Japan visa requirements and health insurance

January 03, 2019

Abundant in culture, tradition, ancient history, delicious cuisine and scientific sophistication, Japan elegantly combines the nostalgia of the old with the excitement of the new in its awe-inspiring landscape. There is a myriad of things to do and enjoy in Japan, from taking a canoe ride with an impressive mountain range view or crafting your own sushi ensemble to exploring Japan’s kaleidoscopic cityscapes. There’s a lot to get excited about when organizing your visit. To fully enjoy your trip, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy, so you can relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.
 
Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:

Visa Information for Japan

Do I Need to Get a Visa to Visit Japan?    

No

If you are an American Citizen with a valid US passport visiting Ireland for no more than 90 days, then you don’t have to apply for a visa.

Travel Documents You Will Need:

A valid U.S. passport.

All passports must have a minimum of 6 months before expiration, that is 6 months from the date of your travel departure. Your passport should also have at least two blank pages for stamping.

Health and Medical Advice

Before jetting off to Japan, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in Japan. It’s also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital to where you are staying is, in case of an emergency.

Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to Japan?

We would highly recommend that you get protected against Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, Cholera and Japanese Encephalitis as well as getting your routine vaccinations updated. The standard vaccines are:

•    MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
•    Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
•    Influenza
•    Polio
•    Chickenpox

Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment, at the latest, four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.

Travel Health Updates in Japan

Currently, there are no reported epidemics occurring in Japan.

To keep up to date on any breakouts, visit the CDC website.

Emergency Contact Information in Japan

No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services while they’re on vacation, but unfortunately accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.

•    Police emergency contact number: 110

•    Fire and Medical emergency contact number: 119

Japan Local Laws and Customs

• You will always be required to change into toilet slippers when wanting to use the restroom.
• Shoes are not worn when in someone’s house or on traditional Japanese flooring. Some restaurants, hotels or resorts will also expect you to take your shoes off.
• There is no tipping in any situation in Japan, tipping is actually seen as rude. This includes cabs, restaurants and personal care services.
• You must carry your passport with you at all times.
• Japan has zero tolerance towards drug possession and there are severe penalties for all drug offences

Safety and Security

Petty Theft and Crime

Japan is known as being one of the safest countries in the world due to its very low crime rate, but it is advisable to take the same precautions you would when you are out and about at home. Like any other country with popular tourist destinations, some places in Japan are hot pickpocketing zones. Be alert and keep your belongings with you at all times, especially in crowded areas like train stations and popular public areas like Tokyo’s nightlife districts. It’s always a good idea to keep valuable belongings or extra spending money in a hotel safe, if you are provided with one.


U.S. Embassy in Japan
U.S. Embassy Tokyo
1-10-5 Akasaka Minato-ku
Tokyo
107-8420, Japan
Telephone: 03-3224-5000

Useful Tips for Japan

Official Languages: Japanese
The official language of Japan is Japanese. Contrary to popular belief, English is not as widespread in Japan and it can be quite difficult to communicate with the locals, especially in rural areas. It’s a good idea to learn some basic Japanese vocabulary to help you get by. In popular tourist destinations you will more than likely be able to communicate enough in English.

Currency: Japanese yen
Before your trip to Japan make sure to exchange enough Japanese yen for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.

Japanese Plug Sockets: Type A and B
You won’t need a plug adapter in Japan. However, the standard voltage and frequency in Japan is 100 V and 50 / 60 Hz. We would recommend that you buy a voltage converter or transformer, try and go for one that can also alter frequency.

© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.