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If Japan’s ancient temples and captivating landscapes are calling you, make sure you get Japanese travel insurance so you’re covered for any mishaps. You should visit this country at least once, but it’s also essential to plan for the unexpected. After all, anything can happen while traveling!
I’ll tell you upfront that travel insurance for Japan isn’t a requirement for entering the country. However, I consider it essential any time you take a trip. Besides, healthcare in Japan is super expensive, so it’s much better to pay for insurance beforehand rather than deal with huge medical bills in an emergency.
We’ve been using Heymondo for years now, and it’s proven to be one of the best travel insurance companies. It offers an excellent coverage-to-price ratio, and it’s one of the few providers that pays your medical expenses upfront, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket and file a reimbursement claim. You can use our Heymondo discount code for 5% off your policy.
Another great option if you’re traveling on a budget is SafetyWing. However, bear in mind that it has a $250 deductible per claim, and in case you need medical assistance, you will need to pay for it from your own pocket and then fill out a claim for reimbursement once you’re back home. I’ll share more about these and other travel health insurances for Japan below so you can find the perfect plan for your trip purpose and budget.
Guide to the best travel insurance for Japan
This article will cover everything you should know about travel health insurance for Japan, including:
- Japanese travel insurance price comparison
- Best travel insurance for Japan
- What does Japanese travel insurance cover?
- Tips for finding the best travel insurance for Japan
Do you need travel insurance for Japan?
No, travel insurance isn’t an entry requirement for Japan, but taking out a policy is always wise. This is especially true in a country like Japan, where medical services come with a steep price tag. While I hope you don’t have to deal with an accident or sickness during your trip, if you do, at least you’ll have the peace of mind of being covered by your Japanese travel insurance.
Do you need travel insurance for Japan?
With travel medical insurance for Japan, you won’t have to worry about the expenses related to an injury or illness. Many policies also include benefits like trip interruption and baggage loss, but I’ll talk about that later.
Japanese travel insurance price comparison
Here is a chart that gives you a better idea of how much travel insurance to Japan costs. As you can see, the price ranges from around $1.50/day to $6/day. Of course, it’s also important to look at the coverage amounts and additional benefits before choosing a company.
For this comparison, I chose the best Japanese travel insurance plans from five top providers. I simulated the costs for a 30-year-old American traveling to Japan for two weeks with a trip cost of $2,500:
Price | $74.10 | $22.54 | $77.00 | $66 | $80.98 |
Deductible | $0 | $250 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Medical Expenses Paid Upfront | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Emergency Medical | $250,000 | $250,000 | $250,000 | $15,000 | $50,000 |
Evacuation & Repatriation | $500,000 | $100,000 | $500,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 |
Trip Cancellation | $3,500 | Not covered | 100% of $2,500* | 100% of $2,500* | 100% of $2,500* |
Trip Interruption | $2,500 | $5,000 | 150% of $2,500* | 100% of $2,500* | 100% of $2,500* |
Baggage Loss | $1,700 | $3,000 | $1,500 | $500 | $750 |
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*Price used for example
This is just an example, but you’ll see that some insurance policies offer more coverage than others. Deciding which benefits you want is essential to choosing the best plan for you. Don’t worry; I’ll help you narrow down the options!
Best travel insurance for Japan
Let’s dive deeper into the best travel insurance for Japan. While we’ve been using Heymondo for years (and absolutely love it), I know everyone has different needs. For example, if you’re on a budget and primarily interested in medical-related protection, SafetyWing is an excellent choice.
Below, I’m sharing the five insurers that stand out in terms of pricing, coverage, and benefits.
- Heymondo, the best travel insurance for Japan
- SafetyWing, a cheap travel insurance for Japan
- IMG Global, a good Japanese travel insurance for seniors
- Travelex, a basic insurance for travel to Japan
- Trawick International, a great medical travel insurance for Japan
1. Heymondo, the best travel insurance for Japan
First, Heymondo is the best Japanese travel insurance for those looking for a high amount of medical coverage. With the Heymondo Top plan, you’ll have $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 for evacuation and repatriation. There are also great trip-related benefits like baggage loss protection, travel disruption, and trip cancellation.
Unlike other insurers, Heymondo pays your medical bills upfront, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket and file a claim for reimbursement. Just use the 24/7 app to contact the customer support team, and they’ll tell you the nearest hospital or clinic to go to. By the time you arrive, they’ll have paid everything for you, so you can focus on getting better. The customer support app is also handy for quick questions or concerns, as you can chat with a doctor without going to a medical center.
