English-Speaking Osteopath in Kyoto

Kyoto Osteopathy Center OQ · Est. February 2007
The ORIGINAL Kyoto Osteopathy Center. A similarly-named clinic exists nearby — please do not confuse them.

Whether you live in Kyoto or are visiting, finding healthcare in English can be stressful — especially when you are already in pain. At OQ, both practitioners speak English, and we have been welcoming international patients since we opened in 2007.

What patients say

OQ has 125+ Google reviews, all five stars. Here is what international patients tell us most often:

English communication — 10 out of 14 international reviewers specifically praised it
Traveller-friendly care — Three separate reviewers used the same phrase about their Kyoto trip being rescued by our care
Gentle but effective — Our approach is gentle and non-invasive; patients frequently say they are surprised by the results
No rushing, no upselling — We take time to listen, explain, and never push unnecessary sessions

Two practitioners, both English-friendly

Yusuke Sakata — Director (Ground Floor)

BSc(Ost) from Swansea University, Wales. Trained and qualified in the UK. EVOST graduate (evolutionary medicine-based osteopathy, Belgium — the only graduate in Asia). Member of the Institute of Classical Osteopathy, England. Practicing since 2001, OQ founder since 2007.

Specialties: Paediatrics, pregnancy and postpartum care, gynaecological conditions, visceral osteopathy, autoimmune and skin conditions, whole-body structural osteopathy.

English level: Fluent — studied and practised in the UK for years. International patients consistently describe his English as excellent.

Sota Omura — Co-Director (Second Floor)

PT (Physical Therapist), MSc. BSc(Ost) expected 2026. Registered physiotherapist with specialist training in gait analysis, postural assessment, and lower-limb rehabilitation.

Specialties: Lower back pain, hip and knee conditions, post-stroke rehabilitation, gait training, custom insoles.

English level: Conversational, supplemented with translation tools. International patients consistently report clear and effective communication.

What is osteopathy? (And how it differs from physio and chiropractic)

If you searched for “physio in Kyoto” or “chiropractor in Kyoto,” you may not have considered osteopathy — but the approach might be exactly what you are looking for.

Osteopathy is a hands-on healthcare discipline that looks at the body as a connected whole. Rather than treating only the area that hurts, an osteopath evaluates how different parts of your body — muscles, joints, fascia, organs, and the nervous system — interact and influence each other.

In practical terms:

Unlike typical physiotherapy, osteopathy focuses on hands-on assessment and treatment rather than exercise prescription. (Sota Omura, our Co-Director, is also a qualified physiotherapist, so we integrate both perspectives.)
Unlike chiropractic, osteopathy at OQ does not involve spinal cracking or high-velocity thrusting. Our approach is gentle — patients often describe it as surprisingly soft.
Unlike massage, osteopathy addresses structural, visceral, and neurological patterns — not just muscle tension.

What we commonly see

International patients visit OQ for a wide range of concerns:

Travel-related pain — Back pain from long flights, neck stiffness from carrying luggage, jet lag, headaches
Chronic conditions — Recurring back pain, migraines, TMJ/jaw pain, digestive issues
Sports and activity injuries — Running injuries, hiking strain, martial arts injuries
Pregnancy and postpartum — Prenatal discomfort, postpartum recovery, C-section scar care
Children — Infant colic, torticollis, sleep difficulties, growing pains
Post-surgical recovery — After joint replacement, abdominal surgery, or other procedures

Pricing

All prices include tax. No hidden fees.

Sessions with Yusuke Sakata (Director)

First Visit (60 min): ¥14,300
Follow-up (40 min): ¥11,000
Follow-up Extended (60 min): ¥16,500
Sunday & Holiday Session (60 min): ¥18,000

Sessions with Sota Omura (Co-Director)

First Visit (60 min): ¥11,000
Follow-up (60 min): ¥11,000
Saturday Session (60 min): ¥15,000

Payment: Cash or card at the clinic. Weekend/holiday sessions require a deposit or advance payment. Cancellation policy details here.

How to book

Booking is simple. Choose whichever is easiest for you:

Online — Book through our online system (English interface, instant confirmation)
WhatsApp — Message us on WhatsApp (Yusuke responds in English, usually within a few hours)
Phone — +81-75-822-3003 (Japanese and English)

Same-day or next-day appointments are often available. If you are a traveller in pain, let us know your schedule and we will do our best to fit you in.

🟢 💬 Message us on WhatsApp

What to bring

Clothing: We provide comfortable clothing for your session — no need to bring anything
Medical records: If you have recent imaging (X-ray, MRI) or reports, feel free to bring them, but they are not required
Yusuke’s treatment room is on the ground floor — fully accessible, no stairs needed

Getting here

466 Shichikencho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8366, Japan

🚶 2-minute walk from Omiya Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line)
🚌 Also accessible from Shijo-Omiya bus stop
📍 Open in Google Maps

From central Kyoto: Take the Hankyu Kyoto Line from Karasuma Station (one stop) or Kawaramachi Station (two stops) to Omiya Station. Exit and walk north for 2 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Do you speak English?

Yes. Yusuke Sakata (Director) is fluent in English — he studied and qualified in the United Kingdom. Sota Omura (Co-Director) communicates in conversational English with the support of translation tools when needed. You do not need to speak Japanese to visit OQ.

I am only in Kyoto for a few days. Is one session worth it?

Absolutely. Many travellers visit once for acute pain — a stiff neck from flying, lower back pain from walking all day — and leave feeling significantly better. We will give you honest advice about what one session can and cannot achieve, and we will never pressure you into booking more.

What does osteopathy cost in Japan?

At OQ, a first visit (60 minutes) costs ¥14,300 with Yusuke or ¥11,000 with Sota. Follow-up sessions start at ¥11,000. Osteopathy is not covered by Japanese national health insurance, but many international travel insurance plans reimburse manual therapy — check with your provider. We can provide a receipt in English.

Can I book same-day?

Often, yes. Message us on WhatsApp or call +81-75-822-3003 and we will check availability right away. Travellers in acute pain are always a priority.

Is this the same as a chiropractor? Will you crack my back?

No. OQ’s approach is gentle and non-invasive — no spinal cracking, no high-velocity thrusting. Patients frequently describe our techniques as surprisingly soft. We assess and treat the body as a whole, using subtle hands-on methods that work with your tissues rather than forcing them.

Do you treat children?

Yes. Yusuke has extensive experience with paediatric osteopathy — from newborns (as early as two weeks old) to teenagers. The techniques used for children are extremely gentle. Many parents bring their children alongside their own session.

Can I use my travel insurance?

OQ is a private practice and does not bill insurance directly. However, many international travel and health insurance plans cover manual therapy. We can provide an English-language receipt and a treatment summary for your claim. Please check your policy before your visit.

Kyoto Osteopathy Center OQ
Est. February 2007 · The ORIGINAL Kyoto Osteopathy Center
466 Shichikencho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8366
📞 +81-75-822-3003
💬 WhatsApp · Book Online · Google Maps