Okayama Medical Center: More Than Just a Hospital

Okayama Medical Center (OMC) was the perfect place for my balloon pulmonary angioplastyBalloon Pulmonary Angioplasty Balloon pulmonary angioplasty, or BPA for short, is a technique for widening narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the lungs of CTEPH patients. Small balloons attached to a catheter restore blood flow to areas of the lungs that do not receive blood due to the disease.  When successful, BPA eliminates or reduces shortness of breath, increases exercise tolerance and quality of life, and extends life expectancy. (BPABalloon Pulmonary Angioplasty Balloon pulmonary angioplasty, or BPA for short, is a technique for widening narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the lungs of CTEPH patients. Small balloons attached to a catheter restore blood flow to areas of the lungs that do not receive blood due to the disease.  When successful, BPA eliminates or reduces shortness of breath, increases exercise tolerance and quality of life, and extends life expectancy.) treatment. This hospital hosts one of the most experienced BPA centers in the world [1], and let me tell you, the medical team’s proficiency is quite evident. I was hospitalized for four weeks, from mid-October to mid-November 2022, and four days in June 2023. Fortunately, I didn’t need a wheelchair and could explore my ward and the hospital’s public areas.

I had no idea what to expect when I first arrived in Japan. To make your life easier, here’s what I discovered. It can help you prepare for your trip (but read the disclaimer first).

Location

The hospital is about 30 minutes by car from central Okayama or 15 minutes from Okayama Momotaro Airport. It sits in a rural area surrounded by suburban housing estates and paddy fields. During my stays, I had a room in ward 9B on the 9th floor that offered amazing views.

The official name of the hospital is National Hospital Organization Okayama Medical Center (国立病院機構 岡山医療センター). Click here to see the OMC’s location on Google Maps.

WiFi and Internet Access

Admission and discharge

It’s wise to arrange your treatment in advance and make an appointment for your arrival.

You will be admitted and discharged on a weekday. Except for emergencies, the hospital usually admits and discharges patients from 9:00 to 16:00 (9 am to 4 pm) on weekdays unless it’s a Japanese public holiday (here is a list of Japanese public holidays). – Please keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Departments

As a CTEPHChronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension CTEPH is short for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare form of high blood pressure in the lungs caused by blood clots or narrowed blood vessels. High blood pressure in the lungs is often also called pulmonary hypertension. patient, you will be interacting with the departments listed below. Getting to these areas is a breeze by using the central elevator. Most departments have their own reception where you submit your examination request. Feel free to ask for help from the staff if needed.

• The reception area is on the 2nd floor, and you have to register there when you arrive at the hospital. To reach the 2nd floor, you can use either the escalator or the elevator from the main entrance hall on the 1st floor (ground floor).
• The radiology department is also on the 2nd floor. You need to go there for chest X-rays, CT scans, and ventilation-perfusion scans (V/Q scans). A V/Q scan takes about 30 minutes.
• The lung and heart centers are on the 3rd floor. Electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and lung function tests are carried out there. An echocardiogram typically takes about 30 minutes.
• The catheter rooms are on the 5th floor in a restricted area. This is where you will be taken for your BPA procedures and right heart catheterization (RHC).
• If you’re scheduled for a 6-minute walk test, you may be sent to the physiotherapy and rehabilitation department. During my first treatment, physiotherapists came to my room, and I walked up and down the corridor. The physiotherapy and rehab department is located on the 1st floor (ground floor) in the rear area, near the restaurant, bakery, and 7-Eleven.
• Finally, the ward where your room or bed is located. CTEPH patients are typically assigned to ward 9B on the ninth floor, where you can enjoy breathtaking views.

Find the Japanese version of the plans for floors 1, 2, and 3 at this link. Enjoy translating! 🙂

Hospital Rooms

As far as I know, the hospital offers two types of rooms: single rooms and shared rooms.

I prefer a single room for my privacy and to sleep undisturbed. People tend to cough, sneeze, go to the bathroom, or make other unsettling noises during the night.

Single Rooms

The single room is a private space equipped with all the essentials one would expect in a hospital room, including a comfortable bed 🙂 , a private bathroom and shower, a sink, a large TV, a refrigerator with a freezer, a cozy couch, and ample storage space. To watch television, it is necessary to purchase a TV card.

Shared rooms

The shared rooms are a simpler and less expensive option. Typically, these rooms have four beds separated by curtains for some privacy. There is a toilet and a sink in your room. However, the showers are located outside the room and are only accessible at certain times of the day.

A shared refrigerator and freezer are available in the community kitchen of the ward, and you can ask for a TV stand on wheels (additional charges may apply). To watch television, it is necessary to purchase a TV card.

