Health Insurance for Short Stays in Japan: Temporary and Flexible Options
Insurance is not mandatory for short-term visitors to Japan, but travel medical, short-term, or international health insurance is still highly recommended to protect both health and budget. After three months, even temporary visitors can—and must—register for Japan’s public healthcare.
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Are you preparing for a short-term stay in Japan? Whether you’re preparing for a relaxing getaway or a temporary work posting, nailing down your insurance coverage is an essential step to helping you stay protected while abroad in Japan.
This guide will simplify the process of finding the right insurance for your jaunt in Japan, explaining your insurance options, comparing coverage, outlining several top-notch plans, and more. Once you’ve finished, you’ll be ready to get your own quotes and secure your personalized plan.
Health Insurance Options for Tourists and Short-Term Visitors in Japan
Short-term visitors in Japan can get health insurance coverage through travel medical insurance, short-term health insurance, or international health insurance. Short-term visitors in Japan who extend their stay to three months or longer are required to enroll in Japan’s public health insurance.
For a deeper dive into all the health insurance options available to those heading to Japan, check out our article Health Insurance in Japan for Foreigners: Coverage, Costs & How to Enroll.
Travel Medical Insurance for Japan
Travel medical insurance is a popular choice for vacationers in Japan because it can cover emergency medical treatment plus travel-related risks. Tourists can customize the length and extent of coverage, with flexible options for both the budget-minded and the cautious traveler.
Some of the common benefits included in travel medical insurance include coverage for:
- Trip cancellation and delay
- Emergency medical expenses
- Liability insurance
- Inpatient medical treatment
- Medical evacuation
- Lost luggage and personal belongings
- Lost travel documents
- Rental care insurance
Travel insurance plans are custom-built to the length of your vacation, your itinerary, and your desired level of coverage, so prices can range drastically, especially if you add in medical benefits. To find the cost of covering your trip, use our free quote tool.
Short-Term Health Insurance for Japan
Short-term health insurance plans cater to travelers like digital nomads, global working professionals, and tourists who want more extensive medical coverage. Unlike travel insurance, short-term health insurance does not cover travel-related risks, but the medical coverage is generally more robust.
Short-term health insurance can typically be purchased for as short as one month but up to a year. Short-term health insurance plans offer specific medical benefits like:
- Hospitalization coverage
- Outpatient treatment
- Ambulance transportation
- Medical evacuation
- Prescribed medication
- Repatriation of remains
International Health Insurance for Japan
International health insurance is an attractive choice for expats visiting Japan, for those who travel frequently, or for tourists who want the best medical care coverage while they’re abroad. International plans offer benefits like direct billing, global portability, and comprehensive coverage.
Listed below are some of the advantages of securing international health insurance:
- Comprehensive Coverage: International health insurance can cover services that are excluded from travel insurance, short-term insurance, and even Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI), such as alternative treatments, advanced dental care, and higher-end hospital accommodations.
- Access to English-Speaking Healthcare Providers: Because international health insurance plans cater to individuals, like expatriates, who are living away from their home countries, they often include coverage for English-speaking doctors and hospitals or translation services.
- Higher Reimbursement Rates: The NHI typically covers 70% of healthcare costs, but international health insurance can reimburse a larger portion or even cover 100% of eligible expenses to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
- Choice of Healthcare Providers: International health insurance plans give policyholders a wider choice of hospitals and clinics, including private facilities, and offer access to specialized care with shorter wait times.
- Global Portability: International insurance policies broaden the area of coverage with worldwide portability. These plans also offer options for large regional coverage or exclusions of certain countries to buffer the cost.
- Faster Access to Care: Many plans make it easy to get reduced wait times for appointments and procedures, helping policyholders access care more promptly.
- Customized Benefits: Expats and travelers can tailor their insurance plans to meet specific needs, such as including maternity coverage, mental health support, or wellness benefits, which might be limited under NHI and other more temporary plans.
- Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions: Most temporary insurance plans do not cover any treatment for pre-existing conditions. International plans generally offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, even if they require a waiting period, an add-on rider, or a raised premium.
Does Japan Have Health Insurance Requirements for Tourists?
Japan does not require tourists entering the country for three months or less to have health insurance or travel insurance. Those who will stay in the country beyond three months, however, are required to enroll in Japan’s public healthcare scheme within 14 days of arrival.
Japanese Public Health Insurance for Vacationers
Travelers staying in Japan for over 90 days are legally mandated to enroll in a public health insurance scheme: opting out is not an option. Japan’s healthcare schemes are the National Health Insurance (NHI) and the Social Health Insurance/Employees’ Health Insurance (SHI).
