Prefecture Directory · Tohoku
Iwate 岩手県
Iwate is the second-largest prefecture in Japan by area, covering the central Pacific coast of the Tohoku region. The prefecture rebuilt substantially after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami and has invested in disaster-resilient healthcare infrastructure. Foreign residents include skilled workers in manufacturing and growing numbers of international students at Iwate University.
Healthcare landscape
Iwate Medical University Hospital in Morioka is the primary referral hospital for complex and specialized care. Reconstruction investment has strengthened coastal hospital capacity along the Sanriku coast. Iwate Prefecture International Exchange Association provides multilingual consultation support and maintains a list of local resources for foreign residents navigating the health system.
Multilingual medical support
いわて外国人県民相談・支援センター
公益財団法人 岩手県国際交流協会
- Phone
- 019-654-8900
- Hours
- 毎日 9:00〜20:00（年末年始12/29〜1/3・設備保守点検日休）
- Languages
- 日本語, 英語, 中国語, ベトナム語, 韓国語
Public health center (保健所)
Iwate Prefecture operates public health centers (保健所, hokenjo) across its municipalities. Public health centers manage infectious disease surveillance, maternal and child health programs, and mental health consultation. Contact the prefectural health department or your municipal office to locate the nearest hokenjo.
Emergency numbers in Japan
- Ambulance / Fire: 119
- Police: 110
- Japan Helpline (24-hr English): 0570-000-911
- JNTO Tourist Helpline: 050-3816-2787 (available for medical referrals)
See our emergency guide for full details on calling an ambulance and communicating with emergency services in Japan.
Last reviewed: September 2026