Accommodation for family members

There are no hotels or guesthouses near the hospital. Downtown Okayama has a large number of hotels, including budget ones, many within walking distance of the train station. That’s important if you want to take the bus to the hospital. Booking a hotel through online booking websites and apps is easy.

Language

日本語 – The primary language in the hospital is, of course, Japanese. The hospital has yet to make adjustments to accommodate patients who are not fluent in Japanese. All signs, forms, reports, and information are in Japanese. English proficiency varies from person to person, with some being better than others.

Most departments you deal with use a portable conversation device (“Pocket Talk”) to overcome language barriers. It’s a wonderful gadget and has proven to be helpful during important conversations. I had no language problems. I also found everyone to be very friendly, accommodating, and fun-loving (lots of smiles and laughter).

Several phone apps can translate and help read signs, forms, and reports. One of these apps is Google Lens, which I used. Google Lens is available for iOS and Android.

Cafe, Restaurant, 7-Eleven

The hospital offers a restaurant, a bakery, a 7-Eleven store, and vending machines on the 1st floor (ground floor). To get there, use the central elevators from any floor (most convenient) or the escalator at the back of the reception area on the 2nd floor.

The restaurant and bakery are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. However, 7-Eleven is open 24/7. It offers quality coffee for coffee enthusiasts like me.

There is also a coffee shop in the entrance hall of the first floor (ground floor), adjacent to the escalators.

How to get to the hospital?

There are many different ways to get to Okayama Medical Center. Choose the one that best suits your situation and physical ability.

If your airline provides you with supplemental oxygen during the flight, limit the number of flights to one. Japan’s Shinkansen train network offers an alternative and fast way to get around.

Getting to Okayama

From outside Japan

If you’re traveling from outside Japan, a good option is to fly to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) and take a train to Okayama. The train is convenient and fast, and the trip takes just over one hour, including a transfer at Shin-Osaka station. At Shin-Osaka, you must change to the Shinkansen (Japan’s bullet train), which will take you directly to downtown Okayama.

Presumably, all stations and trains are wheelchair accessible. You should be fine if you can walk 5 to 10 meters. But make sure you travel with someone who can assist you. 

On my initial visit, we flew into Osaka Kansai Airport and took the train to Okayama. Buying train tickets at the airport and train stations is easy. If necessary, use a translation app.

There are numerous direct international connections to Okayama Momotaro Airport (OKJ). To view the available routes, check this link.

From within Japan

If you’re coming from within Japan, you can fly directly to Okayama Momotaro Airport (OKJ) and then take a taxi to the hospital. The taxi ride takes about 15 minutes.

On my second visit, I stayed one night in downtown Okayama before checking into the hospital. I flew from Tokyo Haneda to Okayama and used the shuttle bus service that runs between Okayama airport and Okayama station. From there, it was a five-minute walk to my hotel. For hotels further away or if you have trouble walking, don’t worry – you can easily find taxis at the station.

From downtown Okayama to the hospital

To reach Okayama Medical Center from downtown Okayama, you can either take a taxi or a bus. The hospital is north of downtown Okayama and travel time for either option is approximately 30 minutes.

Taking Bus No. 26 from bus lane No. 7 at Okayama Station to Okayama Medical Center is a convenient and inexpensive choice. The fare for the bus ride is only 400 yen.

Taxis can be found behind (West Gate) and in front of Okayama station, or ask your hotel to book one for you.

Summary

• Okayama Medical Center offers everything you would expect from a world-class healthcare facility.
• The hospital does not provide WiFi or internet access. Therefore, it’s important to arrange your own.
• Although Japanese is the hospital’s primary language, various strategies are used to overcome the language barrier. I had no issues with communication during my time there.
• Whether you are traveling from abroad or within Japan, there are numerous ways to get to OMC. Flying is the most prominent one. Depending on your point of origin, you can fly to Osaka (KIX) or direct to Okayama (OKJ). Japan’s Shinkansen train network offers an additional fast way to get around.
• I had an amazing time at OMC. The quality of my treatment was exceptional and met the highest standards. I worked with a fantastic group of people who were both friendly and professional and had a great sense of humor. I highly recommend Okayama Medical Center for BPA treatment.

Contact Me

Please get in touch if you have comments or questions. Send me a message. I would like to hear from you, and I am happy to share more of my experience.

Disclaimer:  I gathered the information in this post during my visits to OMC in October/November 2022 and June 2023. Please note that this post is for informational purposes only, and verifying all information is essential before taking action. The author makes no guarantees and is not responsible for any adverse consequences of using this information. Read the general disclaimer here.