Here is a simple overview of these health insurance schemes:
- National Health Insurance (NHI): Japan’s NHI plans were created for residents who are unemployed, self-employed, students, or who work less than 30 hours a week. NHI premiums are based on income.
- Social Health Insurance/Employees’ Health Insurance (SHI): The SHI plan covers those who are employed in Japan, including foreign workers. SHI is paid for by contributions from Japanese employers and their employees and includes the same benefits as NHI.
Some of the main benefits included under Japan’s public healthcare schemes include:
- Hospital care
- Outpatient care
- Mental health care
- Prescription drugs
- Home health care
- Dental care
Japanese public health insurance provides comprehensive coverage and access to high-quality facilities. Copayments are the same across all plans and are based on age: most will pay a 30% copay, while children under three have a 20% copay, and those over 70 with low incomes have a 10% copay.
Why You Should Still Purchase Health Insurance for Short Stays in Japan
Health insurance coverage protects against illness, medical emergencies, and hospital costs. Japan has a good healthcare system, but medical care is costly. Vacationers without the right health insurance must pay out of pocket for all medical care received in the country.
Illness Coverage as a Tourist in Japan
Health insurance can help cover the cost of medical treatments for common illnesses tourists get in Japan, whether they contract foodborne illness like norovirus, influenza, dengue, or respiratory tract infections.
Medical Injuries as a Tourist in Japan
Medical emergencies can happen anywhere, and domestic health insurance typically will not cover the cost of receiving care for these medical emergencies in Japan. Especially because many travelers enjoy outdoor activities while in Japan, coverage for potential injury is wise.
Hospital Costs as a Tourist in Japan
Tourists who do not have health insurance may pay anywhere from ¥20,000 to ¥50,000 (about USD $128–$320) for a first-time outpatient visit or emergency room visit at a hospital in Japan.
Costs vary drastically depending on the treatment needed and whether it’s a public or private hospital or clinic.
| Approximate Hospital Costs in Japan without Insurance | |
| Visit Type | Cost (JPY/USD) |
| First outpatient visit | ¥20,000–¥50,000 (about USD $128–$320) |
| First hospital consultation | ¥10,000–¥30,000 (about USD $64–$192) |
| Emergency room visit | ¥20,000–¥50,000 (about USD $128–$320) |
| Deposit for emergency hospitalization | ¥300,000 (about USD $1,923) |
Vacationers heading to Japan should also note that it’s common to be charged a first-time visit to the hospital, which is often an additional ¥10,000 (about USD $64). The more procedures or tests required will also greatly increase the cost.
Top Three Health Insurance Providers for Tourists in Japan
IMG Global, Allianz, and AXA offer the best travel, short-term, and international insurance plans for tourists heading to Japan. These providers offer bespoke, comprehensive benefits so you can find plans that fit your budget, health, and travel needs.
Once you’ve read through our suggestions, check out our article for more information on the best travel insurance in Japan for travelers.
IMG Global for Tourists in Japan
IMG Global has been providing private insurance solutions to individuals, families, and companies around the globe since 1990. They offer excellent options for any length of stay or type of trip to Japan.
Travel Insurance for Japan from IMG
IMG offers top-notch travel insurance through their Patriot Travel and iTravellinsured plans, which boast customizable and comprehensive benefits for visitors in Japan. As an international health insurance provider, IMG knows how to cater to the needs of travelers and expats around the globe.
Benefits included in IMG Global plans include:
- Generous annual limits
- Medical evacuation coverage
- Inpatient and outpatient coverage
- Dental coverage
- Telehealth options
- Cancel for Any Reason riders
Short-Term Insurance for Japan from IMG
For those who want more extensive medical coverage, consider IMG’s GlobeHopper plans, which come in three tiers: GlobeHopper, GlobeHopper Platinum, and GlobeHopper MultiTrip.
International Insurance for Japan from IMG
IMG’s Global Medical Plan is available in four tiers of coverage: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Lifetime limits vary across these plans, with the maximum limit going up to USD $8,000,000.
Allianz for Tourists in Japan
Allianz has provided international health insurance for expats as well as temporary insurance solutions for vacationers in Japan and over 75 other countries, tallying up over 72 million cases served in over 58 languages.
Travel Insurance for Japan from Allianz
Allianz offers a variety of travel insurance plans, whether you need multi-trip or single-trip coverage for your time in Japan. Allianz’s travel insurance can include both medical coverage and travel-related risk coverage to meet the needs of all types of vacationers.
