Search and rescue insurance, Japan

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 S Ramsay 09 Jul 2021

I am travelling to Japan for work for the next three months and will want to do some hiking while I am there. After reading a couple of websites I get the impression that you are billed for any search and rescue and thus specific insurance is recommended however I cannot find what organisation I should join or insurance I should purchase. Does anyone have any experience of this? Austrian Alpine Club only covers the first 8 weeks of a trip. What cover do ordinary Japanese people use?

Thanks in advance

 fammer 09 Jul 2021
In reply to S Ramsay:

I lived there for 6 months and did a lot of hiking in the mountains with both locals and ex pats while I was there, and no one seemed to use any insurance, or at least no one mentioned it. In my experience it would be quite hard to get lost in the mountains in Japan, the whole experience is a little dumbed down for want of a better phrase compared to other parts of the world. You'll find most trails are marked by brightly coloured tape on tree branches every ~10m, any steep, moderately difficult terrain will usually have metal steps or at least a chain in place, and maps are very easy to read and usually have (quite conservative) time estimates for legs of hikes. 

If you are going to be based near Tokyo let me know and I can give you some advice on good places to go, and also put you in touch with some keen people who are still there and getting out and about a lot.

 Trangia 09 Jul 2021
In reply to S Ramsay:

Have you tried the BMC insurance?

OP S Ramsay 09 Jul 2021
In reply to fammer:

I thought that might be the case, was just a bit nervous as never been to Japan before and am likely to explore on my own. Will be based in Kobe but thanks for the offer of route suggestions.

@Trangia, BMC is £460 for a single 90 day trip, I was just after something like Carre Neige or AAC in case I break an ankle or similar and can't just walk out while walking at the weekends

 fammer 09 Jul 2021
In reply to S Ramsay:

Have a look at the Kumano Kodo if you haven't already, not very demanding hiking but great scenery and a nice way to spend a long weekend.

 Skip 09 Jul 2021
In reply to S Ramsay:

Join the Austrian Alpine club

https://aacuk.org.uk/p-mountain-rescue-search-insurance

Post edited at 09:21
2
 Postmanpat 09 Jul 2021
In reply to S Ramsay:

  I would strongly recommend getting some insurance. They are big mountains in Japan with objective dangers and sometimes severe weather, and rescue is very expensive.

  This link gives an idea https://ridgelineimages.com/musings/hiking-in-japan-why-insurance-matters/

  As it suggests, you can get insurance by the day in some places.

You might also try contacting the Japan Alpine Club <http://jac.or.jp/english.html> or the Outdoor Club Japan or Outdoor Club Tokyo. The latter are primarily made up of ex-pat residents and might be able to point you in the right direction..

This website has a number of useful links including the Outdoor clubs. https://www.garyjwolff.com/japan-links.html


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