Mom and Baby Friendly Hospitals, Maternity Clinics, and Birth Houses in the Tokyo Area

Caregivers in Japan can be quite conservative compared to other countries. When choosing a caregiver, it is important to do your research early in your pregnancy so you know their policies and what options are available to you (particularly surrounding pain relief) before it’s too late to make a change. For more info about how Japan compares to the US in pregnancy, watch my video here.

If you’re new to my blog, welcome! My name is Jocelyn and I’m an American woman living in Tokyo with my husband and 1 year old son. I had a good experience with the birth of my first child in Tokyo (read my birth story here!) but I have been wanting to investigate other options for my next birth. I realized that my greatest resource is the other mothers in our Tokyo community, so I asked them for their recommendations on mom and baby friendly hospitals or birth centers and here they are!

To be considered for this list, hospitals/clinics must meet the following criteria:

• support skin to skin directly after birth if there are no complications
• allow for alternative birthing positions/options such as a water birth, birthing off the table or in a position other than your back
• allow for a birth partner in the room with you during labor and delivery
• allow your partner and baby to room in with you during your stay (or at least baby)
• promotes breastfeeding directly after birth and provides consultations in the following recovery days

Optional:

• access to pain relief, such as an epidural 
• English support (although not required for this list)

Note: The information provided here comes from the personal experience of mothers who delivered at that particular place. As policies, doctors, and facilities tend to change over time,  so please be sure to double check with the facility to ensure the accuracy of the information. This list begins with hospitals. Please scroll down for maternity clinics and birth houses!

---

Hospitals

St. Luke’s Hospital and Birth Clinic

• Kangaroo care (skin to skin) allowed after birth unless it is a c-section delivery. In some cases (like after a c-section) for up to 12 hours, so please double check the hospital policy to see in what circumstance this could happen
• You may choose the music you want played in the OR during a c-section
• Everyone will receive a private room. They may ask you to be able to stand by yourself before baby can room in with you (something to consider particularly if you are having a c-section or there is a possibility of one. They will still bring the baby to you for breastfeeding even if they are in the nursery)
• All doctors and nurses spoke English (or English-speaking staff will be assigned to your room)
• Possibility of frequent newborn testing in the nursery, requiring you to go back and forth with baby
• Father cannot stay overnight even in a private room
• Click here to read about Tokyo doula Stephanie Kawai’s experience with a labor at St. Luke’s
• Hospital Website (English)

Nisseki Red Cross Hospital, Hiroo

• Water birth option
• No epidural option as they believe it could harm the baby and slow down the birth process
• Midwives and nurses promote breastfeeding and will help you after delivery
• Ability to move freely during labor and husband and doula allowed in the room during labor and delivery
• Accepts national health insurance and cheaper than Aiiku and other private hospitals
• Father can only stay overnight in the most expensive room options
• Baby can room in with you 24/7 except for during short checks
• No delayed chord clamping option (However, one mother said she was able to advocate heavily for it and did end up getting it)
• Hospital Information (English)
• Hospital Website (Japanese only)
• Click here to read about Kate from Tokyo Urban Baby’s experience at Nisseki

Aiiku Hospital, Tamachi

• Famous hospital with on demand epidural access
• Ability to work with two doctors who are fluent in English, Dr. Sen and Dr. Sakamoto. Nurses and front desk workers in the International Clinic also speak English and are very helpful. Note: Midwives and nurses at the hospital during labor and after may or may not speak English
• You may also choose the “open system” option and work with the on call doctor (who possible speaks English) at both your check ups and delivery. This is significantly cheaper than hiring Dr. Sen/Sakamoto.
• Prenatal appointments are generally at Aiiku Clinic in Hiroo. However, you may see the doctors directly at the hospital if you are not working with Sen/Sakamoto.
• Father can room in with the mother and baby in some private rooms
• Midwives and nurses promote breastfeeding and will help you after delivery. Breastfeeding room with pumps also available.
• Ability to move freely during labor if not using an epidural. Options for delivery depend on your doctor. If you work with Sen/Sakamoto you should have other delivery options versus on your back.
• Dr. Sen/Sakamoto are more forward thinking and will usually be able to accommodate your birth plan
• Father and doula allowed during labor and delivery
• Nurse/midwife from Aiiku Clinic will come to your home after the first week to assess baby and check your recovery. You can also call Dr. Sen/Sakamoto with any questions or issues postpartum.
• Cost: Accepts national health insurance but is still quite an expensive hospital (about 1,000,000yen without an epidural for a 3-4 day stay) Cost reflects the additional cost of hiring Dr. Sen/Sakamoto as your private doctor. If you choose the “open system” option which gives you the on call doctor during delivery, then the base cost (as of April 2019) for a shared room for four days and no epidural is ¥722,000, before you subtract ¥420,000 for the government issued “lump sum allowance” leaving an out-of-pocket-cost of ¥302,000. Epidurals are ¥250,000 without taking the class and ¥200,000 if you take the informational class before birth.
• International Clinic at Aiiku Clinic’s Website (English)
• Hospital Website (English)
• Check out my blog post touring Aiiku Hospital and also read my birth story from my delivery there
• Tokyo doula, Stephanie Kawai has assisted many births at Aiiku, Click here to read several birth stories on her website

