Going to the Olympics

Health and Safety Tips for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Tokyo has been selected to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games for the first time since 1964, and it will be the fourth Olympics overall for Japan. The games have been scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9, 2020. Over 11,000 athletes will be participating in 324 events in 33 sports!

The time is right to start thinking ahead about your Summer Olympic experience. While you are buying event tickets, booking flights, and reserving your hotel room, make sure you consider travelers insurance. Having the right travel insurance in place will protect you if you fall sick or need to seek medical assistance. And coverage may not be as expensive as you think.

Travel Insurance Cover for the Olympics

To give you an idea of Olympic holiday travel insurance coverage, review the Patriot International Plan, which is ideal for both U.S. and non-U.S. Citizens who are traveling to watch the events.

 

If you are anticipating doing some sports yourself and need travel insurance for extreme sports, we offer the Patriot Adventure plan that provides coverage for extreme and adventure sports. Get a quote or apply for a Patriot Plan with the extreme sports insurance rider add-on (for an additional fee).

International Travel Insurance Group is also happy to provide insurance for groups who are traveling to the Olympics. If you have a group that you need coverage for we can tailor plans and offer discounted rates to provide travel insurance for the Olympics – please contact us for more information about that.

Healthcare in Tokyo

According to the U.S. Department of State ― Bureau of Consular Affairs,

“If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Japan’s Ministry of Health website to ensure the medication is legal in Japan.  Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. U.S. prescriptions are not honored in Japan, so if you need ongoing prescription medicine, you should arrive with a sufficient supply for your stay in Japan or enough until you can see a local care provider.”

Visitors Insurance for Travel to Japan cannot use Japan’s health insurance system, so it is recommended that you first buy travel insurance before entering the country.

Hospitals and Clinics in Tokyo

Japan is equipped with well established medical systems and facilities. Therefore you can expect to receive a high standard of medical treatment, should you have an immediate issue with your health while traveling for the Olympics.

If you do not speak the native language, hospitals with English speaking doctors can be found in Tokyo and its surrounding cities. If you are traveling with prescription medication and come to the unfortunate event that you have misplaced them or run out, essential drugs can be purchased at local drugstores, as long as you have a local doctor’s prescription.

Tokyo Emergency Medical Information

In Japan, ambulance services are provided by the fire department; dial ‘119’ from any phone to request an ambulance. If you do not come into contact with an English-speaking operator, the Japanese National Tourism Organization provides some common phrases you can use to communicate with Japanese-speaking staff. For example, if you are having chest pains and want to go to the hospital, say these two phrases, “Mune ga itai desu (I’m having chest pains)” and “Byoin ni ikitai desu (I’d like to go to the hospital).”

All visitors should carry proof of medical insurance, as well as a list of any medications or substances to which you have a known allergy, along with a notation of your blood type.

The AMDA International Medical Information Center provides telephone services to foreigners in Japan in several languages. They can provide introductions to medical facilities with staff who speak the patient’s language, and also explain the health care system to callers.

Tel: Tokyo 050-3598-7574 (office)
Tel: Tokyo 03-5285-8088 (consultation)