To What Extent Is Travel To Tokyo Safe?

Tokyo, a bustling city in Japan, has a low overall risk due to its large population and safe nightlife. Tourists can visit Japan on package tours, including non-guided ones. The Japanese government provides safety alerts via various apps, including the Japan National Tourism app.

Tokyo is the fifth safest city in the world according to the Safe City Index 2021, ranking it as the world’s 25th-safest city out of 334. However, it is important to note that all cities have some level of crime. Tokyo ranks 12th, 14th, and 15th in comparison to other major cities like New York City, Washington DC, and London.

In terms of street crime, Tokyo is considered extremely safe for men, with a very low rate of assault or robbery. However, there are still areas where there may be discrimination and long stays. In terms of medical care, Japan is considered one of the safest countries in the world, with reports of theft being very low.

Despite being a largely populated city, Tokyo is a relatively safe city to travel to and learn more about Japanese culture. It is recommended to exercise normal precautions in Japan, as it is generally considered one of the safest countries in the world.

In summary, Tokyo is a relatively safe city to visit, with a low overall risk due to its large population and low crime rates. However, it is essential to exercise normal precautions and stay informed about the latest safety measures and potential risks in the city.


📹 5 Sneaky Tourist Scams in Tokyo Japan

While Tokyo is often regarded as one of the safest big cities in the world, it still has scams that target tourists. Most of these scams …


Is Tokyo safer than New York?

New York City has experienced a steady increase in major crimes over the years, with the number of rapes, murders, and robberies occurring within the same period in Tokyo. The rate of infanticides among the total of murder cases was significantly higher in Tokyo than in New York City. Meanwhile, intruders were found to seek confrontation with victims more actively than their counterparts in Tokyo. Social and cultural factors contributing to the causes of major crimes are discussed.

Why is Tokyo's crime rate so low?
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Why is Tokyo’s crime rate so low?

Japan’s low crime rate is largely due to its culture and national character, which values social harmony and avoids conflict. The country’s highly homogenous nature, with 97. 9% of the population ethnically Japanese, has resulted in strict immigration policies that maintain cultural uniformity. However, this has led to a rapidly aging population and a labor shortage, with just over 50 businesses experiencing difficulties in recruiting staff.

Despite the low crime rate, Japan is home to organized crime syndicates, known as the Yakuza, which operate businesses across the country and engage in drug smuggling, loan-sharking, gambling, and prostitution. The Yakuza operate a strict internal code of honor and pride themselves on their “chivalry” (ninkyou), which prevents them from disrupting public order. The general public has little contact with the Yakuza, but they are not illegal members.

The Anti-Boryokudan law, enacted in 1991 and revised in 2007 and 2012, curtailed many of the Yakuza’s activities and financially destabilized them, but it has prompted them to disregard their “ninkyo” and commit crimes on ordinary people.

Is 7 nights in Tokyo enough?

For a 7-day stay in Tokyo, you can explore major attractions, off-the-beaten-path spots, tourist activities, and cultural experiences. It’s never too short to experience Tokyo, unless visa issues arise. Other unique experiences include visiting themed cafés like Robot Restaurant, Vampire Café, Monster Café, maid Café, and Owl Café, go-karting around Tokyo, watching sumo tournaments or practice, participating in a Japanese tea ceremony, and seeing cosplay at Harajuku or buying costumes at Akihabara. These activities offer unique experiences and provide an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the city.

Is Japan safe for foreigner?
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Is Japan safe for foreigner?

Japan is generally considered one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and a culture of leaving belongings unaccompanied in cafes and bars. However, due to its location in the ‘Ring of Fire’, Japan is frequently hit by natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, extreme flooding, and typhoons. Although Japanese infrastructure is built to accommodate these occurrences, they rarely cause widespread harm. Typhoons are the most likely natural phenomena travelers will encounter, with season officially ending in August to October but beginning as early as May.

Heavy rains, strong winds, and flooding are common during these months, but with proper preparation and optional inside activities, there is little chance of being caught unaware. Earthquakes are common in Japan, but most are low on the’shindo’ scale and cause little damage. In the unlikely event of a serious earthquake, follow the directions of your Intrepid leader or local authorities. If on your own, drop to the ground and cover your neck and shoulders to prevent debris impact. If there is a sturdy desk nearby, it is a good place to take cover.

Is it safe for tourists in Tokyo?

