Japan travel insurance is essential for exploring the Japanese archipelago with complete peace of mind and avoiding astronomical medical debt. This comprehensive guide compares the best offers on the market (Heymondo, ACS, Chapka) and helps you find the perfect travel insurance for your budget, whether you plan to ski in Hokkaido or wander through the temples of Kyoto.
Which Japan Travel Insurance Should You Choose?
Our Recommended Insurance for Japan
Here is our selection of the best insurance policies for stress-free travel, based on Japan’s high healthcare costs.
- ✅ Heymondo: Ideal for Japan thanks to its app and high coverage limits (-5% via our link).
- ✅ ACS: The most economical options, perfect for students and Working Holiday visas.
- ✅ Chapka: The benchmark for long stays and winter sports.
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Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for Japan?
A Highly Recommended Precaution
Contrary to common belief, travel insurance is not strictly mandatory for obtaining a tourist visa (for visa-exempt nationalities). However, the Japanese government is seriously considering making it compulsory due to the high volume of unpaid medical bills left by tourists.
Most Foreign Ministries and Embassies deem it essential for three major reasons:
- Exorbitant Medical Costs: The Japanese healthcare system is excellent but private and very expensive for foreigners (you are responsible for 100% of costs).
- The Language Barrier: In an emergency, the language barrier can delay treatment. Insurance providers offer 24/7 assistance to direct you to English-speaking doctors.
- No Domestic Coverage: Your home country’s public health system (like the NHS or Social Security) generally provides zero coverage for tourist medical care in Japan.
Why Insurance is Indispensable: Risks in Japan
Japan is incredibly safe regarding crime, but financial risks related to health and natural disasters are very real.
Medical Expenses: 5-Figure Bills
In Japan, without a resident card, you pay “full price.” Many hospitals require proof of solvency or a payment guarantee before even admitting a foreign patient.
Here are some cost examples in Tokyo or Osaka:
- GP Consultation: $50 to $100.
- Specialist Consultation (ENT, Dentist): $100 to $200.
- Emergency (e.g., appendicitis): $3,000 to $6,000.
- Ski Accident (Hokkaido/Japanese Alps): Mountain rescue + surgery can easily exceed $15,000.
🌋 Earthquakes and Natural Disasters
Japan is a land of typhoons (summer/autumn) and earthquakes. Good travel insurance includes not just medical care, but also 24/7 assistance and early return if a natural disaster interrupts your trip or requires emergency evacuation.
Medical Repatriation: The Cost of Distance
Japan is thousands of miles from home. A medical repatriation (stretcher on a commercial flight or air ambulance) costs between $30,000 and $50,000+. Without insurance, this is a debt you could carry for life.
Trip Cancellation: Protecting a Significant Budget
A trip to Japan is expensive (Flights, JR Pass, Hotels). Cancellation guarantees reimburse you if you can no longer travel (illness, work reasons, family bereavement).
Credit Cards: Beware of Limits
Premium credit cards (Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold, Amex) offer some coverage, but it often shows its limits in Japan:
- Standard Caps: Often limited to around $150,000. This is decent for “minor” hospitalization but risky for major complications requiring heavy repatriation.
- Upfront Payment: Unlike specialized insurers, banks often require you to advance the costs (thousands of dollars) before reimbursing you months later.
- Duration: Usually limited to 90 consecutive days.
How to Choose the Right Insurance for Japan?
✅ Vital Criteria for Japan:
- Direct Payment: The insurer must pay the hospital directly (no cash advance from you).
- High Medical Cap: Aim for a minimum of $300,000 or $500,000.
- Mobile App: To call assistance via Wi-Fi (GSM calls are expensive in Japan).
- Winter Sports Coverage: Essential if you are heading to Niseko or Hakuba.
Our Selection of the Best Insurance for Japan
| Insurance | Japan Highlights | Trustpilot Score | Medical Cap | Price* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heymondo | Free call app, Very high limits | 4.6 / 5 | Up to €500,000 | ~ €45 | Get Quote (-5%) |
| Chapka | Ideal for WHV & Off-piste Skiing | 4.5 / 5 | Up to €200,000 | ~ €48 | View Offer |
| ACS | Low Budget & Students | 4.2 / 5 | Up to €300,000 | From €16 | View Offer |
*Estimated price for 2 weeks in Japan
Heymondo: Technology serving the traveler
In Japan, communication is the #1 challenge. The Heymondo app allows you to call assistance for free via Wi-Fi (handy when you only have a Pocket Wi-Fi).
Why for Japan?
- Coverage cap of €500,000 or more (necessary given the cost of Japanese clinics).
- No upfront payments: Vital when an admission costs €5,000+.
Chapka: For WHV and Skiers
If you are going on a Japan Working Holiday Visa (WHV) or for a ski trip to Hokkaido, Chapka is the reference.
The plus: Their contracts cover snow sports and sports equipment well (depending on the plan), which are often excluded from standard contracts.
Pre-Departure Checklist for Japan
📋 To Check Before Flying
- ☐ Insurance Certificate (Printed in English or Japanese if possible)
- ☐ Visit Japan Web (Immigration/Customs QR codes completed)
- ☐ International Driving Permit (Mandatory to rent a car or Mario Kart!)
- ☐ Cash (Yen): Japan remains a cash-based society, especially in the countryside.
- ☐ Medical Prescriptions: Careful, some drugs (codeine derivatives/stimulants) are strictly prohibited in Japan.
Do you really need travel insurance for Japan?
Japan is the land of service and safety, but the medical system does not give freebies to tourists. Travel insurance for Japan is a minimal investment (less than $3/day) compared to the risk of having to pay $10,000 for an operation out of your own pocket.
💡 Japan Tip: Our -5% discount on Heymondo is automatically applied via our link (no code needed).
🚀 Japan Quote & -5% Discount
Read also: Travel Insurance in Asia
Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Insurance for Japan
How much does insurance for Japan cost?
For a 2-week stay, count on about €45 to €60 for comprehensive coverage with Heymondo or Chapka. This is slightly more expensive than for Southeast Asia due to the high cost of medicine in Japan.
Does my home Social Security work in Japan?
No. Social security agreements generally only concern expatriates and pensions. As a tourist, your domestic public health insurance will not pay anything directly. You would have to advance all costs, and any potential reimbursement would be negligible compared to Japanese prices.
Does insurance cover skiing in Japan?
It depends on the contract. “Credit card” insurance often excludes “off-piste” or mountain search and rescue. Specialized insurers (like Chapka or Heymondo Premium) usually include these activities, but always check for the “Winter Sports” mention.
Can I subscribe after arriving in Tokyo?
Yes, Heymondo and Chapka allow subscription from abroad. However, beware of the waiting period (often 72h) that applies to avoid abuse (subscribing after getting injured).