Written by Mareike Dornhege
It may not be the most exciting part of booking a holiday, but travel insurance is an important consideration for any responsible traveler. While it’s not a prerequisite for holidaying in Japan, there are still a lot of good reasons to at least do a bit of research into your options.
To make this decidedly unsexy process a little less painful, we’ve broken down some of the things to keep in mind while looking at Japan travel insurance and compared some of the main providers out there. Let’s get into it.
Disclaimer: Getting travel insurance is important, but we can’t make the decision for you. We can only provide information to hopefully make that decision a bit easier. Also, please note that we do not sell or provide insurance ourselves.
Do I need travel insurance for Japan?
If you’re just coming to Japan as a tourist, travel insurance is not a strict requirement for entering the country. Optional, though it may be, it’s a good option to have should things go wrong at any point.
Japan is ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, with extremely low reported crime rates. But, while you may not have to worry too much about your stuff getting stolen, there are other things to consider:
1. Adventure sports
If, like many people, you’re heading to Japan for adventure sports like skiing or snowboarding, it’s a good idea to look at travel insurance options in case you get injured while on the slopes. Similarly, if you’re planning to take part in other risky activities like hiking, rafting, or canyoning, it’s best to make sure you’re covered. Not all travel insurance policies cover adventure sports, though, so make sure to check the fine print.
2. Natural disasters and weather events impacting your trip
Japan is a safe country in many ways, but the environment here can be a harsh mistress. Typhoons or heavy rain can lead to delayed or canceled flights and bullet trains. Other things like Earthquakes, tsunamis, heavy snow, and landslides could also impact your tour plans or worse.
3. Lost or stolen luggage or passports
Let’s face it, even the most organized of us lose stuff from time to time. When you’re traveling with expensive electronics like laptops, phones, and headphones, you want to make sure you’ll be covered if you happen to misplace any of them along the way. Worse still, if god forbid you happen to lose your passport at any point, some providers will find a way to help you out.
4. Illness and injury
While getting a basic prescription for medicine in Japan is generally affordable out of pocket, more serious medical considerations like hospitalization or transport back home can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars. On top of that, language barriers and unfamiliarity with the local healthcare system can present additional anxieties. Having a travel insurance policy can give you some peace of mind and is something most travel experts recommend.
Travel insurance checklist for Japan: What should your policy cover?
Generally speaking, the main things to look out for are coverage for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation or interruption, and lost or stolen luggage or passports. Essentially, though, it’s important to check that the Japan travel insurance policy you sign up for provides enough coverage to make you feel comfortable.
Keep in mind that medical expenses really are for unforeseen situations and emergencies like accidents or getting sick on the road. Medical tourism, check-ups, or preventative treatments are usually not covered.
The pandemic made many of us nervous about international travel. While you don’t need to worry too much about it affecting your travel anymore, it’s still a good idea to check whether your plan will cover any potential COVID-19-related expenses. Not all do!
Anything else you might want to add to your travel insurance policy for Japan depends on what your itinerary looks like.
How much does Japan travel insurance cost?
Based on the providers we’ve covered below, travel insurance for Japan can cost anywhere between ¥170 and ¥1,000 per day. This depends on a lot of factors, though, including the length of your trip, your age, where you’re from, and what you want covered. At the cheapest level, you’ll have a limited amount of coverage for trip delays and medical expenses. On the other end of the spectrum, you can cover yourself for adventure sports, lost or stolen electronics, certain natural disasters, and an array of medical costs.