Indeed, Heymondo isn’t the cheapest option. Still, it’s competitively priced and offers incredible protection for unforeseen health emergencies, which is crucial for a country like Japan, where medical care is expensive.
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We’ve had to rely on our Heymondo insurance throughout the years, and the company has always taken great care of us. From lost luggage and flooded camera equipment to countless stomach problems, Heymondo has supported us through it all.
Now that we’re traveling full-time, we use their long-stay travel insurance and can confidently recommend it. If you choose this company, take advantage of our Heymondo discount below.
2. SafetyWing, a cheap travel insurance for Japan
SafetyWing is another worthwhile travel insurance for Japan. As I mentioned above, it’s a good choice if you’re more concerned about medical coverage and on a tight budget. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance is one of the best cheap travel insurance plans, although it does come with a $250 deductible.
If you’re a digital nomad or staying in Japan for a while to work, this is a convenient insurance policy since it automatically renews every 28 days until you pick an end date. Also, if you’re traveling with family, keep in mind that SafetyWing allows you to add two kids under age 10 to your policy for free.
It’s true that SafetyWing insurance offers fewer trip-related benefits, but it still comes with a decent amount of trip interruption and baggage loss protection. However, it doesn’t cover trip cancellation. Unlike Heymondo, SafetyWing requires you to pay any medical expenses upfront and file a claim for reimbursement.
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3. IMG Global, a good Japanese travel insurance for seniors
IMG Global is another Japanese travel medical insurance that stands out mainly because of its variety of plans. For example, its GlobeHopper Senior plan is one of the best travel insurances for seniors, covering individuals up to 99 years old.
There are also policies for families, students, and expats, and IMG offers travel insurance for pre-existing conditions. Whether you’re taking a short trip or planning a longer visit to Japan, you can find a plan that meets your needs.
As for the price of this travel insurance to Japan, it depends on the specific policy and your chosen coverage limits. While this kind of customization is nice to have, it can also drastically increase the price. I recommend reading through the conditions and exclusions to know exactly what’s covered and what’s not.
Overall, IMG’s medical-related coverage is quite good. The company can cover up to 100% of your costs if your trip is canceled (up to 150% if it’s interrupted). However, its baggage protection isn’t as high as that of other companies like Heymondo, and IMG doesn’t pay your medical bills upfront, so you’ll have to file a claim to get reimbursed for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
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4. Travelex, a basic insurance for travel to Japan
Travelex is another option and a good overall travel insurance for Japan, thanks to its travel and medical-related coverage. It only has two plans to choose from, so you don’t have to stress out about finding the perfect one. However, the policies aren’t as customizable as those with other providers.
The Travel Basic plan includes $15,000 for emergency medical services and $100,000 for repatriation. While the Basic plan is on the cheaper end, it offers a lower amount of coverage. The Travel Select plan costs around $30 more but bumps your coverage to $50,000 and $500,000 for emergency medical and repatriation, respectively. Still, I don’t think this is enough for Japan.
The Select plan can also cover pre-existing conditions with a 60-day look-back period. Moreover, this plan is one of the best travel insurances for families, allowing you to add children aged 1-17 at no additional premium.
However, when you compare Travelex to other insurers like Heymondo, it’s clear that the latter provides excellent protection and coverage limits for around the same price. I would favor Heymondo over Travelex, especially if you’re looking for the best travel insurance for Japan.
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5. Trawick International, a great medical travel insurance for Japan
Lastly, Trawick International is another travel health insurance for Japan worth considering. It offers a variety of plans with travel benefits like emergency medical expenses coverage, evacuation and repatriation, and trip interruption protection.
That said, Trawick has limited baggage loss coverage and is better known as a medical-only travel insurance. If you’re a senior traveler or want coverage during your trip for a pre-existing condition, this could be a great option since some plans offer this benefit. Some add-ons, such as rental car coverage and Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR), are also available.
While the trip cancellation and interruption benefits are good, the amount of emergency medical coverage is relatively low. The plan we looked at provides similar coverage to Heymondo but at a higher price. Also, Trawick International doesn’t pay your medical expenses upfront, so you’ll have to pay out of pocket and then file a claim for reimbursement.
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What does Japanese travel insurance cover?
Remember, you should look at more than just the price when purchasing health insurance for traveling to Japan. The types of coverage below are must-haves for any policy:
Emergency medical expenses
Emergency medical coverage is the amount your insurer will pay for any doctor’s visits, tests, treatments, and hospitalizations you need if you get sick or hurt. You want this amount to be as high as possible, especially when looking for Japanese travel insurance.
Important! Read through the conditions and exclusions, so you know exactly which illnesses and incidents are included.
