Neurosurgery in Japan

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders/diseases or injury that affects any portion of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves. This specialty includes both adult and pediatric patients. A physician who specializes in neurosurgery is called a neurosurgeon. Although they are mostly known as ‘brain surgeons,’ they are also medically trained to help patients who suffer from neck and back pain, as well as a wide range of other illnesses. Some of the most common conditions that neurosurgeons can treat include:

• Meningitis
• Traumatic head injury
• Cervical spine disorders
• Sciatica
• Herniated disc
• Stroke
• Chronic pain
• Carotid artery disease
• Pituitary tumors
• Brain tumors
• Hydrocephalus
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Spine tumors
• Vertebral fractures
• Sciatica
• Lumbar spinal stenosis.

A neurosurgeon can provide diagnostic procedures, as well as both surgical and non-surgical treatment. These include, but are not limited to:

• Computerized Tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Lumbar Puncture
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Ultrasonography (USG)
• Biopsy
• Aneurysm repair
• Tumor removal
• Trauma repair
• Clot removal
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• Brain stereotactic radiosurgery
• Epilepsy surgery
• Fetal surgery
• Endovascular treatment
• Endoscopic procedures
• Hyperhidrosis surgery, such as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
• Seizure surgery
• Spinal fusion
• Trigeminal neuralgia surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Japan?

Your length of stay depends on the type of procedure you underwent. For diagnostic tests, you may need to stay in Japan for 3 to 7 days to wait until the results are ready and to discuss the results with your neurosurgeon. In some cases, you may be allowed to leave for home immediately. For medical treatments, you usually need to stay in the hospital for two to five days, and stay in Japan for 7 to 14 more days, sometimes even longer. During your stay, you will have to attend regular checkups where your neurosurgeon monitors your condition. If everything is fine, you will be allowed to travel home.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Since there is a wide range of procedures, recovery times vary. In general, it can take around 4 to 12 weeks to recover from surgery. During this period avoid strenuous activities and take time off of work. Your doctor will gradually allow you to increase your activity levels, based on their examination at the follow-up visits. 

What Aftercare is Required?

After neurosurgery treatments, you will have to change your lifestyle. A healthy diet, such as keeping your salt levels down and avoiding sugary food, is crucial to prevent complications. It is also important that you exercise regularly and get enough sleep. For some types of surgery, you will need rehabilitation therapy, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech, language therapy. 

What's the Success Rate?

Given the advances in technology, understanding of the nervous system, and surgical understanding, the success rate of neurosurgery continues to improve and is now higher than before. For example, the success rate of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is around 95%, while the likelihood of being seizure-free five years after epilepsy surgery is around 95%. Still, every procedure come with potential risks and side effects, such as infection, excessive swelling of the brain, spinal fluid leakage, and seizures.

Are there Alternatives?

If you have any conditions related to your nervous system, you can go to a neurologist as the alternative. However, since neurologists do not perform surgery, they will refer you to a neurosurgeon should surgery be required as part of your treatment.

Neurosurgery in and around Japan

About Japan

Japan is special in its own way; the culture, food, people, as well as technology are envied by the world over. With old Japan, comes the ancient tradition in the form of a geisha performance, onsen (hot spring) visit in the mountains, tea ceremony, or shrine visit. In contrast, there is modern Japan, full of smart systems and electronics, colorful advertisements and displays, and ultra-modern architecture. In recent years, Japan has become one of the top destinations in the world for oncology treatments and sees many tens of thousands of medical tourists each year. Many of these travel from within the region, including China and Korea, but they are unable to compete with the SE Asian nations with prices. Private hospitals are located across the country, with a particular focus in major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. 25 of these facilities are JCI-accredited, with many offering Neurosurgery procedures.

Popular Parts of Japan

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Japan is a stratovolcano archipelago. The four largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. With a population of 127 million, 98% are ethnic Japanese. The country perfectly balances traditional with modern technology. Tourists will first see its exceptionally modern face, but after traveling around, they will find many opportunities to connect with the beautiful traditional culture.

