Is Kawaguchiko safe?
Very safe. The risks are weather, crowds at viewpoints and mountain hazards, not 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 Kawaguchiko at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Almost none; occasional thefts from rental cars at parking spots. Overcrowding and dangerous roadside photography are more common problems. |
| At night | Very quiet after dark; many restaurants close by 8 pm. Few taxis, so check last buses. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women; the town is quiet and safe at night. |
| Other risks | Altitude and weather on Fuji above 2,000 m; Fog and ice on mountain roads in winter; Earthquake and Fuji volcanic alerts |
Scams, areas and local laws
Take care
- Roadside Fuji photo spots: traffic and crowds, obey barriers
- Fuji climbing outside the official season: ice and weather
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 Kawaguchiko 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 Kawaguchiko safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women; the town is quiet and safe at night.
Is Kawaguchiko safe at night?
Very quiet after dark; many restaurants close by 8 pm. Few taxis, so check last buses.
What is the crime rate in Kawaguchiko?
Almost none; occasional thefts from rental cars at parking spots. Overcrowding and dangerous roadside photography are more common problems. Nationally, Japan records 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Kawaguchiko?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Kawaguchiko
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Fujikyu Railway
- Yamanashi Tourism Organization
- 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.