Repatriation & early return
Repatriation will cover the transportation costs involved in sending you back to your home country due to serious illness, injury, or death. This type of coverage is usually included in Japanese travel health insurance, but it’s always a good idea to double-check.
Along the same lines, early return coverage pertains to situations where you must go home early due to an unforeseen event.
Baggage loss, delay & theft
Luggage issues are all too common while traveling, so this type of coverage is a no-brainer. It’s especially important in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, where pickpockets like to target tourists. Of course, there can also be problems with the airline losing your bags.
What does Japanese travel insurance cover?
Make sure your travel insurance to Japan includes this benefit so you can replace your clothes and toiletries without paying out of pocket. If you’re bringing a laptop or camera gear, check if your policy covers electronic equipment (some companies offer it as an add-on).
Trip interruption & cancellation
Trip interruption coverage amounts vary depending on the provider, but it’s another essential component of the best Japanese travel insurance. If something unexpected interrupts your trip, this benefit will cover the incurring costs for accommodation and meals.
Trip cancellation is not always included in travel insurance for Japan, but it’s well worth adding as an extra. You can learn more about this benefit in our guide to the best trip cancellation insurance. Remember, this isn’t the same as Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, but I’d look into it if you want the option of canceling your trip and recouping the costs.
Other coverage
Adventure sports protection is another type of coverage you can add to your Japanese travel insurance policy. Activities like scuba diving, whitewater rafting, and bungee jumping fall under this category. Even hiking at high altitudes is considered risky, so I recommend adding this coverage if you plan on participating in extreme sports and activities.
Finally, natural disasters like tsunamis, typhoons, and earthquakes aren’t uncommon in a country like Japan. Including this type of protection in your policy is a good idea.
Tips for finding the best travel insurance for Japan
Now that you know the best Japanese travel insurance companies and what your plan should cover, here are some final tips:
- Look for the best coverage: Rather than focusing on the price of the policy, look at the amount of medical coverage it includes. It’s better to pay a little more for the best coverage. For example, Heymondo isn’t the cheapest option, but it has excellent protection benefits.
- Choose a company that pays your bills upfront: When you get hurt or sick while abroad, you don’t want to think about the medical bills; you just want to get treatment. The best Japanese travel insurance will pay your healthcare expenses upfront so you can focus on recovering. This is another reason why we love Heymondo. Other companies make you pay out of pocket and file lots of paperwork so you can get reimbursed, and in a country like Japan, the prices can be steep.
- Consider the onboarding process and policy contract: An insurer’s website and onboarding process can tell you a lot. Getting a quote should be fast and straightforward. Also, make sure you can read through all the terms and conditions before buying.
- Pay attention to the company’s customer service: This is an integral part of having travel insurance for Japan. No matter the time, you want to be able to contact customer service and get assistance in your language. Heymondo has a convenient 24/7 app to chat with a doctor and access your insurance documents.
If you’re still wondering if travel insurance is worth it for a trip to Japan, my answer is a resounding yes! While Japan is a safe country, it’s impossible to predict the future, so it’s better to be covered for unforeseen injuries, illnesses, and events.
Tips for finding the best travel insurance for Japan
Moreover, if you’re visiting big cities like Tokyo, you risk dealing with pickpockets and thieves. Japan is also known for being a site of natural disasters, particularly strong storms and tsunamis. Having a policy with natural disaster coverage and early return benefits is essential.
Heymondo covers all these things and more, so if you choose this Japanese travel insurance, don’t forget to get 5% off with our Heymondo discount code.
FAQs – Travel insurance in Japan
To finish up, here are some common questions and answers about choosing the best travel insurance for Japan:
Do I need insurance to travel to Japan?
No, you don’t need Japanese travel insurance to visit the country. However, I highly recommend it, especially since healthcare in Japan is so expensive.
What is the best travel insurance for Japan?
Heymondo is the best travel health insurance for Japan because it pays your medical bills upfront. Other excellent options include SafetyWing, IMG Global, Travelex, and Trawick International.
How much is travel insurance for Japan?
Travel insurance for Japan ranges from around $1.50/day to $6/day.
What does Japanese travel insurance cover?
The best travel insurance to Japan should cover emergency medical expenses, repatriation, baggage loss, and trip cancellation.
What’s not covered by travel insurance in Japan?
Most policies don’t include adventure sports or Cancel For Any Reason coverage, but you may be able to add these benefits for an extra fee.
That concludes our guide to the best travel insurance for Japan! I hope this article helps you pick the perfect plan for your needs so you can enjoy your trip in total confidence. If you have any questions or want to share your experience with one of these Japanese travel insurance companies, please leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
Stay safe, and have a great time in Japan!
