Is Sapporo safe?
Very safe for crime. Ice in winter, driving in snow and bears on nearby hiking trails matter more.
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 Sapporo at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Rare and mostly minor: bag thefts, drunk fights in Susukino late at night, and occasional bar touts. |
| At night | Central streets are busy and safe; Susukino runs late. Subways stop around midnight; taxis are easy to find. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, day and night. Avoid touts in Susukino; usual care with drinks. |
| Other risks | Black ice and heavy snow Dec–Mar; wear grippy boots; Brown bears on hiking trails around the city; Earthquakes; same advice as the rest of Japan |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Susukino touts steering visitors to bars with inflated bills
Take care
- Susukino late at night: touts and drunk crowds
- Pavements in winter: black ice causes many falls
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 Sapporo 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 Sapporo safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, day and night. Avoid touts in Susukino; usual care with drinks.
Is Sapporo safe at night?
Central streets are busy and safe; Susukino runs late. Subways stop around midnight; taxis are easy to find.
What is the crime rate in Sapporo?
Rare and mostly minor: bag thefts, drunk fights in Susukino late at night, and occasional bar touts. Nationally, Japan records 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Sapporo?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Sapporo
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Sapporo City Transportation Bureau
- New Chitose Airport
- Sapporo Snow Festival
- Welcome to Sapporo
- 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.