Best Travel Insurance for Aussies Visiting Japan in 2025
- The best travel insurance options for Japan
- Is it currently safe to travel to Japan?
- Travel insurance for a Japan visa: Is it required?
- Reasons to get travel insurance for Japan
- Coverage included in travel insurance for Japan
- The cost of travel insurance for Japan
- How to Pay Less for Travel Insurance to Japan
- Will my current insurance cover me in Japan?
- FAQ
Travel insurance for Japan: key takeaways
1. Definition: Travel insurance for Japan covers medical emergencies, hospitalisation, repatriation, cancellations, and loss of valuables while travelling.
2. Key protection: Travel insurance is not mandatory for AU travellers to Japan, but important due to potential high healthcare costs.
3. Healthcare cost: Healthcare in Japan can be expensive; one night in a hospital may cost AU$400–$1,000 for foreign visitors.
4. Price: A one-week travel insurance policy for Japan typically costs AU$35–AU$75, depending on age and coverage.
5. Good to know: Japanese hospitals may require proof of payment or insurance before treatment for foreign tourists, even for emergencies.
Why trust HelloSafe?
HelloSafe is an international expert in travel insurance comparison, helping more than one million travellers each month. After reviewing 41 travel insurance policies available in Australia, our specialists share everything you need to know right here to choose the best travel insurance for your trip to Japan.
The best travel insurance options for Japan
Contract we recommend | Medical reimbursement limit | Our view |
---|---|---|
HelloTravel Premium |
| Ideal for Japan, with comprehensive coverage and flexibility. - high medical ceiling - strong evacuation & repatriation - clear protection for disasters |
Cap Assistance 24/24 |
| Suitable for Australian travellers seeking full support. - 24/7 emergency helpline - good for natural disasters - generous cancellation terms |
Tourist Card |
| Practical contract for short visits to Japan. - strong medical limit - efficient support abroad - useful for city or rural stays |
Travel Pass Monde |
| Good all-round policy for flexible travel. - medical evacuation included - hospitalisation guarantee - broad coverage region |
Globe Partner |
| Efficient coverage for international travel, including Japan. - essential medical services - covers repatriation - liability included |
Globe Traveller |
| Balanced choice for standard trips. - reasonable medical cover - effective for claims - suitable for single or multiple trips |
- A$1.0M
- high medical ceiling
- strong evacuation & repatriation
- clear protection for disasters
- A$1.0M
- 24/7 emergency helpline
- good for natural disasters
- generous cancellation terms
- A$500k
- strong medical limit
- efficient support abroad
- useful for city or rural stays
- A$700k
- medical evacuation included
- hospitalisation guarantee
- broad coverage region
- A$300k
- essential medical services
- covers repatriation
- liability included
- A$500k
- reasonable medical cover
- effective for claims
- suitable for single or multiple trips
Is it currently safe to travel to Japan?
As of June 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) rates Japan as a destination where normal safety precautions should be exercised.
Here are their four main recommendations.
- Security risks: isolated incidents linked to regional tensions, such as North Korean missile tests, may lead to temporary disruption of transport and public notifications. In coastal or urban areas, follow local emergency instructions, especially after earthquakes.
- Health risks: medical care in Japan is of a high standard but is typically expensive for foreign nationals. Importing prescription medication is regulated and some common Australian medicines are prohibited, with fines possible.
- Natural disaster risk: Japan is frequently affected by earthquakes and typhoons, as seen in the Ishikawa Prefecture earthquake in January 2024. Evacuation procedures can be sudden, and access to affected regions may become restricted.
- Legal and administrative constraints: strict entry procedures include fingerprinting and photography on arrival. Penalties exist for non-compliant documentation and bringing in unauthorised medicines or restricted items.
Although not required, travel insurance is strongly recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, particularly to cover medical expenses and emergency repatriation, which can be extremely costly in Japan.
Travel insurance for a Japan visa: Is it required?
No, travel insurance is not mandatory for Australian nationals travelling to Japan for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business.
While it is not required for the visa exemption regime or entry formalities, travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover unexpected medical expenses, natural disasters, and emergency repatriation during your trip. The cost of healthcare in Japan can be high and advance payment may be required at hospitals.
According to our data, 80% of travelers purchase travel insurance before travelling to Japan. This is mainly due to the high cost of medical care, as well as the real risk of natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons.
Reasons to get travel insurance for Japan
It is an essential financial and medical protection for anyone going to Japan.
In Japan, foreigners usually have to pay full costs up front for medical care, even at leading hospitals in Tokyo like St. Luke’s International Hospital. While public hospitals offer modern facilities, English-speaking staff are rare outside big cities. Private clinics in areas such as Osaka or Kyoto can charge high fees and will not accept the Medicare card from Australia. The cost of hospitalisation, surgery or medical evacuation can be significant, with little to no free assistance for foreign visitors.
Travel insurance covers medical fees, hospitalization, medication, ambulance transport and emergency repatriation to Australia in the event of a serious incident.
Here are some examples of healthcare costs in Japan.