Seibo Catholic Hospital, Shinjuku ku

• Allow for freedom to labor in different positions if no epidural. Birth partner can be in the room with you (but only husband, not other family members)
• Epidural available during certain hours and on week days. You can reserve it if you are induced but with a natural labor you may not be able to receive it if it is outside hours.
• Supports breastfeeding and rooming in with baby
• Be aware that prenatal checks tend to be very busy and you may not get much time with the doctor.
• Click here to read about local Tokyo doula, Stephanie Kawai’s, experience assisting with a labor at Seibo.
• Hospital Website (English)

Seijo Kinoshita Hospital, Setagaya ku

• Dr. Kinoshita is known for being quite flexible with laboring positions etc unless there is a complication.
• Modern, updated facility. Smaller hospital with a focus on maternal and pediatric care, among other things.
• 24 hour on demand epidural
• Ability to choose a female doctor
• Hospital Website (English)

Jikei University Hospital, Nishishimbashi/Daimon

• Epidural available within working hours or with a scheduled induction
• English support available
• Skin to skin after birth
• Husband can be in the delivery room and stay during visiting hours after birth but not overnight
• One mother said they encourage breastfeeding and offer advice, lend pumps and come check the progress for new momma’s. The same goes for after birth checks, midwife’s are very helpful in explaining correct latching etc.
• Total cost for five days stay in a shared room with epidural: ¥760,000 before insurance. After NHI: ¥340,000
• English website
• Women’s and Children’s Medical Center Website (Japanese only)

Nagai Mother’s Hospital, Saitama

• On demand epidural, no reservation needed. Also same cost with or without the epidural which isn’t common in Japan.
• Option to voluntarily induce labor.
• One person is allowed in the room with you during labor
• All rooms are private
• Some doctors may speak English but Japanese is recommended
• Hospital Website (Japanese only)

Kanto Rozai Hospital, Kawasaki

• Encourages kangaroo care after birth and breastfeeding (although some midwives/nurses are more helpful than others according to some mothers)
• English support may not be available
• No epidural option or planned c-section without a medical reason
• Hospital Website (English)
• Maternity Ward Website (Japanese only)

Hori Hospital, Yokohama

• Maternity hospital with a connected pediatric clinic
• At least one doctor speaks fluent English
• According to one mother, the hospital assigns a midwife or lactation consultant to everyone during their hospital stay
• Multiple room selections and the quality of the food is high. Also close to the station so easy for family and friends to visit
• Inexpensive and one mother noted that she even received money back from her insurance after her stay
• Hospital Obstetrics Website (Japanese only)
• Main Hospital Website (Japanese only) and see photos of the hospital here

Nerima Hospital, Nerima ku

• Husband able to be with the mother during delivery but cannot stay overnight in the hospital as there are no private rooms. One mother said her sister was able to stay with her during labor until she progressed enough to enter the delivery room. During delivery she could view from the room next door that was open (You may want to double check this policy with the hospital though if you plan to have other family attend the birth)
• Exercise balls and birthing chairs are available
• Family is also not allowed in the rooms but can view the baby through a window
• Skin to skin is allowed after birth. After some quick checks the baby should be returned to you and you can try to breastfeed. The baby will stay in your room with you until you move to the recovery room
• Japanese hospital and possibly no English support
• No epidural access
• Hospital Website (Japanese only)

Aoba Women’s Hospital, Yokohama

• Famous for their “Cocoon” delivery room which allows you to choose your preferred experience of sight, sound, smell and leave you with fond memories of your labor and delivery
• Very open with your birth plan and you can indicate anything you would like to include
• Very supportive of breastfeeding and skin to skin after delivery
• After care is available 24/7 if you need support with breastfeeding or have any questions about your recovery
• Accepts national health insurance
• No English support. However, if you speak Japanese and your partner doesn’t, you can indicate that in the birth plan and they will do their best with hand gestures etc
• Hospital Website (Japanese only)

Katsushika Red Cross Maternity Hospital, Katsushika ku

• Flexible birth plan, including delayed chord clamping
• Allow skin to skin after birth (advocates for kangaroo care) One mom reported receiving 20 minutes but you could perhaps advocate for more.
• Allow birthing on all fours
• Baby stays with the mother as much as possible
• Partner and family can be in the delivery room with you during delivery However, partner cannot stay overnight in the hospital
• Allows aromatherapy during labor and delivery to help with relaxation.
• Rooming in with baby during the entire stay except during routine checks
• Supportive of breastfeeding, including a breastfeeding room with midwives who can support you. Pumps available. However, make sure you are clear in your intent to not use formula if you plan to exclusively breastfeed as some midwives may offer it.
• Private rooms available after delivery although not guaranteed if it is busy.
• No epidural option
• Some English support if you need. For example you may be assigned an English speaking nurse or doctor during your visits if you request it. Although the recommender spoke mostly in Japanese.
• Cost: ¥405,500 for birth, two nights in the ward and two nights in a private room (meals included).

