What kind of travel or medical insurance should I purchase domestically to cover the transition period upon arrival in Japan?

Hello! Congratulations on starting your new life in Japan! You've asked a really crucial question that many overlook when they first arrive, often ending up paying a "fortune" for minor health issues. Based on my experience, let me walk you through this to help you out.

Why do you need "transition period" insurance?

The core of this issue lies in a "time gap".

Your health insurance from China won't work in Japan. And Japan's national health insurance (the famous "National Health Insurance" or NHI) isn't available the moment you land.

The process to get Japanese health insurance usually goes like this:

Get your Residence Card at the airport.
Register your address at the ward office or city office (similar to a neighborhood or district administrative office in China) in the area where you'll live.
Only after registering your address can you apply to join the "National Health Insurance" at the same office.

This process can take as little as a day or two, but sometimes a week or even longer. During this "coverage gap," you have no medical coverage. Medical costs in Japan are extremely high. Without insurance, treating a common cold could cost you thousands or even tens of thousands of yen. If you have a minor accident, the costs could be astronomical.

Therefore, buying insurance in China to cover this transition period is essentially buying peace of mind.

What kind of insurance should I buy?

Don't overcomplicate it. What you need is essentially "overseas travel insurance".

Yes, you read that right – the same kind we buy for regular trips abroad. Even though you're moving to live there, this type of insurance perfectly covers the period right after you land, before your Japanese NHI is set up.

When choosing this insurance, focus on these key points:

1. Medical Coverage Limit (This is the MOST important!)

This is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay if you get sick or injured.

Recommendation: Choose a plan with a medical coverage limit of at least RMB 300,000. Medical costs in Japan are high, and a lower limit might not be enough. RMB 500,000 or higher is even better, and the price difference usually isn't huge. This money isn't meant to be spent; it's for your peace of mind.

2. Emergency Assistance Services (Very practical!)

This is often a highly valuable service included in overseas travel insurance.

What does it include?
- 24/7 Chinese Hotline: Call directly for advice in Chinese if you encounter problems.
- Doctor/Hospital Referral: Helps you find reliable hospitals nearby.
- Medical Expense Advance Payment: If a major accident occurs and hospitalization costs are too high to pay upfront, the insurer's partner can pay the hospital directly first. This is extremely important!
- Medical Evacuation and Repatriation: If you get seriously ill in a remote area with inadequate facilities, they can transport you to a major hospital or even back to your home country.

3. Coverage Duration

Choose the number of coverage days based on your plans.

Recommendation: Better longer than shorter. For example, if you expect to complete all formalities within a week, it's best to buy 15 or 30 days of coverage. This ensures you're still covered if things get delayed. Many short-term travel insurance plans are sold in blocks like 7, 15, or 30 days and are quite affordable.

4. Other Coverage (Nice to have)

These are worth checking; they're a bonus if included:

Personal Belongings Loss: Compensation for lost documents or luggage.
Trip Delay: Compensation for flight delays.
Personal Liability: Covers situations where you accidentally damage hotel property or injure someone and need to pay compensation.

Where to buy? How to choose?

Where to Buy: Very convenient. Search for "overseas travel insurance" or "Japan travel insurance" in the insurance services section of Alipay or WeChat – you'll find plenty. Major insurance company websites (e.g., Ping An, PICC, CPIC) or travel platforms (e.g., Ctrip, Fliggy) also offer them.
How to Choose:
1. Don't just look at price: The cheapest option might have very low medical coverage or lack emergency assistance.
2. Compare key features: Place a few products side-by-side and focus mainly on "Medical Coverage Limit" and "Emergency Assistance Services".
3. Read the fine print: Pay special attention to the "Exclusions" section to see what isn't covered (e.g., high-risk sports, pre-existing conditions).

Finally, a few tips from someone who's been there

This is a "Reimbursement" type of insurance: If you see a doctor in Japan, you will likely need to pay upfront yourself. Then, you submit all the receipts to the insurance company for reimbursement after returning to China. So, make sure your credit card has sufficient limit, or carry some cash.
Keep ALL documents: After seeing a doctor in Japan, always keep the Receipt (領収書 - Ryōshūsho) and the Medical Certificate (診断書 - Shindansho). These two documents are essential for reimbursement – you need both! Especially remember to ask the doctor for the Medical Certificate.
The ultimate goal is Japanese NHI: Remember, this insurance bought in China is just a "transition." As soon as you get your Residence Card and settle in, the first thing you should do is go to your local ward or city office to complete the procedures and get your "National Health Insurance" set up! With NHI, you only pay 30% of medical costs in Japan – that's the long-term solution.

Wishing you all the best in Japan!