
On-site blood draw: Blood tests can be performed during your visit if needed. Results are typically available within 1–3 business days.
Treatment plan: You will receive a clear diagnosis (or differential diagnosis if further testing is needed), prescriptions with English instructions, and dietary/lifestyle recommendations.
Follow-up: For chronic conditions like GERD, IBS, or H. pylori eradication, follow-up visits are scheduled to assess treatment response and adjust the plan as needed.

Information for Expatriates and International Residents

Digestive health can be significantly affected by the transition to life in Japan. Here are common issues our international patients face:

Dietary adjustment: Japanese cuisine, while generally healthy, introduces new ingredients (fermented foods, raw fish, seaweed, soy) that may cause temporary digestive upset. We can help determine whether your symptoms are a normal adjustment or require treatment.
Stress-related digestive issues: The stress of relocating, working in a new culture, and navigating daily life in a foreign language can trigger or worsen conditions like IBS and acid reflux. We address both the physical and stress-related components of your symptoms.
H. pylori awareness: H. pylori is more prevalent in Japan than in many Western countries. If you have chronic stomach symptoms, testing is strongly recommended, as eradication can resolve years of discomfort.
Medication access: Many OTC digestive medications from your home country are not available in Japan, and Japanese pharmacy products can be confusing. We prescribe effective medications with clear English instructions.
English-language care: All consultations, test results, and treatment instructions are provided in English. Discussing digestive symptoms in a second language can be uncomfortable and imprecise — we eliminate that barrier entirely.

Insurance and Fees

Japan NHI / Shakai Hoken: Standard copay (typically 30%). Consultations, blood tests, H. pylori testing and eradication, and prescriptions are covered.
International travel insurance: We provide all documentation for reimbursement. Contact your insurer about direct billing options.
Self-pay: First visit approximately ¥10,000–¥15,000; follow-up visits approximately ¥5,000–¥8,000. Blood panels and specialized testing may add ¥3,000–¥10,000.

Cash and major credit cards accepted. Itemized receipts provided for every visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have been experiencing stomach pain since moving to Japan. Is this normal?

Some digestive adjustment when moving to a new country is normal and usually resolves within a few weeks. However, persistent pain lasting more than two to three weeks, or pain accompanied by blood in stools, weight loss, or fever, warrants medical evaluation. It could indicate H. pylori infection, food intolerance, or another treatable condition.

What is H. pylori and should I be tested?

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that infects the stomach lining and is a major cause of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and (rarely) stomach cancer. Japan has higher rates of H. pylori than many Western countries. If you have chronic upper abdominal pain, nausea, or indigestion, testing is recommended. Eradication involves a one- to two-week course of antibiotics and acid-reducing medication, with a success rate above 90%.

Can you perform endoscopy at the clinic?

Endoscopy is not performed on-site, but Dr. Kamoshita can refer you to trusted, English-friendly endoscopy centers in Tokyo. We will provide a referral letter summarizing your case and coordinate your care before and after the procedure.

Is IBS treatment different in Japan?

The principles of IBS treatment are the same worldwide, but Japan offers some medications not readily available in other countries, including specific antispasmodics and probiotics with clinical evidence. Dr. Kamoshita will tailor a treatment plan using the best options available here.

Get Digestive Relief

Book an Appointment

03-6261-7070 · Hotel New Otani Garden Court 2F · Akasaka-mitsuke / Nagatacho Station
Appointment only · All consultations in English