Whether it's the snow calling, or the cherry blossoms, Japan is a popular destination right now.
It doesn't matter if you're planning a ski trip in the mountains, a city-hopping adventure on the bullet train or a thrill-seeking tour of Japan's many theme parks, one thing that should always be on your packing list is a travel insurance policy.
On this page:
- Do you need travel insurance for Japan?
- Will travel insurance cover skiing in Japan?
- Checklist for your Japan holiday
- What is the cheapest travel insurance for Japan?
- Best value travel insurance policies for Japan
Do you need travel insurance for Japan?
Yes, travel insurance is a must for Australians travelling to Japan. This insurance covers things like medical care and cancellation costs if your trip is interrupted by the unexpected. It's best to buy your insurance at the same time as you book your trip so that you'll be covered if you have to cancel before you leave.
Medical costs in Japan
Medical cover is essential for any trip to Japan. Medical facilities in Japan are of a high standard, but you may need to pay upfront before receiving treatment. The cost of being transferred back to Australia can also be expensive, so look at the PDS before buying a policy to make sure you're covered for medical care and medical repatriation.
Natural disaster cover in Japan
Japan is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. You may remember the earthquake-triggered tsunami that destroyed the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in 2011. All major disaster warnings are published by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The Australian government recommends downloading Japan's public broadcaster NHK's App to your phone to keep abreast of natural disaster and emergency reports. Also check your travel insurance PDS to see if you're covered for medical and cancellation costs for natural disasters.
Civil unrest
Smartraveller warns of regional tensions in Japan, including tension with North Korea, which could worsen with little warning. A travel insurance's PDS will outline what is covered in the case of civil unrest – make sure that you're at least covered for medical and cancellation costs.
Will travel insurance cover skiing in Japan?
Many insurers will cover you for skiing and snowboarding, but most offer this cover as an optional extra that comes with an additional fee and some special conditions.
For example, off-piste (backcountry) skiing or snowboarding is often not covered, and when it is covered, it's usually only if you're still within the resort boundaries or skiing with a guide. Riding a snowmobile tends to be an optional cover – check directly with insurers as some may only cover riding a snowmobile if you're using it as a mode of transport rather than recreationally.
Before getting insurance for a ski holiday, make sure it will cover you for your specific skiing or snowboarding destination, as well as for the activities you intend to do.
Checklist for your Japan holiday
- Use our guide below to buy a travel insurance policy that suits your needs. Check if your passport is still valid, and if not, renew your passport online.
- Keep a printout of your travel insurance details with you at all times while on your trip. It's also a good idea to share your insurance details with family or friends before you leave.
Keep on top of the latest travel advice for Japan.
How much does travel insurance for Japan cost?
On average, a single person will pay about $140 for a 14-day holiday, a couple about $230, and a family of four around $260.
Costs will depend on the length of your trip, how comprehensive your cover is, how old you are, how far in advance you purchase your policy and how much excess you're willing to pay.
We looked at over 1000 quotes for a 14-day trip, which were analysed to give the estimates above.
What is the cheapest travel insurance for Japan?
We analysed over 12,000 quotes for a Japanese holiday, covering a variety of scenarios used to find the cheapest.
Note that the Medical Only policy from Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) provides cover for medical care and medical repatriation only. It doesn't provide cover for things like cancellation costs, lost baggage, or missed connections.
Policies are listed in order of cost from cheapest, on average, to most expensive.
Tick Travel Insurance Basic
- Price score for Japan travel: 100%
- Unlimited medical cover; no cover for cancellation.
Tick Travel Insurance Budget
- Price score for Japan travel: 94%
- Unlimited medical cover, $5000 cancellation limit.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) Medical Only
- Price score for Japan travel: 94%
- Medical cover only.
InsureandGo Bare Essentials
- Price score for Japan travel: 94%
- Unlimited medical cover; no cover for cancellation.
However, there's not much point in buying a travel insurance policy that doesn't cover what you need. To find out which policies also provide good cover, log in or become a CHOICE member.
Best value travel insurance policies for Japan
Below, we reveal the policies that offer the best coverage for the cost. Log in to unlock this members-only content, or join CHOICE to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
