Is Matsumoto safe?
Very safe, day and night. Mountain weather and winter ice 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 Matsumoto at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Almost none; petty theft is rare. |
| At night | Quiet and safe; the station area has izakaya, and most shops close early. |
| Solo women | Very safe for solo women, day or night. |
| Other risks | Cold winters below −5°C; Earthquakes; the area is seismically active; Mountain weather and bears on Alps trails |
Scams, areas and local laws
Take care
- Icy pavements and steps in Dec–Feb: slips are common
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 Matsumoto 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 Matsumoto safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe for solo women, day or night.
Is Matsumoto safe at night?
Quiet and safe; the station area has izakaya, and most shops close early.
What is the crime rate in Matsumoto?
Almost none; petty theft is rare. Nationally, Japan records 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Matsumoto?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Matsumoto
Going to Matsumoto solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Visit Matsumoto (city tourism)
- JR East
- Alpico Kotsu
- 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.