Is Nagasaki safe?
Very safe, day or night. Steep stairs, heat and typhoon rain are the main hazards.
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 Nagasaki at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Rare petty theft; touts near Shianbashi bars are the main nuisance. |
| At night | Central streets stay lively and safe until trams stop around 11 pm. |
| Solo women | Very safe alone. The usual care when leaving bars late. |
| Other risks | Landslide and flood warnings in heavy rain; Steep stairs on hill neighborhoods; Humid heat in Jul–Aug |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Bar touts on Shianbashi streets steering visitors to overpriced venues
Take care
- Shianbashi bars late at night: touts 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 Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe alone. The usual care when leaving bars late.
Is Nagasaki safe at night?
Central streets stay lively and safe until trams stop around 11 pm.
What is the crime rate in Nagasaki?
Rare petty theft; touts near Shianbashi bars 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 Nagasaki?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Nagasaki
Going to Nagasaki solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Nagasaki Travel Guide (city tourism)
- Nagasaki Electric Tramway
- Nagasaki 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.