Is Kyoto safe?
Very safe, including at night. Crowds, bike thieves and bad behaviour in Gion are the main issues.
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 Kyoto at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Violent crime against visitors is rare; bicycle theft, occasional pickpocketing on crowded buses and bar touts around Pontocho and Kiyamachi. |
| At night | Quiet and safe, but most places close by 10 pm; Kiyamachi bars run late with some touts. Last buses leave early. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women, day and night. Avoid following touts into bars; usual care with drinks. |
| Other risks | Summer heat above 38°C in Jul–Aug; Typhoon floods Sep–Oct; Earthquakes; same advice as the rest of Japan |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Touts in Kiyamachi and Pontocho steering visitors to overpriced bars
- Rickshaw drivers quoting vague prices; confirm total before riding
- Strangers offering free 'geisha' photos then asking for money
Take care
- Gion private alleys: photography bans carry on-the-spot fines
- Crowded buses 100 and 206: pickpockets and no room for luggage
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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women, day and night. Avoid following touts into bars; usual care with drinks.
Is Kyoto safe at night?
Quiet and safe, but most places close by 10 pm; Kiyamachi bars run late with some touts. Last buses leave early.
What is the crime rate in Kyoto?
Violent crime against visitors is rare; bicycle theft, occasional pickpocketing on crowded buses and bar touts around Pontocho and Kiyamachi. Nationally, Japan records 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Kyoto?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Kyoto
Going to Kyoto solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Kyoto meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Kyoto City Official Travel Guide
- Kyoto City Transportation Bureau
- Kansai 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.