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SAKURA International Clinic Asakusa — 1-minute walk from Asakusa Station · Open 7 days a week, 9:00–17:00 · English, Chinese, Korean & Japanese spoken

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Is This You?

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It is day three of your Tokyo trip, and a dull headache has been sitting behind your eyes since you woke up. You took some ibuprofen back at the hotel, but it barely helped. Was it the jet lag? The sake at last night’s izakaya? You feel slightly dizzy when you stand, and the neon lights of Shibuya are making it worse. You just want to enjoy your vacation — but the headache will not quit, and you have no idea where to find a doctor who speaks English.

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If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Headache and dizziness are among the most common reasons foreign visitors seek medical help in Tokyo. This page will walk you through the likely causes, what you can do right now, and when it is time to see a doctor.

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Common Causes of Headache & Dizziness for Travelers in Tokyo

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Headaches in tourists rarely have a single cause. More often, several travel-related factors stack on top of one another. Here are the most common culprits we see at our clinic:

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Jet Lag

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Travelers arriving from Europe or North America cross 6–14 time zones in a single flight. The resulting disruption to your circadian rhythm commonly triggers headaches within the first 48 hours. Eastbound travel (e.g., from the US to Japan) tends to be harder on the body than westbound, because it is more difficult for the brain to shorten its internal day than to lengthen it.

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Dehydration

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Airplane cabin humidity hovers around 10–20%, and a long-haul flight can leave you significantly dehydrated before you even land. Combine that with hours of walking through Tokyo’s streets and Japan’s notoriously dry winters, and dehydration-induced headaches become very common.

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Tension-Type Headache

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Heavy backpacks, long walks on hard pavement, an unfamiliar pillow, and hours hunched over your phone checking Google Maps — all of these put strain on your neck and shoulder muscles, leading to the classic “band-around-the-head” tension headache.

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Migraine

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Barometric pressure changes are a well-known migraine trigger, and Japan experiences dramatic pressure swings during typhoon season (June–October). Sleep disruption, stress, and dietary changes while traveling can also set off an attack in people who are prone to migraines.

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Hangover

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Izakaya culture, bottomless sake, strong Japanese whisky, and the “one more round” mentality make hangovers a frequent cause of morning headaches among tourists. Alcohol also causes dehydration, compounding the problem.

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Eye Strain

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Constantly checking maps, translation apps, and travel guides on your phone screen can cause eye fatigue and a dull frontal headache, especially in bright outdoor light or dim train carriages.

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Sinus Headache

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Japan’s cedar pollen season (February–April) is intense, and even travelers without a history of hay fever can develop sinus congestion. A cold caught on the plane can also progress into sinusitis with facial pressure and headache.

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Blood Pressure Fluctuations

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Soaking in a hot onsen (hot spring) followed by a cold rinse can cause rapid blood pressure changes, resulting in sudden dizziness or a throbbing headache. This is especially common in travelers with pre-existing hypertension.

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What You Can Do Right Now — Over-the-Counter Remedies in Japan

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Japanese pharmacies (薬局 / yakkyoku) and convenience stores carry several effective remedies. Here is what to look for:

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Pain Relievers

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• Loxonin S (ロキソニンS) — a popular NSAID similar to naproxen. Effective but can irritate the stomach; always take with food, never on an empty stomach.
• Eve Quick (イブクイック) — contains ibuprofen. Good all-round painkiller for headaches.
• Bufferin (バファリン) — aspirin-based; gentler on the stomach than Loxonin.

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Hangover Remedies (Available at Convenience Stores)

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• Heparize (ヘパリーゼ) — liver-support drink, best taken before or right after drinking.
• Ukon no Chikara (ウコンの力) — turmeric drink, widely available at 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart.

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Motion Sickness / Dizziness

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• Travelmin (トラベルミン) — an antihistamine that helps with dizziness and nausea, available at pharmacies.