Example of medical treatment | Cost at St. Luke’s International Hospital (JPY) | Covered by travel insurance |
---|---|---|
I have to be hospitalized 48 hours after contracting an infection | ¥500,000 (A$5,250) | Up to 100% |
I broke my tibia (X-ray, cast, and crutch rental) | ¥300,000 (A$3,150) | Up to 100% |
I need to be repatriated | ¥2,500,000 (A$26,250) | Up to 100% |
I have appendicitis (consultation and surgery) | ¥1,200,000 (A$12,600) | Up to 100% |
These prices are given as an indication and may vary depending on the facilities and regions.
It is therefore essential to take out appropriate travel insurance to avoid unexpected and potentially high expenses.
Coverage included in travel insurance for Japan
Main coverages | Explanations and recommendations |
---|---|
🏥 Medical expenses | Covers outpatient care, hospitalisation and surgery following an accident or illness in Japan, often excluding pre-existing conditions. We recommend at least A$500,000. |
🛌 Hospitalisation and emergency care | Covers overnight stay and intensive care costs in public or private hospitals. Choose a policy that reimburses at least A$300,000 per incident. |
🚑 Medical evacuation and repatriation | Covers transport to Australia or a third country in the event of serious illness, injury or disaster. Recommend a minimum of A$250,000. |
💊 Medications and outpatient care | Reimburses necessary prescribed medicines and specialist consultations. Plan for at least A$2,000, especially for ongoing treatments. |
🧳 Luggage and personal belongings | Compensation for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and valuables during the trip. Opt for coverage up to A$3,000 minimum per traveller. |
🛫 Trip cancellation and interruption | Reimburses prepaid costs if you must cancel before departure or cut trip short due to insured risks. We recommend coverage up to A$7,000 per person. |
💸 Personal liability | Protection if you accidentally injure someone or damage property. Covers legal fees and damages. Select coverage of at least A$1,000,000. |
🌪️ Natural disaster and nuclear event cover | Reimburses extra expenses from evacuation or trip interruption due to earthquakes, typhoons or nuclear incidents in Japan. Choose a policy that includes these risks. |
We recommend at least A$500,000.
Choose a policy that reimburses at least A$300,000 per incident.
Recommend a minimum of A$250,000.
Plan for at least A$2,000, especially for ongoing treatments.
Opt for coverage up to A$3,000 minimum per traveller.
We recommend coverage up to A$7,000 per person.
Select coverage of at least A$1,000,000.
Choose a policy that includes these risks.
Travel insurance from local providers or bank cards often covers only a small portion of medical or cancellation costs, with strict exclusions and low limits. For your safety and peace of mind, compare the best insurers on HelloSafe and subscribe online for instant proof of coverage.
The cost of travel insurance for Japan
Trip duration | Traveler’s age | Indicative price per person |
---|---|---|
1 week | 25 years old | A$45 – A$65 |
2 weeks | 45 years old | A$70 – A$110 |
1 month | 35 years old | A$115 – A$160 |
1 month | 70 years old | A$220 – A$390 |
These prices are indicative and may vary depending on the coverage chosen and the specifics of each insurer.
Good to know
The price of travel insurance in Australia depends on several factors: the traveller’s age, duration of the stay, destination, level of coverage, and cancellation options. Costs may increase for older travellers, longer trips, or higher-risk destinations. Keeping these factors in mind is essential to select the right cover and avoid unexpected costs.
💡 It is always recommended to compare multiple offers to find the best value-for-money plan for you. You can use HelloSafe.
👉 Compare the best travel insurance for freeI compareHow to Pay Less for Travel Insurance to Japan
Here are some suggestions to optimize the cost of your travel insurance to Japan while keeping good coverage:
Criteria | Why it matters | Expert tip |
---|---|---|
🗓️ Trip duration | The length of your stay strongly influences premium prices, as longer trips involve more risk exposure. | Buy insurance only for the days you are abroad and avoid overestimating your trip length to keep costs down. |
👤 Traveller's age | Older travellers are generally charged higher rates due to increased health risks. | Consider Heymondo if you are over 62, as this insurer does not increase prices for seniors, unlike most others. |
💼 Level of coverage | Higher coverage limits and extra options (like electronics, sports) raise the premium. | Select coverage tailored to your actual needs, for example, skip ski cover if not doing winter sports. |
✈️ Flights and trip type | Multi-destination or complex trips typically result in higher premiums. | Choose single-trip policies for direct itineraries and avoid adding stopovers in locations you won’t visit. |
🏥 Excess amount (deductible) | Increasing your excess lowers your premium but you agree to pay more if a claim arises. | Opt for a higher excess only if you can afford to cover small claims out of pocket in case of an incident. |
👨👩👦👦 Number of travellers | Family or group insurance can be less expensive per person than several individual policies. | Select a family or group plan if travelling with others, as this is often cheaper than multiple single covers. |
💳 Method of purchase | Some credit cards offer included travel insurance under certain conditions. | Check your credit card benefits before buying standalone insurance to avoid unnecessary double coverage. |
Will my current insurance cover me in Japan?
