Japan travel insurance

Travel insurance isn't a legal requirement for visiting Japan, but it's strongly recommended. Japan is one of the world's safest and most visited destinations, but if you get sick or injured the medical costs can be significant. Depending on the policy purchased, travel insurance may help cover eligible medical expenses, subject to the terms, conditions, limits, exclusions and any applicable excess.

RACV Travel Insurance includes $unlimited overseas medical and hospital cover^{^}, along with emergency expenses, luggage cover and 24-hour overseas medical assistance on all plans. RACV members save 15% on all policies.^* 

RACV International Travel Insurance includes a range of benefits designed to help cover common travel risks and unexpected events:

• $Unlimited overseas medical and hospital expenses^{^}  
• Lost or stolen luggage 
• Extra accommodation and food expenses caused by unforeseen events 
• 24-hour emergency medical assistance
• Optional ocean cruise cover.^**

These benefits are available across all 3 levels of RACV International Travel Insurance cover – Basics, Essentials and Comprehensive. However these plans differ in the range of what’s covered, as well as limits for individual benefits.

Essentials and Comprehensive plans add cancellation cover, higher luggage limits, extra travel delay benefits and cover for rental car excess. Comprehensive goes further again, with unlimited emergency expenses^~~, higher sub-limits across most categories and additional benefits like cover for domestic pet care and loss of income from injury.

If you're planning a Japan ski or snowboard trip, the Ski and Winter Sports option can only be added to Comprehensive and Essentials policies.

There's no single price for Japan travel insurance because your premium is calculated based on your specific trip and circumstances. 

Factors that affect the cost of travel insurance include: 

• Trip length: Generally, the longer your trip, the higher the premium. 
• Traveller age: Age is a factor in how premiums are calculated. 
• Level of cover: A comprehensive plan will cost more than a basic plan but will offer higher limits and more protection. 
• Excess: Choosing a lower excess typically increases your premium. 
• Health: If you have a medical condition that isn’t automatically covered, your premium can be affected. 
• Optional extras: Add-ons like cover for cruises or snow sports will affect the final price. 

The best way to find out what you'll pay is to get a quote – it only takes a few minutes. RACV Members save 15% on their premium.^* 

If Japan is a regular destination, an annual policy may be worth considering. RACV's Annual Multi-Trip plan covers an unlimited number of international trips over a 12-month period, which could help you save time. 

Each trip is covered up to a maximum duration of 30, 45 or 60 days (depending on your level of cover), and the same benefits apply across every trip you take during the year. RACV members save 15% too.^* 

For more details on how annual travel insurance works, visit the Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance page.

A few factors are worth considering when choosing travel insurance for Japan: 

• Trip length and value: the more you've pre-paid in airfares, accommodation and tour costs, the more cancellation cover matters. 
• Activities: if you’re skiing or snowboarding, you’ll need a specific snow sports add-on, as these won’t be covered by standard travel insurance. 
• Medical needs: if you have any medical conditions, check what's automatically covered and what may need to be declared. RACV International Travel Insurance automatically covers 38 conditions, subject to specific criteria.^~ 
• How often you travel: frequent visitors to Japan may find an Annual Multi-Trip plan more convenient than single-trip policies.

RACV International Travel Insurance offers 3 levels of cover for single international trips – Comprehensive, Essentials and Basics – along with Annual Multi-Trip for frequent overseas travellers. All RACV International Travel Insurance plans include $unlimited overseas medical and hospital cover^{^}, 24-hour overseas emergency assistance and cover for lost luggage. RACV Members save 15%.^*

Japan has an excellent healthcare system, but as a foreign visitor you're not covered by the national health insurance scheme. This means you'll generally need to pay upfront for any medical treatment you receive. 

Consultation and medicine costs can add up quickly, even for minor issues, while if hospital admission or emergency evacuations is required the bill can run into the tens of thousands. 

Language can also be a barrier, especially in smaller cities and regional areas, making it harder to navigate the healthcare system without support. 

All RACV International Travel Insurance plans include $unlimited medical and hospital cover^{^}, as well as 24-hour overseas emergency assistance. RACV Members save 15% on their premium.^*

Skiing and snowboarding aren't included in standard travel insurance policies, so if you're heading to Niseko, Hakuba or anywhere else on Japan's ski fields, you'll need to add specific winter sports cover to your policy. 

With the RACV Ski and Winter Sports add-on, cover is available for: 

• Overseas medical and hospital expenses following an accident on the slopes. 
• Cancellation if illness or injury prevents you from using pre-paid lift passes, ski hire or tuition. 
• Piste closure if your resort closes due to insufficient snow or bad weather.^##
• Bad weather and avalanche delays if your trip is delayed getting to or from the snow.^##
• Lift pass replacement if your lift pass is lost or stolen. 
• Snow ski equipment hire if your equipment is lost, stolen or damaged. 

The Ski and Winter Sports option can be added to RACV Comprehensive and Essentials Travel Insurance, as well as Annual Multi-Trip plans. RACV members save 15% on every policy.^* 

Japan sits in an active seismic zone and experiences occasional earthquakes and tsunamis, along with seasonal typhoons in the summer. 

With RACV Travel Insurance, cover for the effects of natural disasters depends on the circumstances and timing of your policy purchase:

• Trip cancellation: if a natural disaster forces you to cancel or cut short your trip, cancellation cover may apply on Essentials, Comprehensive and Annual Multi-Trip plans, provided the event wasn't foreseeable at the time you purchased your policy.
• Emergency expenses: if your trip is disrupted by a natural disaster while you're travelling, cover for additional accommodation, meals and transport may be available.
• DFAT travel advisories: if the Australian government issues a 'Do Not Travel' advisory for your destination before you depart, this can affect your ability to claim, depending on when your policy was purchased. 

Street karting has become a popular tourist activity in Japan, particularly the themed go-kart experiences through the streets of Tokyo and Osaka.  

Go-karting is listed as an activity that may be covered under RACV Travel Insurance, provided the activity is: 

• conducted through a commercial operator 
• available to the general public 
• not considered extreme risk 
• undertaken without the need for special skills or a high level of fitness.

Street karting in Japan operates in a legal grey area and some operators run on public roads, which may affect whether these conditions are met. Note that you’ll need a valid International Driving Permit to take part. 

Learn more at How to drive Tokyo streets Mario Kart style.

Travel advisories can change at short notice, so it's important to check the latest information before you depart. For the most up-to-date travel alerts for Japan check: 

• Smartraveller: the Australian government's official travel advisory service, with country-specific safety and entry information. 
• The Japanese Embassy: for visa, entry and local regulation updates. 
• Your airline or transport provider: for any operational disruptions affecting your route. 

It's worth noting that DFAT travel advisories can affect your travel insurance cover. If a 'Do Not Travel' advisory is issued for Japan after you purchase your policy but before you depart, different conditions may apply.