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Simple Self-Care

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• Drink water or a sports drink like Pocari Sweat to rehydrate.
• A cup of coffee or green tea can help — caffeine narrows dilated blood vessels, which may relieve a mild headache.
• Rest in a cool, dark room if possible.

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️ Important: Loxonin S is strong on the stomach lining. Do not take it on an empty stomach, and do not combine it with alcohol. If you have a history of stomach ulcers, choose Eve Quick or Bufferin instead.

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When to See a Doctor — Know the Warning Signs

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Not every headache requires a clinic visit. Use this quick guide to decide your next step:

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What to Expect at Your Visit

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Walking into an unfamiliar clinic in a foreign country can be stressful, so here is exactly what happens when you come to SAKURA International Clinic Asakusa:

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1. Message us on WhatsApp — Send a quick message to wa.me/818012345678 describing your symptoms. We will confirm availability and give you directions.
2. Walk in or arrive by appointment — We are a 1-minute walk from Asakusa Station. No referral needed.
3. Registration (5 min) — Bring your passport and insurance documents (if any). We will create your chart in English.
4. Doctor consultation (15–20 min) — Our physician will take a detailed history in English, perform a neurological screening, and check your blood pressure, eyes, and balance.
5. Diagnosis & treatment plan — For most headache and dizziness cases, we can provide a diagnosis and prescribe medication on the same day. If imaging (MRI/CT) is needed, we will arrange a referral to a nearby imaging center.
6. Prescription & pharmacy — We will hand you a prescription and direct you to the nearest pharmacy (within a 2-minute walk) where the medication will be dispensed.
7. Payment — Pay at the reception desk. We will provide a detailed receipt and medical certificate for your insurance claim back home.

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Travel Insurance & Costs

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Our consultation fee is ¥55,000 (tax included) on an all-inclusive basis. This covers the doctor’s consultation, basic tests, and a same-day prescription. If you need a referral letter to another hospital or specialist, there is an additional charge of ¥11,000.

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We accept cash (Japanese yen) and major credit cards. We do not bill insurance companies directly, but we will provide all the documentation you need to file a claim with your travel insurance provider after you return home. Most travel insurance policies cover outpatient medical visits in full — check your policy or contact your insurer before your visit if you are unsure.

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Tip: Take photos of all receipts and the medical certificate before you leave the clinic. Many insurance claims are processed faster when submitted digitally.

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Jet Lag and Headaches — What Travelers Need to Know

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Jet lag is one of the most underestimated causes of headaches among international travelers to Tokyo, and it deserves a closer look.

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Why Eastbound Flights Are Harder

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When you fly from New York to Tokyo, you jump ahead by 14 hours. Your body’s internal clock, governed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain, has to compress its cycle to catch up. Research shows that the human circadian clock naturally runs slightly longer than 24 hours, which means it is easier to extend your day (westbound travel) than to shorten it (eastbound). This is why travelers arriving in Tokyo from Europe or the Americas often feel worse than those heading the other direction.

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How Long Does It Last?

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The general rule of thumb is that it takes roughly one day per time zone crossed for your body to fully adjust. So if you flew from London (9-hour difference), expect about 9 days before you feel completely normal. In practice, most people start feeling significantly better after 3–4 days, but lingering headaches and poor sleep can persist throughout a shorter trip.

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Is Your Headache From Jet Lag?

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Jet-lag headaches typically share these features:

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• Dull, constant pressure (not throbbing or one-sided)
• Worse in the afternoon or evening (local time)
• Accompanied by fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and disrupted sleep
• Appeared within 24–48 hours of arrival
• Gradually improves over several days without specific treatment

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If your headache is sudden, severe, one-sided, or accompanied by neurological symptoms, it is likely not jet lag — see the warning signs section above.