Insurance providers at a glance
Here is a quick, rough comparison of the different insurers we’ve mentioned that offer cover for trips to Japan for global citizens. Remember, all prices are approximate and subject to change and will vary depending on your specific circumstances. Where basic vs. extended plans were available, we picked basic for the sake of comparison.
| Policy provider | Duration of cover | Approximate price per day (29 yo/40yo) | Additional benefits | More information & purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomad Insurance Essential by SafetyWing | Up to 364 days | US$1.83/US$3.00 | Continued coverage back home, accommodation for travel delays, injuries from leisure sports and activities. | Here |
| Atlas Travel JapanSecure | Up to 364 days | US$1.50/US$2.77 | Emergency dental, local ambulance, intensive care unit, and crisis response. | Here |
| Travelex Travel Med Go | Up to 60 days | US$1.12/US$1.29 | Missed connection, baggage delay, some sports activities + good range of optional extras. | Here |
| FWD Travel insurance Premium | Up to 180 days | US$1.82/US$1.82 | 24-hour emergency assistance, emergency phone charges, money theft, fraud. | Here |
| AIG Travel Guard Essential | Up to 364 days | US$5.43/US$6.09 | Trip cancellation, missed connection, lost, stolen, or damaged baggage or travel docs. | Here |
| World Explorer by Insured Nomads | Up to 364 days | US$2.87/US$5.73 | Emergency pet transportation, lost luggage cover, you can purchase coverage for marine activities and extreme sports. | Here |
Comparing Japan insurance options for different types of travelers
Just a quick note before we get into it (another disclaimer): Always read the policy wording for any insurance very carefully before signing up. Terms and conditions can change over time and also differ depending on factors like your age, country of residence, or how extensive you want your cover to be.
We can’t recommend one best Japan travel insurance policy for everyone because we all travel differently, but we hope this overview is a starting point for you to find travel insurance for Japan that suits you personally. Also, prices are subject to change. Looking for a health insurance policy for a digital nomad visa application? Check out our dedicated article for health insurance in Japan for digital nomads.
SafetyWing
SafetyWing offers travel medical insurance with their Nomad Insurance Essential plan. The plan starts from US$1.83 per day for travelers under 40 and increases with your age.
You can extend your plan until it reaches the maximum of 364 days — after which you can renew your policy. This makes it a popular choice for long-term travelers and digital nomads. You can also kick off your SafetyWing travel medical insurance plan any time, even when already on the road.
Besides emergency medical, their policy covers the travel basics, including trip interruption, lost luggage, and stolen passports. You can also add optional coverage for things like adventure sports and electronics theft. If you’re after a more overarching plan, SafetyWing also has Nomad Insurance Complete, a comprehensive health insurance plan with travel coverage.
Travelex
Travelex has been around for quite a while, and is a popular choice with North Americans. They have a good reputation and a range of travel insurance plans, which are customizable with upgrades. Notably, some plans have kids-included pricing for children 17 and under, making it one for families to consider.
It’s important to note that their Essential, Advantage, and Ultimate plans — which are classified as comprehensive — must be purchased no later than the day before departure. Their Travel Med Go plan can be purchased after departure but provides less coverage. They also offer simple Flight Insure plans.
The Travel Med Go plan costs from around US$1.12 per day and offers basics like trip cancellation and interruption, accidental death, some sports and activities, a range of upgrades, and a maximum trip length of 60 days. On the other end of the spectrum, their Ultimate plan costs around US$7.22 per day but offers much more coverage in terms of medical, evacuation, death, and other benefits. It also has a longer maximum trip length of 180 days.
FWD
If you are from Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau, Cambodia, or the Philippines, you might want to take a look at FWD for travel insurance. A fairly new insurer, they are expanding throughout Asia and seem to offer reasonably priced plans, starting from approximately ¥278 per day.
They have three travel plans ranging from Premium to First, which, to varying degrees, cover things like travel disruption and inconveniences, overseas medical coverage, personal accident, and medical coverage back home. They also have a “Cancel for any reason” feature, which covers you for canceling, postponing, or cutting short a trip. You can add COVID-19 coverage and pre-existing medical coverage to your policy, too.
Atlas Travel (World Trips)
Starting at approximately ¥229 per day, Atlas Travel Medical Insurance is available to citizens of most countries. They offer you the option to play with the sliders, so you can, e.g., add a deductible to bring down the premium or push up the cover if you are happy to pay a bit more.
Their Atlas JapanSecure plan covers the usual medical and travel benefits as well as lost or stolen passports, personal liability, and replacement accommodation in the event of a natural disaster. What it doesn’t cover, though, is trip cancellation.