Some benefits provided by Allianz are:
- Medical and emergency coverage
- Reimbursement for flight delays
- Replacement for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage
- Multilingual 24/7 customer service support
- Coverage for non-refundable costs if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to unforeseen events
Short-Term Insurance for Japan from Allianz
Those looking for short-term health insurance may prefer Allianz Care’s Flexicare plan, which can be purchased in three-, six-, or nine-month plans. Allianz Flexicare plans cover a variety of medical costs, such as:
- Hospital visits
- Surgeries
- Prescription drugs
- Medical evacuations
- Diagnostic tests
- Cancer treatments
- Doctor visits
International Insurance for Japan from Allianz
For international plans, pick from Allianz’s Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans:
- Care Plan: Covers a semi-private hospital room, oncology, medical evacuation, nursing at home, rehabilitation, emergency outpatient care, and more.
- Care Plus Plan: Covers all the same benefits as the Care plan, a private hospital room, and additional emergency dental care.
- Care Pro Plan: Covers increased benefit limits from the Care Plus plan and adds coverage for preventative surgery and laser eye treatment.
AXA for Tourists in Japan
AXA is a well-respected global insurance provider. They can boast of reimbursing over 80% of claims within 48 hours, and they provide day or night virtual consultations with a doctor anywhere in the world.
Travel Insurance for Japan from AXA
AXA offers three travel insurance plans for vacationers in Japan: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each of these plans offers different levels of coverage, with the Silver plan offering basic coverage at a lower cost and the Platinum plan featuring the most extensive coverage.
AXA travel insurance plans included the following benefits:
- Medical coverage
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- Coverage for lost or delayed baggage
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason rider with the Platinum plan
Short-Term Insurance for Japan from AXA
AXA’s short-term health insurance offerings include their Foundation and Standard plans, which can cover visitors in Japan for three to 11 months.
Some of the common benefits included with the Foundation and Standard plans are:
- Coverage for hospital charges and surgery
- Coverage for emergency services
- Coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation
- Coverage for cancer treatment
- Coverage for CT, PET, and MRI scans
- Coverage for virtual doctor services
- Optional coverage for outpatient treatments and tests
International Insurance for Japan from AXA
AXA’s five international plans (Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus) come with tiered coverage. Each of these plans includes a second medical opinion service, evacuation and repatriation, virtual doctor service anywhere in the world, and more.
Travel Tips for Vacationers in Japan
Japan is considered a safe place to travel, but vacationers should make sure they are up to date on their required vaccines and follow the guidelines below for the best experience possible in the Land of the Rising Sun.
- Stay Up to Date with Vaccines: Get fully vaccinated against common diseases such as measles, hepatitis A and B, rabies, and Japanese encephalitis before your vacation.
- Use Food and Water Safety: Avoid tap water in rural areas and be cautious with street food. Japan has high food safety standards, but you should still stick to reputable restaurants and ensure food is fully cooked.
- Prevent Bug Bites: Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin to protect against mosquito bites, especially during the warmer months, when it’s peak mosquito season.
- Prepare for Emergencies: Familiarize yourself with local emergency numbers (e.g., 110 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance). Keep a list of local hospitals and clinics handy in case of medical emergencies.
- Make a Plan for Natural Disasters: Stay informed about safety protocols and evacuation routes for common natural disasters in Japan, like earthquakes and typhoons. Consider carrying a small emergency kit as well.
- Purchase Health Insurance: Ensure you have health insurance that covers your medical and travel needs while in Japan: don’t just choose the cheapest plan available. Assess your health history and your needs for travel peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tourist get healthcare in Japan?
Tourists can access healthcare in Japan by visiting any clinic or hospital in Japan. Tourists must pay for all expenses out of pocket unless they have sufficient private insurance coverage through travel medical insurance, short-term health insurance, or international health insurance.
Is healthcare free for tourists in Japan?
Healthcare is not free for tourists in Japan. Tourists in Japan must pay for all medical care they receive at clinics or hospitals, but they can buffer those costs with health insurance.
What is the best travel insurance plan for Japan?
AXA, Allianz, and IMG Global offer some of the best travel insurance for Japan. Before selecting a plan, evaluate the length of your trip, your budget, and whether you want to prioritize medical benefits, coverage for travel-related risks, or both.
Conclusion
Tourists in Japan are not required to purchase travel insurance or health insurance plans for short stays, but they are required to enroll in public health insurance if staying for over 90 days. Travel and health insurance are highly recommended for all trips to Japan.
If you’re ready to find health insurance that meets your needs for your trip, contact the insurance experts at Pacific Prime. We have over 25 years of experience providing insurance to global travelers, and we partner with a diverse range of top international health insurance providers worldwide.
For more helpful guides to get you ready for your time in Japan, check out our articles below:
- Student Health Insurance in Japan: A Guide for Foreign Students
- Emergency Medical Coverage in Japan: What it Covers
- Cost of Living in Japan: Essential Guide for Expats
- 12 Best Places To Live In Japan For Expats
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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