Japan Travel Insurance

Author: Melissa A.

Published: December 6th, 2024 | Updated: December 6th, 2024
Read time: 5 mins

The number of Canadians travelling to Japan is rising, and there are no signs of slowing down anytime soon. We are eager to cross this destination off our bucket lists. Japan’s unique cultural experiences, rich history, authentic Japanese cuisine, festivals, world-class shopping centers, cherry blossom season, low crime rate, cleanliness and abundance of direct flights are drawing us in. Not to mention the selection of outdoor activities such as skiing and snowboarding in the Alps, climbing Mount Fuji, or relaxing in hot springs. Whichever type of trip you plan to experience, whether cultural, historical, culinary, adventure tourism, etc., you can never be too prepared if something were to go amiss. You cannot predict the unknown, but at least you can plan for it by protecting yourself with travel insurance for your Japan trip.

Do I need travel insurance for Japan?

Travel insurance for Japan trips is not needed for entry, but it’s crucial and strongly encouraged to have. Recommendations as to why you should have travel insurance when travelling to Japan are because you could experience travel disruptions before or during your trip or a sudden medical emergency that you are not financially prepared to pay for. Travel insurance offers financial protection for your trip investment. It can reimburse you for the cost of unexpected events that you don’t anticipate, given that the event is listed in your policy.

Although travel insurance is unnecessary to enter Japan, you must meet specific requirements. You must have a valid Canadian passport and sufficient funds for the duration of your trip, as well as a return or onward ticket if you are a temporary visitor staying for less than 90 days and will not be earning money.

What does Japan travel insurance cover?

Japan travel insurance (travel insurance for Japan) can cover a wide range of unanticipated travel disruptions, both pre-and post-departure, as well as medical emergencies abroad that you may not be able to afford to pay for, especially in an instance of a medical emergency in which you will need to pay upfront and out-of-pocket. Typical coverage benefits found in Japan trip insurance include trip cancellation, interruption, airlines, other carrier and baggage delays, baggage and personal effects loss, all of which pertain to travel disruptions. Also typically found in Japan trip insurance are coverage benefits for emergency medical, emergency evacuation and repatriation, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), and 24/7 travel assistance. Travel insurance plans vary by provider, but you can tailor a plan to your travel needs by incorporating different options and add-on coverages. For example, coverage for pre-existing conditions, COVID-19, high-risk and adventure sports activities, car rental damage, etc.

Do I need travel health insurance for Japan?

Travel health insurance for Japan is recommended, especially when travelling to a foreign country. A Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) offers limited coverage outside Canada. This means that if you were to, for example, get injured in a ski or snowboard accident, become very ill while on your trip, and/or need to be repatriated back home for treatment, you would have to pay for your medical expenses upfront and out of your pocket. International medical expenses can cost tens of thousands to millions of dollars, and your GHIP may cover only a portion of the cost or may not cover anything regarding reimbursing you. Therefore, it’s paramount that you have travel medical insurance for Japan, whether an emergency medical plan or an all-inclusive plan that contains the emergency medical coverage benefit, among other coverage benefits.

How much is travel insurance to Japan?

When planning to go on a holiday to Japan, travel insurance to Japan will cost, on average, 4% to 10% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost. Risk factors that affect a travel insurance premium include the age of the traveller(s), the number of travellers, trip duration and the level of coverage. Additional risk factors such as whether the destination is high-risk or remote, limits, deductible, the options, and add-ons you choose can also increase the cost you will pay for your travel insurance. Before purchasing a policy, look at coverage you may already have through your company benefits plan, travel rewards credit card, or an existing policy because you may only need to buy top-up travel insurance coverage, which is more cost-effective. The simplest way to know what travel insurance for your Japan trip will cost is to visit us online for a quote and compare plans offered by various providers.

What is the best travel insurance for Japan?

Emergency medical insurance is crucial travel insurance to have for Japan or anywhere in Asia. Suppose you experience an unexpected medical emergency while in Japan. In that case, your Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) will not cover your medical expenses upfront and is limited, meaning it may cover a portion or nothing at all. One of the best travel insurance plans for your Japan trip is all-inclusive insurance, which contains emergency medical, emergency evacuation and repatriation coverages and coverages for travel disruptions such as trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss and delay. Tailor a plan to your travel needs by opting for different options and add-on coverages, such as pre-existing conditions, COVID-19, high-risk and adventure sports activities, and more. Ensure you read a plan’s terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions to understand what events you will be covered for.

Do visitors from Japan to Canada need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is not a requirement for visitors coming to Canada from Japan, but it is strongly recommended when visiting, studying or working. Because you, as a visitor, are not a Canadian citizen or resident, you are ineligible to enroll in Canada’s Government Health Insurance Plan. However, travel insurance is mandatory when visiting Canada with a super visa (parent and grandparents visa), working visa or student visa. When you have Visitors to Canada travel insurance coverage, you are protected against exorbitant medical care costs that you otherwise must pay upfront and out-of-pocket if faced with a medical emergency in Canada.