Is Kagoshima safe?
Very safe, day or night. The volcano, ash and typhoons matter more than crime.
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 Kagoshima at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Rare petty theft; touts in Tenmonkan are the main nuisance. |
| At night | Tenmonkan stays busy until late and feels safe; trams and buses end around 10–11 pm. |
| Solo women | Very safe alone, day or night. The usual care leaving bars late. |
| Other risks | Sakurajima ash fall and eruptions; check the daily forecast; Typhoons and heavy rain Jun–Oct; Earthquakes |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Bar touts in Tenmonkan steering visitors to venues with inflated bills
Take care
- Tenmonkan late at night: touts, spiked drinks and bill disputes
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 Kagoshima 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 |
| Kagoshima | 5/5 · Very safe |
Quick answers
Is Kagoshima safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe alone, day or night. The usual care leaving bars late.
Is Kagoshima safe at night?
Tenmonkan stays busy until late and feels safe; trams and buses end around 10–11 pm.
What is the crime rate in Kagoshima?
Rare petty theft; touts in Tenmonkan are the main nuisance. Nationally, Japan records 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Kagoshima?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Kagoshima
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Travel Kagoshima (prefectural tourism)
- Kagoshima City Transportation Bureau
- Kagoshima Airport
- 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.