Is Hakodate safe?
Very safe, day and night. Winter ice, bears on distant trails and cold are the real risks.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-05-14.
- Homicide rate in Japan: 0.2 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Japan: 3.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
Safety in Hakodate at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Almost none; petty theft is rare. |
| At night | Central streets and the tram are safe late; the Hakodate Night View crowds are orderly. |
| Solo women | Very safe for solo women, day or night. |
| Other risks | Ice and snow Dec–Mar; Strong wind and fog on Mt. Hakodate; Bears on distant hiking trails |
Scams, areas and local laws
Take care
- Icy pavements and steps in Dec–Mar: slips are common
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Short-term visitors must carry their passport at all times; police may ask for it.
- Adderall and strong pseudoephedrine decongestants are banned; check medicines before packing.
- Cannabis, including CBD with THC, is illegal; using it has been a crime since Dec 2024.
How Hakodate compares in Japan
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Kyoto | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Osaka | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Hiroshima | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Nara | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sapporo | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Okinawa | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Hakone | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Fukuoka | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Kawaguchiko | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Niseko | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Yokohama | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Kanazawa | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Takayama | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Nagoya | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Nikko | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Kamakura | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Kobe | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Hakuba | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Ishigaki | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Nagasaki | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Shirakawa-go | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Miyakojima | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Hakodate | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Otaru | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Beppu | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Matsumoto | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Koyasan | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Furano | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sendai | 5/5 · Very safe |
Quick answers
Is Hakodate safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe for solo women, day or night.
Is Hakodate safe at night?
Central streets and the tram are safe late; the Hakodate Night View crowds are orderly.
What is the crime rate in Hakodate?
Almost none; petty theft is rare. Nationally, Japan records 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Hakodate?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Hakodate
Going to Hakodate solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Hakodate city tourism (Hakodate Travel Guide)
- Hakodate City Tram
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.