Japan Travel Insurance for Visitors
Whether your trip to Japan involves stopping by Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku or Kyushu, it’s sure to be wonderful. Visitors get to see beautiful sites like the floating gates of the Itsukushima Shrine, Tokyo’s enchanting Asakusa neighborhood and the natural wonders of Hokkaido. But before you start packing, don’t forget about safety precautions, including travel insurance for Japan. Though it’s an extremely safe country, there are still ways to make your trip even more secure.
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Do I Need Travel Insurance for Japan?
No-one is turned away at the border for not having it, but travel insurance for Japan does provide important protections! The northern island of Hokkaido has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world — but if you fall and break a limb, are you prepared to cover the costs of X-rays, doctors’ visits and potentially surgery? Or what if the ingredients in your delicious sushi or crispy “kara-age” (fried chicken) are mistranslated? If you have an allergic reaction, you’ll need to pay for your emergency room visit and follow-up care.
Travel medical insurance will help in the above situations, but it’s not the only kind of useful travel insurance. For example, if an emergency derails your travel plans, trip cancellation coverage offers protection.
Recommended Travel Insurance for Visitors to Japan
Japan has an excellent healthcare system, so you don’t need to worry about the quality of medical treatment there. But paying for health services without insurance can be very expensive. And the entire bill will be your responsibility, even in the case of an accident or emergency.
Travel Medical Plan:
Patriot Travel Insurance
- International travel medical coverage
- Coverage for individuals and dependents
- Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice
For Active Travelers:
World Nomads Travel Insurance
- Coverage for 200+ adventure activities
- Generous benefits for lost and stolen bags and gear
- 24/7 emergency assistance
Related: Health Insurance in Japan for Expats
Medical Preparation for Travel to Japan
The best way to enjoy a trip is to stay healthy throughout the journey. To do that, get recommended vaccines and make sure you can travel with any needed medications. And if you do feel unwell, know where you can get necessary healthcare.
Also Read: Understanding the Japanese Healthcare System – An Overview for Expats
What Vaccinations Do I Need for Travel to Japan?
There are no required vaccinations to go to Japan. However, before traveling there, experts recommend that people be up-to-date on routine vaccinations, such as chickenpox, measles and influenza. Getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B is another consideration, but not a requirement.
If you may be visiting rural areas, rice fields or farms during your trip, think about getting vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis. Mosquitos can pick up this disease from infected animals. If these mosquitos bite you, you might get infected yourself.
Visitors who intend to go camping or spend time in gardens, parks or wooded areas run the risk of tick bites. A vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis offers protection from this disease.
Finally, rabies is present in the country, so consider a rabies vaccine series if you will be traveling to remote areas or spending time outdoors in places with large bat populations. As always, we recommend you talk with your doctor or a local travel clinic before traveling to Japan.
How to Bring Medications to Japan
As of this writing, Japan does not permit any stimulant medications (such as amphetamines) in the country. This is true even if your medication is legal in your home country and you have a prescription for it. For example, Adderall is prohibited.
Japan also bans some over-the-counter medications, including:
- Medications with pseudoephedrine
- Some allergies and sinus medicines (such as Sudafed and Vicks inhalers)
If you’re caught with any banned medication, the punishment can be severe. You could be deported, and may be incarcerated until you leave the country. Instead of taking that risk, visit the website for Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to check restrictions before your trip.
Travelers can bring in some controlled or restricted medications as long as they get permission beforehand. To do this, you have to apply for an importation certificate called a “Yunyu Kakunin-sho.” Contact the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to start this process, or complete an application online. Here are some situations when you’ll need that import certificate:
- Your medication contains narcotics or psychotropics: Though these are controlled substances, an import certificate may let you travel with, for example, a prescribed medicine that contains codeine (a narcotic).
- You need more than a one-month supply of medicine: If you’re on a long trip, you need to get a Yunyu Kakunin-sho before arriving. This is necessary even if your medication is not otherwise restricted.
- You’re traveling with syringes for your medication: An import certificate is not necessary if you have “pre-filled syringes” or a “self-injection kit.” Otherwise, you’ll need to get permission.
Have you checked that your medications are legal in Japan? Great! Even so, it’s always a good idea to travel with a copy of your prescription for any medications you’re taking.
How to Access Medical Care in Japan for Visitors
If you’re experiencing a medical emergency and need care right away, call 119. The ambulance will bring you to a hospital for care. Though you’ll need to pay for any medical treatment, there is no charge for the ambulance ride itself.
Most people don’t have regular primary care physicians or GPs. When they need medical attention, they go to a nearby hospital. If you have a less urgent situation — perhaps you’ve twisted your ankle or you have a cough that won’t go away — you can do the same thing.
