Gamma Knife Treatment in Japan: Base Fee of JPY 1,000,000 and What Is and Is Not Included

When considering Gamma Knife treatment abroad, it can be difficult to determine how much the treatment will cost and what is included in the price shown.

The cost of Gamma Knife treatment varies depending on the country, medical institution, insurance system, and the examinations and procedures required. Therefore, the amount displayed alone may not represent the total cost you will ultimately need to pay.

For international patients traveling to Japan for Gamma Knife treatment, our hospital provides information in advance about the base fee, what is included in that fee, and what is not included. Before you travel, our physician reviews your medical images and clinical information and provides an estimated cost during an online consultation.

This article explains the base fee for Gamma Knife treatment at our hospital, the services included and excluded, and how you can receive a cost estimate before traveling to Japan.

The fees described in this article apply to international patients receiving treatment on a self-pay basis. They are different from the out-of-pocket costs paid by patients using Japan’s public health insurance system.

Base Fee for Gamma Knife Treatment in Japan

Our Base Fee Is JPY 1,000,000

The base fee for Gamma Knife treatment at our hospital is JPY 1,000,000.

In addition to the Gamma Knife procedure itself, this fee includes the MRI and CT examinations required for treatment. If a hearing test is necessary based on the patient’s condition, the cost of that test is also included in the base fee.

This amount is the base fee charged by our hospital when providing Gamma Knife treatment to international patients. It is not a standardized fee used by all medical institutions in Japan. Treatment systems and pricing policies vary among medical institutions.

※The fees stated on this page are current at the time of publication and may be revised without prior notice due to changes in labor, material, or other operating costs.

JPY 1,000,000 Is the Base Fee, and the Final Cost Depends on the Treatment Required

The JPY 1,000,000 base fee includes Gamma Knife treatment, MRI, CT, and a hearing test when medically necessary.

However, the final amount paid by every patient will not necessarily be exactly JPY 1,000,000. Depending on the patient’s medical condition and treatment plan, additional fees may apply.

For patients with an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, we generally recommend angiography, although the physician may omit it in some cases. When angiography is performed, an additional fee of JPY 100,000 applies. This fee includes the examination, one overnight hospital stay, basic amenities, and the private room fee, so the overnight stay for the examination is not charged separately.

Hospitalization other than the overnight stay included in the angiography fee is charged separately, for example when a patient requests hospitalization or when hospitalization is required. These fees will depend on the number of nights spent in the hospital.

Specific additional costs will be explained after we confirm the examinations and length of hospitalization required.

You Can Receive an Estimated Cost Before Traveling to Japan

Before a patient travels to Japan, our physician reviews medical images such as MRI scans together with the patient’s clinical information.

Based on this review, we explain the general treatment plan and provide an estimated cost during an online consultation.

If angiography or hospitalization may be required, we will also explain this before the patient travels to Japan.

The final cost may change depending on the results of the in-person examination, the treatment provided, the examinations required, and the length of hospitalization.

What Is Included in the Gamma Knife Treatment Base Fee

Main Services Included in the Base Fee

The JPY 1,000,000 base fee includes the main consultations, examinations, treatment planning, and treatment procedures required for Gamma Knife treatment.

The main services included are:

• Medical consultation on the day of treatment
• MRI examination
• CT examination
• Hearing test when medically necessary
• Gamma Knife treatment and radiation delivery
• Creation of a treatment plan based on medical imaging data
• Post-treatment explanation and basic follow-up guidance

For Gamma Knife treatment, medical images such as MRI and CT scans are used to identify the location and condition of the lesion and to create an appropriate treatment plan.

If a hearing test is required based on the patient’s condition, the cost of the test is also included in the base fee.

The Fee Covers the Main Process from Examinations to Post-Treatment Guidance

The base fee covers the MRI and CT examinations needed to prepare the treatment plan, radiation delivery using the Gamma Knife system, and post-treatment explanations.

This allows patients to review what is included in the base fee when considering the expected cost of receiving treatment in Japan.

However, an additional fee of JPY 100,000 applies if angiography is performed for an AVM patient, and additional hospitalization fees apply if hospitalization beyond the overnight stay included in that fee is necessary. These additional costs will be explained after the required examinations and expected length of hospitalization have been confirmed.

What Is Not Included in the Gamma Knife Treatment Base Fee

Angiography for Patients with AVM

We generally recommend angiography for patients with an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM. In some cases, the physician may decide that angiography is not necessary and omit it.

The cost of angiography is not included in the JPY 1,000,000 base fee. When angiography is performed, an additional fee of JPY 100,000 applies.

The additional fee of JPY 100,000 includes the angiography examination, one overnight hospital stay associated with the examination, basic amenities, and the private room fee. The overnight stay is therefore not charged separately.

Before the patient travels to Japan, we will provide an estimated cost after confirming the required examination and whether any hospitalization beyond the included overnight stay is expected.

