The Guide to Travel Insurance for Japan

If you’re traveling to Japan, travel insurance may be on your mind. If something unexpected occurs before or during your trip, travel coverage can help you recoup some of the associated expenses.

Here’s what you need to know about getting travel insurance for a trip to Japan.

Travel insurance is a popular choice for many travelers, especially those who may have uncertainty about their trip. There's a wide variety of different travel insurance policies, offering protections from lost baggage to emergency medical evacuation.

Here are some of the more common types of travel insurance for trips to Japan:

• Lost luggage insurance.

• Trip cancellation insurance.

• Trip interruption insurance.

• Cancel for Any Reason insurance.

• Rental car insurance.

• Emergency evacuation insurance.

• Health insurance.

• Accidental death insurance.

There are a handful of countries which require visitors to obtain travel insurance for the duration of their trip, but Japan isn’t one of them. However, even though purchasing Japan travel insurance isn’t mandatory, there are a few scenarios that might justify getting coverage.

1. You might participate in high-risk activities

Consider the itinerary you’ve planned for your trip to Japan. Ideally, everything would go off without a hitch, but despite earnest preparation, some activities inherently present safety concerns. For example, you might need emergency rescue if you end up injured while skiing or hiking the formidable Mount Hakusan.

If your plans involve risky excursions or physically demanding activities, having travel insurance could offer a financial safety net for the worst-case scenario.

» Learn more: The best adventure sports travel insurance

2. You might get ill or injured unexpectedly

Getting sick or injured while on vacation, although unfortunate, can happen. Similarly, if you get hurt or ill just before your trip, you might prefer to cancel. Traveling around Japan with a broken leg and crutches, for example, might not be your idea of a dream vacation.

Travel insurance that’s specifically for medical coverage can cover expenses like hospital stays, emergency evacuation or a return to your home country, if needed.

For example, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, getting treated for traumatic pneumothorax (a collapsed lung) and fractured ribs resulting from a bicycle collision can cost $51,000 (7.5 million Japanese yen). This cost includes surgery, a 19-day inpatient stay, physician care and repatriation.

If your U.S. health insurance does cover injury or illness abroad, you’ll need to still pay upfront and then sort out claims processes with your U.S. insurer when you return home. Travelers who don’t pay their medical bills before returning home from Japan might be restricted from re-entering the country in the future.

» Learn more: Does my health insurance cover international travel?

3. You might experience travel-related mishaps

If you’re traveling between May and October, your vacation might be affected by the country’s typhoon season. Trip cancellation coverage and trip interruption insurance can protect you if you experience significant delays or cancellation due to extreme weather.

Similarly, depending on your policy terms, trip cancellation protection might cover you in the event of a public health outbreak if there are tourist travel restrictions. Always check your policy coverage limitations to see what’s covered.

» Learn more: How to get paid for trip delays

4. You might just want flexibility

If you simply had a change of heart and no longer want to move forward with your Japan trip, basic travel insurance likely won’t cover your financial loss.

However, if you purchased travel insurance for Japan and added a Cancel for Any Reason rider, you’d be able to recoup at least some of your money.

» Learn more: Is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

NerdWallet analysis on the cost of travel insurance determined travelers can expect to pay 6%-7% of the price of your trip for coverage.

A one-week trip to Japan for two people can average $1,749 (261,998 yen), not including airfare. Assuming round-trip flights for two cost about $2,000, the total cost of a one-week trip to Japan for two might cost nearly $4,000.

If using a 7% cost add-on for Japan travel insurance, the cost for coverage could be as high as $280.

» Learn more: The best airlines that fly to Japan

Factors that affect Japan travel insurance cost

Like your car and health insurance coverage in the U.S., the cost of getting travel insurance for Japan varies based on your situation. Factors that affect insurance cost, depending on the type of travel insurance, include:

• Number of people. The number of individuals (adults and children) in your travel group who need coverage.

• Age. The age of each person who’s included in the policy. 

• Home country and state. The country and state you’re traveling from. 

• Existing health. For example, whether you or someone on the policy has a pre-existing condition. 

• Trip destination. The place you’re traveling to — in this case, Japan — and type of coverage. For example, if seeking travel health insurance, the cost of medical care in Japan is considered.

• Trip cost. The total cost of your vacation or trip, including flights, accommodations, pre-purchased activities and excursions.

• Trip duration. How many days you’ll be in Japan.

• Policy add-ons. Extra optional insurance policy features, like Cancel For Any Reason, rental car coverage or extreme sports coverage, for example.

There are many places to find various levels of travel insurance for an upcoming trip to Japan.

Travel credit card benefits

Some premium travel credit cards include travel protection perks for cardholders, like trip cancellation, lost baggage protection and trip delay coverage.

This option only covers travel expenses that were purchased using the card providing the benefit and might have coverage limits. Read the fine print of your card’s benefit’s coverage to learn more.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards with travel insurance

Third-party travel insurance providers

You can find and compare travel insurance companies online. Example providers include:

• Travelex.

• Allianz.

• World Nomads.

• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.

When requesting quotes, make sure you’re comparing policies with similar features and coverage levels. It’s also a good idea to compare each insurer’s claims process to understand what you should expect if you need to file a claim.

If your budget can support getting travel insurance for Japan, it might offer greater peace of mind during your visit.

Having some form of travel insurance is particularly important for travelers with a pre-existing medical condition or those who are engaging in high-risk activities.

American Express travel insurance disclosures:

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

• Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

• Disclosure: 

  • Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

  • Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | Amex for more details.

  • Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

• The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

• Disclosure:

  • Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

  • Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | Amex for more details.

  • Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

• Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip.  For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

• Disclosure:

  • Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

  • Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | Amex for more details.

  • Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance

• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

• Disclosure:

  • Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

  • Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | Amex for more details.

  • Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.