Is Tokyo safe?
One of the safest big cities on earth, day and night. Earthquakes, summer heat and typhoons 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 Tokyo at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Petty theft is rare; the real risks are inflated bills from touts in Kabukicho and Roppongi, drink spiking in some bars, and groping on packed trains. |
| At night | Streets and stations stay safe and busy until last trains around midnight. After that taxis or capsule hotels are the options; walking alone is fine. |
| Solo women | Very safe alone at any hour. Groping on crowded trains is the main problem; women-only cars run in rush hours. Refuse tout invitations in nightlife areas. |
| Other risks | Earthquakes; learn your building's exit and the Safety tips app; Heatstroke in Jul–Aug humidity; Typhoon rain and train suspensions Aug–Oct |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Touts in Kabukicho and Roppongi lead you to bars with huge bills
- Strangers inviting you for drinks or a 'tea ceremony' then billing you
- Unlicensed taxis near Narita and Haneda quoting very high fares
Take care
- Kabukicho and Roppongi back streets: touts, spiked drinks, overcharging
- Rush-hour trains on Chuo and Saikyo lines: groping; use women-only cars
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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe alone at any hour. Groping on crowded trains is the main problem; women-only cars run in rush hours. Refuse tout invitations in nightlife areas.
Is Tokyo safe at night?
Streets and stations stay safe and busy until last trains around midnight. After that taxis or capsule hotels are the options; walking alone is fine.
What is the crime rate in Tokyo?
Petty theft is rare; the real risks are inflated bills from touts in Kabukicho and Roppongi, drink spiking in some bars, and groping on packed trains. Nationally, Japan records 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Tokyo?
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787.
More about Tokyo
Going to Tokyo solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Tokyo 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
- Tokyo Metro
- Haneda Airport
- Narita International Airport
- GO taxi app
- St. Luke's International 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.