Hospitalization Costs

The following hospitalization cost is not included in the JPY 1,000,000 base fee:

• Hospitalization requested by the patient

If a patient chooses to be hospitalized or hospitalization is required, an additional fee will be charged according to the number of nights. The one overnight stay associated with angiography for AVM patients is not part of this charge, because it is included in the JPY 100,000 additional angiography fee.

Whether hospitalization is required and the expected length of stay will depend on the patient’s condition and treatment plan.

Before the patient travels to Japan, we review the medical images and clinical information. If hospitalization may be necessary, we will explain this in advance.

Non-Medical Costs Such as Travel and Accommodation

Non-medical expenses, including travel to Japan and accommodation during the patient’s stay, are not included in the base fee.

The JPY 1,000,000 fee covers the main consultations, examinations, and procedures required for Gamma Knife treatment.

Patients are responsible for arranging and paying separately for:

• Travel to and from Japan
• Accommodation outside the hospital
• Transportation within Japan
• Other non-medical expenses

Additional Costs Will Be Explained Before You Travel

If angiography or hospitalization may be required, our physician will review the medical images and clinical information provided by the patient and explain the expected requirements during the online consultation.

Specific additional costs will be provided as an estimate once the required examinations and expected length of hospitalization have been determined.

How to Confirm the Estimated Cost of Gamma Knife Treatment Before Traveling

Send Us Your MRI Images and Clinical Information

International patients can receive an estimated cost for Gamma Knife treatment before traveling to Japan.

The first step is to send us medical images, such as MRI scans, together with your clinical information.

Our physician needs to review both the images and clinical information to assess the patient’s condition and the characteristics of the lesion.

Our Physician Reviews the Images and Clinical Information

Based on the images and clinical information provided, our physician considers whether Gamma Knife treatment may be appropriate and identifies the examinations and procedures that may be required.

Depending on the patient’s condition and treatment plan, angiography for an AVM or hospitalization may be necessary.

At this stage, we also consider whether costs in addition to the base fee may apply.

We Explain the Treatment Plan and Estimated Cost During an Online Consultation

After the physician has reviewed the information, we explain the general treatment plan and estimated cost during an online consultation.

Receiving an estimate before traveling allows patients and their families to consider the budget required for treatment in Japan.

If additional costs may apply for angiography, hospitalization, or other services not included in the base fee, we will explain them to the extent possible.

The amount provided during the online consultation is an estimate based on the images and clinical information available at that time.

The final cost may change depending on the results of the in-person examination and the actual treatment provided.

Points to Consider When Comparing Gamma Knife Treatment Costs

Prices Cannot Be Compared Based on the Displayed Amount Alone

The cost of Gamma Knife treatment varies depending on the country and medical institution where treatment is provided.

The amount a patient actually pays may also vary depending on the insurance system, whether imaging examinations are included, and whether hospitalization is required.

For this reason, it is not possible to determine whether treatment is expensive or inexpensive simply by comparing the amounts displayed on hospital websites.

When comparing treatment costs, it is important to confirm the conditions under which each price is presented.

For a closer look at how treatment prices are set in Japan and the United States, see our article on how Gamma Knife treatment costs in Japan differ from the US.

Check What Is Included in the Price

Even when two medical institutions advertise a fee for Gamma Knife treatment, the services included in that fee may differ.

At one institution, examinations and treatment planning may be included in the base fee. At another institution, these services may be charged separately.

When comparing costs, check whether the following items are included:

• Medical consultation on the day of treatment
• MRI examination
• CT examination
• Hearing test when medically necessary
• Creation of a treatment plan based on medical imaging
• Gamma Knife treatment and radiation delivery
• Post-treatment explanations and follow-up guidance
• Additional charges for angiography or hospitalization, when required

At our hospital, the JPY 1,000,000 base fee includes the main consultations and examinations required for Gamma Knife treatment.

MRI, CT, and a hearing test when medically necessary are included in the base fee.

However, an additional fee applies when angiography is performed for patients with an AVM, and additional fees apply for hospitalization requested by the patient.

If these additional services may be necessary, we will explain them before the patient travels to Japan.

Confirm the Estimated Cost Before Traveling

When receiving treatment abroad, patients must consider not only medical costs but also travel and accommodation expenses.

It is therefore important to confirm the estimated treatment cost before deciding to travel to Japan.

At our hospital, a physician reviews the medical images and clinical information provided by the patient. We then explain the general treatment plan and estimated cost during an online consultation.

Confirming what is included in the base fee and whether additional expenses may apply can help patients and their families prepare a more realistic budget for treatment and travel.

However, the amount provided during the online consultation is an estimate. The final cost may change depending on the results of the in-person examination and the treatment provided.

Do Not Make a Decision Based on Cost Alone

It Is Important to Confirm Whether Gamma Knife Treatment Is Appropriate

Cost is an important consideration when choosing where to receive treatment. However, the decision to undergo Gamma Knife treatment should not be based on price alone.