Hospital Website (Japanese and some English)

---

Maternity Clinics/Birth Houses

The following recommendations are clinics and birth houses and not a working hospital. However, all of them do work with hospitals for emergency situations and certain checks. Please visit their website for more details.

Mejiro Birth House, Toshima ku

• Ability to move around during all stages of labor and delivery
• Immediate skin to skin and breastfeeding after birth
• Possibility of delayed chord clamping
• Ability for family (husband and other children) to potentially stay with you at the birth house.
• English speaking midwife
• Strict diet and exercise regime prior to giving birth (although one mother said this was flexible)
• Breastfeeding is encouraged and regular breast massage is available to help with engorgement
• Option to have a water birth if you request before your waters have broken
• Possibility of having to use the birthing chair for delivery (but it seems this is an old policy and more recent mothers have said this was not the case for them. Please confirm with the midwife)
• Works with a local hospital in the case of an emergency
• You begin your appointments after your pregnancy has been confirmed at a hospital (around 15 weeks)
• Does not accept national health insurance
• Entire birth is around 500,000yen
• Clinic Website (English)

Tokyo Mother’s Clinic, Setagaya ku

• Dr. Hayashi, the main doctor, speaks English very well as does the front desk staff. All paperwork can be given and completed in English.
• You are able to get an epidural by request at any time during labor and without a scheduled induction (which is more common in Japan)
• The staff is very involved and will help you take care of your newborn between feeds so you can recover easier. Mothers also mentioned the food being very good here.
• Very modern facilities including high-level ultasounds and private rooms. Less patients so more individualized care after birth. However, as with other expensive hospitals, you are getting what you pay for.
• Total cost for 5 nights with epidural was 1,200,000 yen (on par with Aiiku)
• Clinic Website (English)

Akagawa Clinic, Ogikubo

• No nursery and all rooms have a place for the father to sleep, so rooming in is the norm. Fathers are expected to be there and involved.
• English depends on the staff on rotation but may be available
• No epidural option
• Clinic Website (Japanese only)

Oshio Women’s Clinic, Urayasu, Chiba

• English support is so-so with Dr. Oshio but some of the midwives and nurses speak English according to one mother
• Mothers overall had a positive experience
• Click here to read doula Stephanie Kawai’s experience with a birth at Oshio
• Clinic Website(Japanese only) and English website

Matugaoka Birth House

• Option to have a home birth, birth at the birth house, or have a midwife support you at Nisseki Red Cross Hospital
• Some restrictions on diet and clothing (but can easily be worked around/ignored if it doesn’t suit you according to one mother)
• Click here to read a write up by Stephanie Kawai, local doula in Tokyo, about her client’s home birth with Matugaoka Birth House
• Clinic Website  (English)

Ikuryo Clinic, Nakameguro

• Offers active birthing and water birth
• Husband and baby can room in with the mother after delivery
• Staff supports breastfeeding
• Total cost according to one mother: “My delivery costs plus 4 night stay in Western style room was ¥810000 Inc water birth. I paid an extra ¥7000 for an hour long full body massage during my stay.”
• Note: Some mothers have mentioned that in recent years this clinic is not as accommodating if you do not speak Japanese. Also, they are very strict about weight gain during pregnancy
• Clinic Website (Japanese only)

Toho Women’s Clinic, Koto ku

• English support available with at least one doctor, although not much more information available besides one mother saying it was mom/baby friendly
• Clinic Website (Japanese Only) Some photos available on the website

Toyoshima Sanfujinka in Nishiogi Minami, Suginami ku

• Recently remodeled
• Some midwives may have English ability but the doctor’s is minimal
• Rooming in with baby is the norm as their is no nursery
• Birth partner and children are allowed and can stay with the mother and new baby
• No epidural option
• Clinic Website (Japanese only)

Hagukumi Clinic, Kawasaki

• Any time shuttle service from the station,
• New day clinic building just opened,
• Great for breastfeeding, rooming in, aromatherapy, great rooms and fantastic food, reasonable prices and great nurses
• C-section as option too, unfortunately due to these it’s highly popular. Also because there are not many options in Kawasaki or Yokohama which reach a similar level
• Clinic Website (Japanese only)

Shonan Kamakura Birth Clinic, Kamakura

• Support kangaroo care and encourage breastfeeding,
• Freedom of movement during labor
• Husbands and children can stay in the rooms of which they have both Japanese and western style
• They offer pre and post natal yoga classes. There is a pediatric ward within the beautiful building.
• All check ups are done by extremely friendly women some of whom speak and understand some English. They prefer if there is a Japanese speaker though.
• One mother said that in her previous pregnancy she had check ups with male doctors who were to the point and a little too harsh, these ladies are gentle and know how to check without it hurting.
• Clinic Website (Japanese only)

Tsuchiya Clinic, Fuchu-shi

• Promotes breastfeeding, skin to skin, and freedom of movement throughout labor
• Private rooms in Japanese or Western style for labor and delivery
• No epidural option
• Clinic Website (Japanese only)

Do you have any recommendations to add to this list? Please let me know in the comments!