Is Ishigaki safe?
Very safe from crime. Sea conditions, jellyfish, typhoons and driving distances 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 Ishigaki at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Almost nothing beyond occasional bike theft or items left on beaches. |
| At night | Quiet and safe; the port area has izakaya open late, and the rest of the island is dark. |
| Solo women | Very safe alone. Rural roads and beaches are empty at night, so plan transport. |
| Other risks | Typhoons Jul–Oct can cancel flights and ferries; Box jellyfish and habu snakes; Strong UV and heatstroke |
Scams, areas and local laws
Take care
- Swimming outside marked areas: strong currents and box jellyfish Apr–Oct
- Snorkeling alone without a guide in reef channels
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 Ishigaki 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 Ishigaki safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe alone. Rural roads and beaches are empty at night, so plan transport.
Is Ishigaki safe at night?
Quiet and safe; the port area has izakaya open late, and the rest of the island is dark.
What is the crime rate in Ishigaki?
Almost nothing beyond occasional bike theft or items left on beaches. Nationally, Japan records 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Ishigaki?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Ishigaki
Going to Ishigaki solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Ishigaki City tourism
- Painushima Ishigaki Airport
- Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
- 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.