Whether Gamma Knife treatment is appropriate depends on the patient’s condition, the characteristics of the lesion, and the treatment required.

Patients should receive a medical assessment from a physician in addition to reviewing the expected cost.

Our Physician Reviews the Medical Images and Clinical Information

At our hospital, a physician reviews the MRI scans and other medical images together with the clinical information provided by the patient.

Based on this information, the physician considers whether Gamma Knife treatment may be appropriate and identifies the examinations and procedures that may be required.

We then explain the general treatment plan and estimated cost during an online consultation.

A review of the medical images and clinical information does not guarantee that treatment will be provided.

The final treatment plan will be determined after the patient’s condition has been assessed.

You Can Consider Traveling After Confirming the Expected Treatment and Cost

Receiving medical treatment abroad requires preparation not only for the treatment itself but also for travel to and accommodation in Japan.

Before a patient decides to travel, we review the medical images and clinical information and provide an overview of the potential treatment plan and estimated cost.

By confirming both whether Gamma Knife treatment may be appropriate and how much the treatment is expected to cost, patients and their families can make a more informed decision about receiving treatment in Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gamma Knife Treatment Costs

Is the Base Fee Always JPY 1,000,000?

JPY 1,000,000 is the base fee for Gamma Knife treatment at our hospital.

The fee includes the MRI and CT examinations required for Gamma Knife treatment. If a hearing test is medically necessary based on the patient’s condition, the cost of the hearing test is also included.

However, an additional fee of JPY 100,000 applies if angiography is performed for an AVM patient (this fee includes one overnight hospital stay, basic amenities, and the private room fee), and additional fees apply if the patient is hospitalized at their request.

The final cost will depend on the examinations required and the length of hospitalization.

What Is Included in the Base Fee?

The base fee includes:

• Medical consultation on the day of treatment
• MRI examination
• CT examination
• Hearing test when medically necessary
• Gamma Knife treatment and radiation delivery
• Creation of a treatment plan based on medical imaging
• Post-treatment explanation and basic follow-up guidance

If angiography is performed or additional hospitalization is required, additional fees will apply.

Are MRI and CT Costs Included?

Yes. The costs of the MRI and CT examinations required for Gamma Knife treatment are included in the JPY 1,000,000 base fee.

If a hearing test is medically necessary based on the patient’s condition, the cost of the test is also included.

Are Travel and Accommodation Costs Included?

No. Non-medical expenses, including travel to Japan and accommodation during your stay, are not included in the base fee.

The JPY 1,000,000 fee provided by our hospital is the base medical fee for Gamma Knife treatment.

Patients are responsible for arranging and paying separately for travel and accommodation.

Can I Confirm the Cost Before Traveling to Japan?

Yes. You can receive an estimated cost before traveling.

First, please send us your medical images, such as MRI scans, together with your clinical information.

After reviewing the information, our physician will explain the general treatment plan and estimated cost during an online consultation.

However, the amount provided is an estimate. The final cost may change depending on the results of the in-person examination and the treatment provided.

Can I Find Out in Advance Whether I Can Receive Gamma Knife Treatment?

Before you travel, our physician can review your medical images and clinical information and consider whether Gamma Knife treatment may be appropriate.

However, this preliminary review and the online consultation do not guarantee that treatment will be provided.

The final treatment plan will be determined after the patient’s condition has been assessed.

Confirm the Expected Treatment and Cost Through an Online Consultation

Send Us Your MRI Images and Clinical Information

If you would like to confirm the cost of Gamma Knife treatment or whether the treatment may be appropriate for you, please begin by requesting an online consultation.

Before the consultation, you will need to send us medical images, such as MRI scans, together with your clinical information.

Based on the information provided, our physician will consider whether Gamma Knife treatment may be appropriate and identify the examinations and procedures that may be required.

We Will Provide an Estimated Cost Before You Travel

After the physician has reviewed your information, we will explain the general treatment plan and estimated cost during an online consultation.

Because you can confirm the approximate cost before traveling to Japan, you and your family can consider a budget that includes treatment, travel, and accommodation expenses.

If an AVM patient may require angiography, we will explain the angiography, the additional angiography fee, and the included overnight stay in advance.

Additional hospitalization fees will also apply if hospitalization is requested by the patient. These fees will depend on the number of nights spent in the hospital.

Specific costs for angiography and hospitalization will be provided as an estimate after the required procedures and expected length of stay have been confirmed.

An Online Consultation Does Not Guarantee Treatment or the Final Cost

At the time of the online consultation, we cannot guarantee that Gamma Knife treatment will be provided, that a particular treatment outcome will be achieved, or that the estimated cost will be the final amount.

Whether Gamma Knife treatment is appropriate and the final cost of treatment will be determined based on the medical images, clinical information, results of the in-person examination, and the treatment actually provided.

If you would like to confirm the expected cost of Gamma Knife treatment and whether the treatment may be appropriate for you, please apply for an online consultation through our inquiry page.