Japan is a secure destination for tourists, largely due to the country’s advanced medical care and relatively low crime rate. While Tokyo has a relatively low crime rate, it is nevertheless advisable to exercise caution in the event of an emergency. It is advisable to familiarise oneself with the emergency service telephone numbers and to ascertain the availability of English-language medical services in Tokyo. Furthermore, it is advisable to retain the contact details of the embassy of your country in order to guarantee your safety.

Is Tokyo safe for Westerners?

Tokyo’s entertainment districts are at higher risk of crime, especially at night in clubs and bars. Foreign nationals have been targeted for extortion, robbery, assault, and sexual assault. To protect yourself, be aware of your surroundings and keep valuables in sight. When traveling, place valuables in a secure place like a hotel safe. Rape and sexual assault are rare but can happen, with Japanese law placing a high burden on victims to prove non-consensual sexual relations were committed through assault, intimidation, or force.

How safe is Japan for a solo female traveller?

It is generally safe for women to travel alone in Japan. However, they should exercise caution in popular club areas such as Shinjuku and Shibuya, where touts may attempt to exploit them. Carrying a bag can help prevent unwanted physical contact on trains, and maintaining situational awareness is also advisable.

Is it safe to go to Tokyo right now?
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Is it safe to go to Tokyo right now?

Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that causes brain swelling and is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Risk is low for most travelers, but those at higher risk may need to consider vaccination. Long-term travel, multiple trips to endemic areas, extended stays in rural areas, visiting areas with JE outbreaks, and activities involving high contact with mosquitos are all risk factors. Hepatitis B is a viral liver disease that can be easily transmitted through blood and body fluids.

Travelers exposed to blood or bodily fluids through sexual contact, medical treatment, needle sharing, tattooing, acupuncture, or occupational exposure are at higher risk. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travelers. Preventing infection involves safe sex, using new and sterile drug equipment, and getting tattoos and piercings in settings following public health regulations and standards.

Do people speak English in Tokyo?

In Japan, non-Japanese speakers can easily navigate public transport, especially in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. English signs are prevalent in train stations and airports, and machines can be used to purchase tickets in both Japanese and English. Boards and signs feature both English and Japanese for finding rides and navigating platforms. Station names are also displayed in English, allowing non-Japanese speakers to relax and enjoy their journey. This makes it easier for non-Japanese speakers to enjoy their time in Japan.

Is Tokyo safe to walk at night?
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Is Tokyo safe to walk at night?

Tokyo is generally safe to walk around at night, even very late into the night. As one of the world’s safest cities, it is more important to be concerned about missing the last train than getting mugged. Tokyo is known for its fantastic food, culture, and amazing nightlife, which is a highlight for foreigners living in the city. The city offers bars, karaoke, and nightclubs for everyone to enjoy. For those new to Tokyo, concerns about walking around the city at night are not uncommon.

This article provides information on Tokyo at night, addressing common concerns and providing a list of the best spots. For more information on Japanese culture and nightlife, check out the main page and subscribe to our newsletter for bi-weekly study tips, advice, and stories on how to improve your Japanese.

Is Tokyo friendly to foreigners?
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Is Tokyo friendly to foreigners?

Japanese society is renowned for its welcoming and forgiving nature towards foreigners, which makes it an optimal destination for those who are willing to learn from their mistakes.


📹 Revealing Tokyo’s BEST Areas For YOUR Stay! Local Booking Tips Included!

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To What Extent Is Travel To Tokyo Safe?
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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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14 comments

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  • Great article ! I love all your Japan articles. It’s your Japan articles that I started perusal before my first trip to Japan, and started to subscribed to your great Travel website. Your articles were extremely helpful, they made me understand Japanese culture, what to expect, places to see and how to get around Tokyo. I always appreciate learning more and especially about scams, having said that, I felt very safe in Tokyo too. Thanks Chris

  • I will get there eventually but yes good upload my friend,. It’s crazy how some people can get sucked into these kind of scams but I suppose that’s just what happens in this world at the moment🤷🏻‍♂️.. Just in the last 2 weeks I’ve been called on my mobile phone 3 times that there is illegal activity on my credit card and for some reason my tax file number has been suspended and the saying that there is a warrant out for my arrest if I don’t sort this out?? How crazy is that🤣 it doesn’t even make any sense at all, but no doubt it’s caught a lot of people out here in Australia 🇦🇺 🤦🏻‍♂️👍🏻

  • Luckily, I have friends who I visit and hang out with each time I go to Japan. I always feel safe. I have been approached and invited into bars, but I always kindly say no thank you. I don’t drink, so it’s no problem for me, but your advice is spot on for those who my fall prey to some of the hijinks. Thank you for sharing.