You can extend or renew your policy for up to 364 days, making it an option for longer-term travel. COVID-19 is covered. Note that Atlas is part of the World Trips portfolio.
AIG Travel Guard
AIG Travel Guard insurance gives customers the ability to adapt their plans to their needs. Offering three tiers of cover, you can select varying degrees of financial protection for most circumstances, as well as optional add-ons.
All plans cover trip interruptions, cancellations, and delays to some level or another, as well as basic medical expenses. The more expensive plans offer a bit more flexibility in terms of missed connections, hospital upgrades, roadside assistance, and things like identity theft. Plans range from around US$5.00 to US$14.00 per day for a 1-month trip.
For remote workers: Insured Nomads
For longer stays, it’s worth looking into digital nomad insurance. This insurance is specifically aimed at visitors staying in Japan for several months and working remotely. One provider is Insured Nomads, who offer coverage for up to a year. Safety Wing also covers digital nomads with their Nomad Insurance Essential plan.
Summing up
It isn’t mandatory to have travel insurance before coming to Japan, but experts recommend it. Uninsured healthcare in Japan can be expensive, and the healthcare system can be hard to navigate. Also, Japan is prone to earthquakes and typhoons, and no matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. Providers like SafetyWing, offer travel medical insurance starting from around ¥279 per day for a 4-week trip.
Japan travel insurance FAQs
Some other things to consider.
What happens if I get sick as a tourist in Japan?
You’ll probably want to visit one of the English-speaking clinics in Tokyo. If at all possible, first check your travel insurance provider’s policy on where you can go and what paperwork you’ll need to get.
Once you’re there, you’ll be asked for your insurance details, so make sure you have them with you. Then you’ll get to see the doctor and explain what you need. If there is no English-speaking doctor available, refer to our guide to getting the important details across in Japanese.
If it’s a minor problem, they’ll likely send you on your way with a prescription, which you can pick up at a local pharmacy. Keep your insurance handy, as the pharmacy may ask for it as well. If it’s something more serious, the doctor may run some tests or refer you to a larger hospital with specialists.
Is travel insurance required for Japan?
It’s not a strict requirement, but it is strongly recommended.
Will my Japan travel insurance cover me for other destinations?
Some providers will automatically cover you for multiple destinations, others may require you to specify each destination. Be sure to check your policy document carefully or discuss your plans with your provider.
How much is travel insurance to Japan?
The cost of travel insurance for Japan depends on which provider you use for your policy — and which policy you choose. As a rough guide, it can range from ¥1,000 to ¥8,000 for a one-week trip, depending on your age, place of residence, itinerary, and preferences.
If you are under 40, a month-long travel medical insurance policy through SafetyWing will set you back approximately US$56.26. It’s a good idea to compare multiple policies to work out which is the best deal for your visit to Japan.
What’s the best travel insurance in Japan for foreign residents?
If you are a foreign resident of Japan looking for travel insurance for your upcoming trip OUT of Japan, you have access to the insurance providers listed above, as well as local providers. If you have a Japanese credit card, you could start by asking whether any travel insurance is provided through that and go from there.
Does Japan travel insurance cover COVID-19?
It depends on the individual provider. For example, SafetyWing treats COVID the same as any other illness. As long as it’s not contracted before your policy starts, you’ll be covered for any medically necessary treatment. Other policies may have special provisions or optional extras for specific types of COVID coverage.
Are there currently any COVID-19 measures in place for entry to Japan?
At the time of publishing, you do not need to show a negative test result or a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter Japan. However, those showing symptoms of COVID-19 may be required to undergo a COVID-19 test on arrival. For more information on border measures, head to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.
What is not covered by Japan travel insurance?
Again, it depends on your policy, but in some cases, pre-existing health conditions aren’t covered by travel insurance policies. Having said that, often, coverage for pre-existing conditions can be added as an optional extra — it may just affect the total price of your policy. Similarly, while coverage for things like adventure sports is often excluded, in some cases, this can be added as an extra.
Post first published in February 2020. Last updated in February 2024 by Patrick Balfe.