• Tokyo is Japan’s capital, one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. It’s a huge metropolis that offers traditional arts and culture, futuristic infrastructures, and good restaurants. The cherry blossoms that bloom in Spring is one of the most popular sights. The soft pink petals are an icon of the country. There is an unlimited choice of shopping, many museums that cover every era of Japanese art history, and even a robot restaurant.
• Kyoto is made of religious architecture, with around 2000 temples and shrines. It moves at a slower pace than any other city in Japan. Filled with samurais, geishas, Zen gardens, and the torii gate, Kyoto is the spiritual center of Japan. The city is also known for its food, head to the Nishiki Market, a four-hundred-year-old local food market that offers a range of national cuisine to modern food from all over the world.
• Osaka, the second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo is known to be the most delicious city. The city is nicknamed “the nation’s kitchen.” Visit Dotonburi to experience the food culture of Osaka. Besides the food, there are numerous attractions that tourists should visit such as Universal Studios Japan, Cup Noodles Museum, Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka Castle, and Umeda Sky Building.
• Fukuoka has a welcoming feel with sunny weather and so much to do. It’s made up of two towns, the port city of Hakata and the former castle town of Fukuoka. Visit the impressive Fukuoka Castle, explore the Sumiyoshi-Jinja Shrine, learn history in Kyūshū National Museum, experience the ancient art of calligraphy and origami in Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, and enjoy a calming bath in one of the Onsen hot springs.
• Nagoya is the industrial center of Japan. It’s the birthplace of Toyota and a popular pinball-style game Pachinko. Although many of the historic buildings were destroyed in the air raids of 1945, tourists can still indulge in its culture and tradition. Visit the Nagoya Castle that was reconstructed in 1959, walk around the Atsuta Shrine, or see the history of the automobile in the Toyota Automobile Museum.

Weather and Climate in Japan

Japan has four distinct seasons.

1. Summer starts in June and lasts until August. The temperature can get very hot, up to 40 °C in some places, with high humidity. June is the rainy season where the farmers plant their rice. The rainy season is over in August but the typhoon season starts to peak.
2. Autumn starts in September and ends in November. September has the greatest risk of typhoons. The weather is generally mild. October is pleasantly warm with less humidity than in summer, making it a food time for traveling the country.
3. The temperature will drop in Winter. It lasts from December to February and is usually dry, pleasant, and sunny. The average temperature is around 2°C to 12°C, it rarely drops below 0°C. The northern island of Hokkaido, the Japan Alps, and the Japan Sea coast get a lot of snow while Tokyo gets very little snow.
4. Spring is said to be the best time to visit Japan because of its mild weather and cherry blossoms. The season starts in March and ends in May. The temperature will gradually increase during spring with little rainfall and clear sky.

Getting Around in Japan

The main airport for international tourists is the Narita International Airport. It is located around 60km east of central Tokyo. It serves both domestic and international flights to almost every major city around the globe. There are several budget airlines that operate flights from this airport, namely Jetstar Japan, Eastar Jet, and Peach. There are other international airports such as Kansai International Airport, New Chitose International Airport, and Kyushu Saga International Airport.

To get to Tokyo from Narita Airport, tourists can use the rail, bus, taxi, or car rental. The most affordable train line is the Keisei Line that connects with the Toei Asakusa Subway Line and the Yamanote Line, it costs around ¥1,190 to ¥1,230 ($10 to $11.3). There’s also the Sky Access Express train that offers better access to Tokyo, a trip to Asakusa will cost around ¥1,290 ($11.9) and take about 58 minutes. The quickest way to get to Tokyo will be by the Skyliner train, it takes just 36 minutes to Nippori and will cost around ¥2,470 ($22.7). The airport introduced N’EX Tokyo Round-Trip ticket for foreign passport holders that provides round-trip travel from Narita to Tokyo and back for ¥4,000 ($37) for adults and ¥2,000 ($18.4) for children.

A regular taxi from Narita to Tokyo is very expensive, usually over ¥20,000 ($184). The best option is the shared minibus that starts with ¥6,180 ($57) per person. Buses are usually more affordable, the Limousine Bus costs ¥2,880 ($26.5) and the Tokyo Shuttle costs around ¥900 ($8) to ¥1,000 ($9).

Getting around Japan is fairly easy because the country has excellent public transportation. It is recommended to get a Japan Rail Pass. Japan’s bullet train is fast but expensive. There are cheaper train options. Buses are less expensive but will take more time than trains.

Tourist Visas in Japan

Citizens of 68 countries and territories can enter and stay in Japan for up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand are granted a 15-day visa-free trip to Japan. Citizens of the United Arab Emirates are allowed to stay for 30 days without a visa. It is advisable to contact the nearest Consular Section of the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan for more information.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Yen (¥) is the local currency. $1 will get you ¥11 ¥1,000 is worth approximately $9.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are usually located in post offices and convenient stores. There are only a few branches of major Japanese banks that accept foreign-issued cards. Credit cards are accepted in major cities, but the rural area doesn’t. It’s best to always bring cash and bring a coin purse because everything below ¥500 is coins. Tipping is not mandatory, high-end hotels and restaurants usually add a 10% service fee to the bill.
3. Local Language: The official language is Japanese. English is common in major cities with many tourists such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Tokyo. Some restaurants write their menu in English and Japanese.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The dominant religion in Japan is Shinto and Buddhism. There’s a small group of Christians as well.
5. Public Holidays: Japan has sixteen national holidays each year, including Children’s Day, Constitution Memorial Day, and Marine Day. The country hosts numerous annual festivals such as Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, Awa Odori in Tokushima, and Yuki Matsuri Snow Festival in Sapporo.