  • The bottom line is, use your common sense. Nothing is more expensive than “free”, especially in Shinjuku, Roppongi, Ikebukuro and Akasaka not so much in Shibuya since it’s a young people’s town and it’s assume young people have less money to scam off of but scam bars do exist…For a local feel, go to Shibashi and hop into an izakaya under the rails, you can meet a lot of friendly people there..

  • Great article, Chris. This happens to Japanese people as well and almost exclusively in busy night districts, like Shinjuku in Tokyo, Nanba in Osaka, becuase the scammers cannot get enough victims in small towns and villages. The rule of thumb is not to be invited to an establishment by someone who you do not know and approached you on the street. In Shinjuku, there are a lot of Nigerians doing this – they spend time befriending you, first having a drink in a normal bar or eating in a diner together, then take you to their place after you become “friends” and agreed to extend the fun night. Another way is to test if they really insist on going to a particular bar they know. This works also with the dating scam. On the way to the bar, you can suddenly change your mind and want to go to another bar you find on the internet (do the homework) and see how the guy/girl reacts.

  • You must have been awfully thirsty with all those drinking scams. 😉 But it’s true that Tokyo is very safe. I experienced no drinking scams when I was there, and certainly nobody came up to me to offer a modeling career. If they did, they certainly weren’t looking at me with their good eye. Shanghai is another story. I had enough of woman walking up to me asking if “I needed a massage.”

  • When travel returns to Tokyo I recommend Free Tokyo Travel Guides. Though its advertised as free you are responsible to pay for lunch and the guides expense for travel. My guide asks for about 5 dollars for metro train expenses. And I paid about 15 dollars for their lunch. Also when we returned home they did ask for donations for their service(we gave $25). But I think a service that lasted about 7hrs, it was very minimal amount of money.

  • I got scammed a few nights ago in Shinbashi, lady approached me to go to her club, went up to the 5th floor and ordered 1 beer. Felt like leaving after that because it felt shady, ended up getting charged a bogus “cover fee” and “club fee”. I had to pay like $200 Australian dollars to get out of it, very scary Yakuza looking dude in the back of the bar staring at me. Wish i had watched this article before.

  • As far as I know, most of the scams in Japan seem to be related to drinking (luckily, I don’t generally go to bars). I know there are lots of cults/religious groups that also “invite” people to stuff (those sound really scary), but I’m wondering if there are other common scams… When I was in Japan a few years ago, I didn’t have ANY issues and was really safe/secure the whole time.

  • Tokyo’s the safest big city I’ve ever been to, but yes, if you really want to, you can get ripped off. Basic rule as you pointed out: If someone invites you in, don’t go. One exception I’d make to that is in Akihabara, with the maid cafes. They’re not cheap, but they are an interesting experience for an hour. And yes, only work with cash. That’s pretty much Japan all over anyway. Thanks for the article!

  • This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Lived for almost 3 years in Japan and never encounter any of these situations. Even if you follow one of these scammers, he will take you to a shitty bar, you will get one drink with a tiny amount of alcohol for free, and you may have to pay around 2000 yen (~USD20) for a second one. Japan is by far the safest place in the world and Japanese people are the most honest.

  • Facts! I am in Japan now and i was in the Shinjuku area yesterday and a very nice shy Guy approached me I thought he need help but he start showing me on the phone some photos of table he was like Japanese conversation I didn’t catch a lot but I was like yeah no I am good,, he insisted again and I was I am good no interest,, same day again a Korean lady came to me I was standing on the situation on my phone and she came like excuse me very nice and shy again I thought she need help and she was like I am from Korea you from where and I was like Aaa Sweden and she was like started showing me on phone if I wanna learn Japanese for free,, I was like 🤦‍♂️ I am good thanks. So yeah just be careful same any else in the world like Turkey, LA,NY

  • The most important thing is to not to go to any local bars avoid them at all costs. If you’re a tourist like myself and you would like to drink beer or wine or do you have to do is just go to the beer store, buy yourself beer and take it to your hotel room and drink avoid scams and the second scam avoid talking to strangers at all costs

  • Just an FYI you should probably be considerate about where you’re filming so that you don’t keep catching people who don’t want to be in your article. In one of your shots you’re standing in the middle of a very crowded street where everyone has to walk around you and this is a really big pet peeve for most people in Japan.