Photo © Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty

Travel Insurance for a trip to Japan

Japan offers amazing food, culture, onsens, temples and more. Make sure you're covered for emergency medical expenses, baggage and more.

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If adventure’s your middle name, then Japan is the place for your next adventure. Whether it’s cycling 70km around the Shimanami Kaido, hiking Mount Fiji, or you’re planning a winter vacation snowboarding the famous powder-snow of Rusutsu.

SRua Garrett at night
Sunset over Tokyo. Photo credit: Getty Images / Matteo Colombo

But as you know, with adventure comes risk, and while we’d hate to see any explorer’s fun end in pain, we know it happens. World Nomads travel insurance could be useful to consider before departing on your Japanese holiday.

What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?

We all know sometimes things don’t play out the way we plan. Sometimes a scuba diving trip or a weekend hike can cause injuries you’d rather avoid. With World Nomads travel insurance, you could be covered for your hospital stay, should your dive or trekking adventure be cancelled, you get ill, or you end up in hospital due to an accident.

Here are some of the highlights of our coverage, depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected:

  • Your entire family (our cover includes two adults and up to eight dependents on one policy)
  • Trip interruption and trip cancellation
  • Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage
  • Overseas emergency medical expenses
  • Medical evacuation and repatriation back to your home country
  • Cover for some Coronavirus-related events
  • 24/7 access to our dedicated Emergency Assistance Team
  • Cover for more than 150 adventure activities and sports while in Japan

Note: Always refer to your Policy Wording for further details on various limits, benefits, available upgrades, and our terms and conditions before you buy a policy.

busy crossing on Japan
Busy crossing in Japan. Photo credit: Unsplash / Jason Ortego

Why should I consider travel insurance when going to Japan?

Osaka, also known as the "Kitchen of Japan" is famous for its street food – some of its most popular dishes being okonomiyaki (a savoury pancake), and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers). But what happens if you pick a vendor with less-than-par seafood for sale? Food poisoning in a foreign country isn’t much fun, but it may be less stressful if you have travel insurance – especially if you require hospitalisation.

Although Japan’s regarded as a relatively safe country, we all know that opportunists are everywhere, which is why it’s important to always keep your valuables safe and visible. If however, you do find yourself victim to pickpocketing while bargain shopping in the bustling markets of Ameya-Yokochō, our Standard and Explorer plans offer theft protection (up to policy limits).

What are the benefits of World Nomads travel insurance when in Japan?

Purchasing travel insurance can be confusing.We get it. We’ve made understanding and choosing travel insurance simple and stress free, by offering two insurance policies, each with differing levels of coverage. This way, you can choose a policy that offers a level of coverage depending on your own individual needs.

Our Standard Plan includes a range of benefits such as overseas medical, coverage for your belongings, pre-trip cancellation and certain adventure activities. Our Explorer Plan has all the benefits of a Standard Plan and a few extra, but it is more expensive.

Trip interruption and trip cancellation

No one plans an overseas trip with the intention of canceling it, but fact is, even the most well planned itineraries can need amending at times. With World Nomads travel insurance, both our plans can cover you for 14 specific insured events that can derail, interrupt, or even cancel your trip. Check your Policy Wording for details on insured events and coverage limits.

Delayed, lost, or stolen baggage

Japan’s home to the Shibuya Scramble aka one of the world's wildest pedestrian crosswalks where literally thousands of people cross the road at the same time. That said, it’s easy to see why things can go amiss in all the hustle and bustle.

World Nomads may cover (up to the policy limits) the loss, theft or damage to your baggage, sporting equipment or personal belongings if you’re the victim of theft while in Japan, or if your bags are lost in the big city chaos. Our Standard Plan can cover up to $2,000 and our Explorer Plan can cover up to $10,000.

Overseas emergency medical expenses and cover for COVID-19 related events

Japan’s healthcare system is usually regarded as amongst the best in the world. That said, to receive medical treatment in Japan, you typically need to show proof of insurance.