It is completely legitimate to wonder whether your existing coverage—such as credit card insurance or even private health insurance—can protect you during a trip to Japan. Unfortunately, this coverage is often limited or insufficient for overseas travel. Here is a summary table to help you review your current insurance and what it covers.
Type of insurance | Valid in Japan? | What it covers | Why Travel Insurance is better |
---|---|---|---|
Public health insurance (Medicare) | No, never | No coverage for medical treatment or hospitalisation outside Australia. | Travel insurance covers up to AUD 1,000,000+ in medical and evacuation costs. |
Private health insurance (Bupa, Medibank, HCF) | Yes, partly | Some plans refund limited overseas care after return, excludes repatriation and direct payment. | Travel insurance pays hospital bills on the spot plus emergency medevac. |
Classic credit card (ANZ First, Westpac Lite, NAB Classic) | Yes, partly | Medical expenses up to AUD 20,000, no trip cancellation, limited baggage delay/loss cover. | Travel insurance covers AUD 1,000,000+ medical and includes trip cancellation. |
Premium credit card (ANZ Platinum, Westpac Altitude Black, Amex Explorer) | Yes, partly | Medical fees up to AUD 250,000, some trip or luggage cover, strict conditions apply. | Travel insurance can cover unlimited medical, trip disruption, 24/7 support. |
Example
During a ski trip in Hokkaido, Sophie from Sydney tore her ACL. Emergency surgery and hospitalisation cost her over AU$45,000. Her NAB Platinum Visa card only covered AU$2,000 in overseas medical costs, and Medicare doesn’t apply in Japan. Lacking travel insurance, Sophie had to pay most of the bill out of pocket.
Expert advice
Always check your insurance policy’s terms, exclusions, and limits. Essential scenarios—like cancelling due to a relative’s illness or death—are sometimes not covered, so review conditions thoroughly to avoid trouble while overseas. For greater peace of mind, it’s always safer to purchase dedicated travel insurance tailored specifically for your trip.
FAQ
Do I need a visa to travel to Japan?
Australians do not need a visa for tourism or business trips to Japan of up to 90 days. You must hold a valid passport and may be required to show proof of onward travel and funds upon arrival. Ensure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay.
How do I purchase travel insurance for Japan?
To buy travel insurance for Japan, compare available policies using the HelloSafe travel insurance comparison tool for Australia. Review the cover amounts and exclusions, paying particular attention to natural disaster coverage and medical evacuation. Buy your preferred policy online, then receive your insurance certificate by email instantly.
Does travel insurance for Japan cover natural disasters?
Yes, quality travel insurance for Japan typically covers medical costs, evacuation, and trip interruption as a result of natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. Always check that your policy explicitly includes these events, as Japan is prone to frequent seismic and weather incidents.
Can I get travel insurance for Japan if I have pre-existing medical conditions?
Many insurers in Australia provide options for travellers with pre-existing conditions, but you must declare all relevant medical history during your application. Cover may require an extra premium or be subject to exclusions depending on the condition. Read the policy wording carefully and confirm acceptance before purchasing.
When should I buy my travel insurance for Japan?
It is best to purchase travel insurance as soon as you make any bookings for your trip. Early purchase ensures you are covered for cancellations, trip disruptions, or unforeseen events that could occur before departure. Most policies are valid from the day after you buy them unless you select a different start date.
What documents do I need to make a claim on my Japan travel insurance?
You will need to provide receipts, medical reports, and police or airline reports, depending on the nature of the claim. Most insurers accept claims submitted online with scanned or photographed documents. Keep all relevant paperwork during your trip to support your claim process.
Do I need a visa to travel to Japan?
Australians do not need a visa for tourism or business trips to Japan of up to 90 days. You must hold a valid passport and may be required to show proof of onward travel and funds upon arrival. Ensure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay.
How do I purchase travel insurance for Japan?
To buy travel insurance for Japan, compare available policies using the HelloSafe travel insurance comparison tool for Australia. Review the cover amounts and exclusions, paying particular attention to natural disaster coverage and medical evacuation. Buy your preferred policy online, then receive your insurance certificate by email instantly.
Does travel insurance for Japan cover natural disasters?
Yes, quality travel insurance for Japan typically covers medical costs, evacuation, and trip interruption as a result of natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. Always check that your policy explicitly includes these events, as Japan is prone to frequent seismic and weather incidents.
Can I get travel insurance for Japan if I have pre-existing medical conditions?
Many insurers in Australia provide options for travellers with pre-existing conditions, but you must declare all relevant medical history during your application. Cover may require an extra premium or be subject to exclusions depending on the condition. Read the policy wording carefully and confirm acceptance before purchasing.
When should I buy my travel insurance for Japan?
It is best to purchase travel insurance as soon as you make any bookings for your trip. Early purchase ensures you are covered for cancellations, trip disruptions, or unforeseen events that could occur before departure. Most policies are valid from the day after you buy them unless you select a different start date.
What documents do I need to make a claim on my Japan travel insurance?
You will need to provide receipts, medical reports, and police or airline reports, depending on the nature of the claim. Most insurers accept claims submitted online with scanned or photographed documents. Keep all relevant paperwork during your trip to support your claim process.