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Travel Insurance for Japan

From skiing some of the world’s deepest snow to hiking Mt. Fuji, your Japanese getaway is sure to take you to new heights!

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Japan is a great destination for Canadian travellers to wander around historic temples, hit the ski slopes, relax in steaming onsens and enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine.  

Experience the bustling markets and nightlife in Tokyo and explore the imperial palaces in Kyoto. Ski some of the deepest snow in the world in the Japanese Alps or be amazed at Japan’s famous landmarks like Mount Fuji. 

A trip to Japan is full of amazing adventures, but there’s always some less exciting things that can happen unexpectedly. Our nomads visiting Japan have dealt with everything from lost luggage to earthquakes. Because of those unwelcome situations you can encounter in your travels, you may want to consider getting a quote for travel insurance in Japan

Do I need travel insurance for Japan? 

No matter how rigorous your trip planning, there’s a possibility of unplanned circumstances that are out of your control. If your flight is delayed for a day and you miss out on the bike tour you had planned in Osaka, or if an immediate family member unexpectedly gets sick and you need to stay home to care for them, travel insurance for Japan could help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable expenses. 

If that Sumo wrestling match gets a little rowdy and you’re injured in the crowd, if the airline loses your bag on the way to Sapporo, or if a volcano erupts and causes you to cut your trip short, at that time you may think travel insurance for Japan is a good idea. It will be too late to get travel insurance after something happens, so you’ll want to get a quote and be covered beforehand. 

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

Travel insurance for activities in Japan

Those seeking fresh powder flock to Japan each winter to hit the slopes. Whether you’re headed to Hokkaido, Kyushu, or Honshu, you’ll find there are several great ski resorts in Japan

Even if your adventures take you to the ocean’s floor instead of the mountain’s tops and you’re scuba diving in Japan, you could still be covered. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadians travelling to Japan.

When you get a quote for your travel insurance for Japan, you’ll need to list your planned activities. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time.  If you are participating in an activity that isn’t listed in your policy wording, you can contact us to determine if you will be covered.      

Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Japan

Canada and Japan do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements, and your Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) may only pay a small portion, if any, of your medical expenses in Japan. Because of this, you may want to consider travel insurance for Japan that covers overseas emergency medical costs

If you’re so sick or injured that your medical team thinks it’s best for you to travel back home to Canada for treatment, travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation and repatriation could also help cover the costs to get you there. 

Japanese is not the easiest language for Canadian travellers to master - and if you have a medical emergency, it’s not the time to struggle through language barriers. If you can’t find a doctor that speaks English or French, you can call our 24/7 emergency assistance team and they can help translate so that you can get the care you need. 

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

Travel insurance for cancelled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Japan

Japan is a country of many wonders, but unfortunately there’s also a plethora of natural disasters that can happen there. Japan is in an active seismic zone, so earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, and volcanic eruptions can happen. Depending on where you are and the time of year, typhoons and snowstorms are also situations you may face. 

The benefits still outweigh the risks for thousands of Canadians who visit Japan each year. You don’t have to be fearful, but just be prepared for the situations you may face there that could disrupt your plans. 

A good travel insurance for Japan could reimburse you for unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is cancelled, delayed, or interrupted for a covered reason. For example, if your trip to Okinawa gets cancelled because a typhoon makes your destination residence uninhabitable you could be reimbursed for non-refundable tours and hotel accommodations that you paid for in advance. Just make sure you keep all receipts and documentation in case you need to make a claim.  

Travel insurance for lost or stolen bags in Japan 

A common insurance claim that we get from Canadians traveling to Japan is for lost luggage. If you are left waiting at the airport carousel in Tokyo and your bag never comes, the baggage coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Japan could help you be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until your bag makes its way to you. 

If you and your bag are never reunited, you could be covered for the cost of replacing the bag and belongings in it if the airline isn’t able to remedy the situation. When you get a quote, you’ll be able to review what’s included in travel insurance coverage for lost or stolen bags, as well as information on depreciation and policy limits. 

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

Travel insurance for crime in Japan  

Japan is a pretty safe country, but in busy, touristy areas, petty theft can still happen. If you’re at the crowded Cherry Blossom Festival and are stopping to smell the flowers, you could be distracted and end up becoming a victim of pickpocketing. If something like this happens, make sure you file a police report. You’ll need that if you make a claim

Just make sure you’re also doing your part to try to avoid lost and stolen items. If you overindulge in Sake and leave your expensive jacket in a bar, we won’t be able to cover that.

Is Japan a good place to visit? 

Many Canadians visit Japan and love all of the unique cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and delicious sushi. Direct flights from Canada make it even easier to visit, and the Shinkansen Bullet Trains make it simple to get around much of the country. 

While Japan is welcoming to Canadians, you may find it helpful to review the Canadian government’s safety warnings for Japan to keep updated on potential travel alerts. You may also want to consider looking into travel insurance for Japan.  

To help you further plan, we invite you to check out more of our travel tips for Japan. Most importantly, have a safe trip!

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

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

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
  • Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
  • Travel Documents Theft or Damage
  • Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
  • Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team 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?

Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)

Contact the team

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