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What You Can Do After Arriving in Tokyo

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• Get sunlight. Spend time outdoors during Tokyo’s morning hours. Natural light is the strongest signal to reset your circadian clock.
• Stay on local time. Resist the urge to nap in the afternoon. If you must nap, keep it under 20 minutes.
• Use caffeine strategically. A coffee in the morning (local time) can help you stay alert, but avoid caffeine after 2 PM or it will interfere with nighttime sleep.
• Stay hydrated. Dehydration worsens both jet lag and headaches. Carry a water bottle — you can refill it at convenience stores or public water fountains.
• Consider melatonin. If jet lag is severe and you cannot sleep at night, our clinic can discuss melatonin supplementation or other sleep aids tailored to your situation. Melatonin is not sold over the counter in Japan, but a doctor can prescribe it.

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Advice for Migraine Sufferers Traveling in Japan

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If you live with chronic migraines, traveling to Japan requires some extra planning — and things do not always go according to plan. Here is what you need to know.

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Ran Out of Medication or Left It at Home?

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This happens more often than you might think. Unfortunately, foreign prescriptions are not valid in Japan. Japanese pharmacies cannot fill a prescription written by your doctor back home, no matter which country it is from. However, you do not need to suffer through your trip — visit our clinic, and our physician can evaluate your condition and prescribe the equivalent medication available in Japan.

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Triptans in Japan

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Triptan medications (such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan, and eletriptan) are available in Japan by prescription. They are classified as prescription-only drugs and cannot be purchased over the counter. If you regularly use triptans for migraine relief, our doctor can prescribe them after a consultation. Bring any documentation of your current prescription if you have it — a photo on your phone of the medication bottle or a note from your doctor is helpful.

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Track Barometric Pressure With Zutool (頭痛ーる)

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Many migraine sufferers find that barometric pressure drops trigger their attacks. A popular Japanese app called Zutool (頭痛ーる) tracks atmospheric pressure changes and forecasts headache risk for your location. It is available in the App Store and Google Play, and while the interface is primarily in Japanese, the pressure graphs and color-coded alerts are easy to understand. It is a useful tool for planning your sightseeing days around low-risk weather windows.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Should I see a doctor for a jet-lag headache?

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Mild jet-lag headaches usually resolve on their own within a few days with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter painkillers. However, if the headache persists beyond 3 days, is unusually severe, or is accompanied by vomiting, vision changes, or dizziness that does not go away, it is worth seeing a doctor to rule out other causes. Our clinic can also help with sleep issues related to jet lag, including prescribing melatonin if appropriate.

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I ran out of my migraine medication. Can you prescribe more?

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Yes. Foreign prescriptions cannot be filled in Japan, but our English-speaking physician can evaluate your condition and prescribe equivalent medication available here, including triptans. Bring any information about your current prescription — even a photo of the medication label on your phone is helpful.

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I feel very dizzy. What kind of doctor should I see?

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Dizziness can originate from the inner ear, the brain, the cardiovascular system, or even dehydration. A general internist is the best first point of contact because they can assess the most likely cause and refer you to a specialist (ENT, neurologist, or cardiologist) if needed. At SAKURA International Clinic, our doctor will perform a screening examination and guide you to the right next step.

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Can I get an MRI or CT scan at your clinic?

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We do not have MRI or CT scanners on-site, but if imaging is clinically indicated, we will arrange a referral to a nearby imaging center in Tokyo. In most cases, imaging can be scheduled within the same day or the next business day. A referral letter from our clinic costs an additional ¥11,000.

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How much does a visit cost?

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Our consultation fee is ¥55,000 (tax included) on an all-inclusive basis, covering the doctor’s consultation, basic examination, and a same-day prescription. A referral letter, if needed, is an additional ¥11,000. We accept cash (yen) and major credit cards, and we provide full documentation for travel insurance claims.

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Book Your Appointment

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Headache that will not go away? Feeling dizzy and unsure what to do?
Our English-speaking doctor can help — no referral needed.

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SAKURA International Clinic Asakusa — 1-minute walk from Asakusa Station
Open every day, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
English · Chinese · Korean · Japanese

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Related Pages

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• Migraine Treatment in Tokyo
• Dizziness & Vertigo Clinic
• Hangover IV Drip in Tokyo
• Using Travel Insurance in Japan
• General Medicine for Tourists

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