If you’re planning to visit Japan, we recommend you research your travel insurance options. World Nomads two plans both offer coverage for overseas medical expenses, emergency dental, medical transport, and if necessary, repatriation costs and much more. You can get a quote 24/7 while travelling and tailor your policy according to your specific needs.

Tsutenkaku is a tower and well-known landmark of Osaka, in the Shinsekai district of Naniwa-ku. Photo credit: Getty / fotoVoyager

What’s not covered?

Understanding what’s not covered is just as important as knowing what your insurance does cover you for. Things that won’t be covered by travel insurance include, but are not limited to:

  • Medical evacuation or repatriation for any incidents related to drug and alcohol abuse, or that is not pre-authorized by a physician
  • Trip cancellation for events that occurred before your policy was purchased (natural disaster, strike, etc.)
  • Any pre-existing medical conditions, unless otherwise stated in your policy.
  • Any medical treatment, medication, or hospitalization for a non-urgent condition. Examples could include cosmetic surgery, general check-ups, or other elective surgeries.
  • Traveling to or staying in a country that the US government or the government in your country of residence has declared an official ‘Do Not Travel’ travel ban on or warned against non-essential travel.
  • Not having visas or passports issued on time or not properly fulfilling the entry requirements of your destination.
  • Leaving your gear behind, or not keeping an eye on your things and they get stolen.

Have you already started your journey around Japan and realised you should have packed a travel insurance policy in that duffle bag? We can help. With World Nomads, you can purchase your travel insurance while travelling.

This is not a full list of what’s covered and what’s not; please check your Policy Wording for a full list of terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions that may apply to your specific plan. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

Did you know travel insurance covers...

  • Trip cancellation
  • Emergency medical
  • Evacuation and repatriation
  • Lost or damaged gear
  • Delayed baggage
  • Death overseas
  • Terrorism
  • And more...

You can also buy away from home or buy more cover if you extend your trip. Plus, you can claim online anytime, anywhere in the world.

Traveler tip 1: Japan is prone to earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters, so it's important to stay informed and prepared in case of an emergency – which is why we provide up-to-date travel alerts to all our policyholders.

Traveler tip 2: if you’re in the unfortunate position of having to cancel or postpone your trip, it’s important you get on the front foot quickly. You’ll need to prove the circumstances requiring your trip cancellation. Also, it’s your responsibility to research all your cancellations options, and minimise your costs wherever possible. Also, keep your paperwork – everything. You’ll all bookings receipts, cancellation documents etc. for smooth claiming. If you’re feeling unsure about any of the process or requirements at any point in time, contact our Worldwide 24 hour Emergency Assistance team. We’re here for you every step of the way.

Traveler tip 3: planning a summer holiday in Japan? Grab a snorkel and check out the Okinowa shipwrecks in October – majority of the crowds (and typhoons) have gone for the season, and the water’s still warm. World Nomads offers adventure travel insurance for more than 150 adventure activities, across two levels of coverage – you can learn more about them here.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $10,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Overseas Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling overseas.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited, up to 12 months
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

We'll get you to hospital quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $500,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $3,500
  • Standard Plan: USD $2,500
Protect your gear
  • Passport stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • 24 hour Emergency Assistance
  • Emergency Medical Transport
  • Repatriation & Travel Expenses
  • Pre-Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Resumption of Trip
  • Travel Delay
  • Missed connection (Explorer)
  • Hijacking (Explorer)
  • Baggage & Personal Items
  • Passport & Travel Documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
  • Personal accident (Explorer)
*This is a general summary for all residents except from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Brazil, China and Philippines. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Phone:+353 21 237 8008 or +353 21 237 8003 (calls are not toll free. You can claim your itemised call costs)

Contact the team

Get an instant travel insurance quote

Simple and flexible travel insurance designed by travelers, for travelers. See why over 3 million travelers have chosen World Nomads for more than 20 years.