Is Nozawa Onsen safe?
Very safe, with almost no crime. Main risks are skiing injuries, ice on village lanes and hot-bath mishaps after drinking.
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 Nozawa Onsen at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Almost none. Skis and snowboards occasionally get taken from racks, so lock them. |
| At night | Lantern-lit lanes are quiet and safe. Izakaya stay open until about 11 pm in winter; dress warmly and watch the ice. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Baths are gender-separated; cold, snowy streets are the main nuisance. |
| Other risks | Ski injuries and avalanche risk off-piste; Ice, snow and cold below -10°C; Very hot bath water |
Scams, areas and local laws
Take care
- Off-piste and out-of-bounds skiing: avalanche risk and strict rules
- Icy lanes at night in Jan–Feb
- Very hot public baths after drinking: fainting risk
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 Nozawa Onsen 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 |
| Nozawa Onsen | 5/5 · Very safe |
Quick answers
Is Nozawa Onsen safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Baths are gender-separated; cold, snowy streets are the main nuisance.
Is Nozawa Onsen safe at night?
Lantern-lit lanes are quiet and safe. Izakaya stay open until about 11 pm in winter; dress warmly and watch the ice.
What is the crime rate in Nozawa Onsen?
Almost none. Skis and snowboards occasionally get taken from racks, so lock them. Nationally, Japan records 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Nozawa Onsen?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Nozawa Onsen
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort
- Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort: access by train and bus
- Nagano Tourism
- Iiyama Red Cross Hospital
- 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.