Is Hakone safe?
Very safe for people. Volcanic gas, fog and mountain weather are the real hazards, plus hot-spring heat for older or unwell visitors.
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 Hakone at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Almost none; occasional bag thefts in crowded sightseeing spots. Visitors mainly face crowds and weather. |
| At night | Quiet after dark; most restaurants close by 8–9 pm. Buses stop early, so check the last bus. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Check ryokan solo-booking rules; some refuse single guests. |
| Other risks | Volcanic gas at Owakudani; follow closure notices; Fog and ice on mountain roads; Earthquake and Mount Hakone volcanic alerts |
Scams, areas and local laws
Take care
- Owakudani: volcanic gas can close trails and the ropeway
- Mountain roads in fog and snow: narrow bends
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 Hakone 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 Hakone safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Check ryokan solo-booking rules; some refuse single guests.
Is Hakone safe at night?
Quiet after dark; most restaurants close by 8–9 pm. Buses stop early, so check the last bus.
What is the crime rate in Hakone?
Almost none; occasional bag thefts in crowded sightseeing spots. Visitors mainly face crowds and weather. Nationally, Japan records 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Hakone?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Hakone
Going to Hakone solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Odakyu Hakone Free Pass
- 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.