If you have travel insurance, your insurer can help direct you to a Japanese hospital that will accept your insurance. Some insurers also arrange for telehealth visits so you don’t need to leave your hotel or “ryokan” (a traditional Japanese inn). And if your Japanese isn’t the greatest, ask your travel insurance provider about translation services.
Your travel medical insurance should cover emergency medical expenses — though remember to get an added extreme sports rider if your trip might include things like snorkeling in Okinawa or snowboarding in Japan’s “Snow Country.” Travel medical evacuation coverage will pay for medically safe transport back to your home country.
Related: Japan’s Healthcare System
Travel Warnings and Alerts for Japan
Japan’s reputation for being a very safe country is well-deserved. But things can still go wrong there, from medical outbreaks to terrorism. These pages will keep you up-to-date on travel alerts during your trip:
- U.S. Department of State page on Japan
- Australian government Smartraveller page on Japan
- Gov.UK Foreign Travel Advice on Japan
- The Canadian government’s travel advisory page for Japan
In addition, Japan is no stranger to natural disasters. Fortunately, the Japan Meteorology Agency provides information (in English) about current conditions:
- Tsunami warnings and advisories
- Information on typhoons (also known as hurricanes or tropical cyclones)
- Information about earthquakes
- Tracking volcanic eruptions
Emergency Contact Information for Japan
Need medical care right away, or have to get in touch with your embassy as soon as possible? Here are the numbers to call.
Emergency Assistance Numbers in Japan
- Call 119 for an ambulance or if you need emergency medical care
- Call 119 to reach the fire department
- Call 110 to contact the police
Embassy Phone Numbers in Japan
U.S. Embassy in Tokyo
Phone: 03-3224-5000
Address: 1-10-5 Akasaka
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420
Canadian Embassy in Tokyo
Phone: 03-5412-6200
Address: 3-38 Akasaka 7-chome
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8503
British Embassy in Tokyo
Phone: 03-5211-1100
Address: Ichiban-cho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8381
French Embassy in Tokyo
Phone: 03-5798-6000
Address: 4-11-44, Minami-Azabu
Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8514
Australian Embassy in Tokyo
Phone: 03-5232-4111
Address: 2-1-14 Mita
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8361
New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo
Phone: 03-3467-2271
20-40 Kamiyama-cho
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0047
5 Tips for Safe Travel in Japan
1. Natural Disasters Are a Possibility
The archipelago of Japanese islands is located in an active seismic zone along four tectonic plates, so earthquakes are a well-known phenomenon there. This has some benefits: because earthquakes are common, buildings are constructed to withstand intense shaking. However, an earthquake’s dangers don’t end once the shaking does. Be aware that aftershocks can cause more tremors. NHK, Japan’s public broadcasting network, has an English-language page with earthquake information.
Tsunamis are another post-earthquake risk. NHK has another page with tsunami warnings that will offer advice and guidance. If you’re close to the shore and unable to find any information, you might take the precaution of moving inland to higher elevation.
2. Don’t Do (Illegal) Drugs
Whatever you included on your trip itinerary, an up-close tour of a Japanese police station or prison probably didn’t make the list. But if the police catch you using any illegal drugs, a list that includes marijuana, you will be arrested. You’ll then spend time behind bars, either to serve a lengthy sentence or because you’ll be detained until you’re deported.
3. Check the Weather
Paying attention to the weather may seem like basic advice, but it’s still important to do so. The country is known for hot, humid summers and the possibility of typhoons from the late spring through the fall. Winter comes with its own risks. Heavy snowfall is common in the north of Honshu and on the northernmost island of Hokkaido. Visit Japan Meteorology Agency for weather advisories, and this page for weather forecasts. Or just check the weather app on your phone. Knowing the weather will make sure you’re dressed appropriately and aware of any potential dangers.
4. Practice Your Japanese
Many people around the world speak some English. But you won’t always be able to find English speakers in Japan. This is particularly true if you decide to visit more rural areas to stop by a shrine or enjoy some hiking. So prepare for your trip by memorizing a few key Japanese phrases. In addition, bring along a phrasebook or a translation app (ideally, your app will work even if you don’t have cellular data or WiFi). If you make an effort to communicate, most people will be happy to meet you halfway.
5. Japan Is Very Safe, But Exercise Caution
Visitors to Japan may feel safer than in their home countries. There is very little street crime there, for example. However, crime does still occur, as it does everywhere else. Drink-spiking, for assault or robbery, is a known risk. And women and girls may be groped on crowded trains. You’re a visitor in a foreign country, so keep an eye on your surroundings and the people around you.
Enjoy Your Travels in Japan
Japan is a safe and polite society. But safety doesn’t mean you can avoid accidents and illnesses. And Japanese politeness doesn’t extend to covering your unexpected medical bills or trip interruption fees. If you want to avoid upending your budget and disrupting a long-awaited trip, sign up for travel insurance.
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