Exercise Normal Precautions
“Exercise normal precautionin Japan. U.S.”
Updated Thu, 15 May 2025
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now6 districts
Is Akihabara safe? 🇯🇵
Japan · Safety report last updated
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Akihabara 🇯🇵
Japan · Assessed 29 October 2026
94
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime92/100GoodHomicide 0.2 / 100k
Sentiment92/100GoodVery Positive
Advisories100Good
Stability89Good
Health87Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:45:59Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Japan: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-26T10:39:17.3585798-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Low risk
96
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
90 / 100 (Very Positive)
90
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
77k residents
88
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.2 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
100
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent crime and robbery are exceptionally rare in Akihabara and Tokyo.
Pickpocketing
LowPickpocketing is rare but can occur in very crowded tourist spots; maintain basic awareness.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Very Positive
92/100
Reported feel90Very Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk96Low risk
Travelers consistently report feeling very safe in Tokyo and Akihabara, with a strong sense of security even at night.
Akihabara is very safe for visitors, with risks primarily related to petty scams and environmental factors rather than violent crime.
Japan, and Tokyo specifically, maintains an extremely low crime rate, with official advisories recommending normal precautions. While Akihabara is generally safe, visitors should be aware of potential scams targeting tourists and exercise caution in crowded areas.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026A man was held for allegedly planning an indiscriminate killing in Tokyo.— The Japan Times
- Jul 2026A mass murder plot was reportedly stopped by the friend of the perpetrator of the 2008 Akihabara massacre.— SoraNews24
- Jun 2026Victims were mourned 18 years after the Akihabara stabbing incident.— The Japan Times
- Jan 2024A woman admitted to attacking passengers with the intention of killing in a Tokyo train attack.— The Japan News
Common scams
- Overpriced electronics or services
- Street touts offering dubious deals
Full briefing
Akihabara is a district where visitors can expect a high level of safety, consistent with Tokyo's overall reputation as one of the world's most secure major cities. Official government advisories for Japan consistently recommend exercising normal precautions, reflecting the rarity of violent crime.
While Akihabara is generally safe, even at night according to some traveler accounts, it is a popular tourist hub. Be aware of potential scams, such as overpriced electronics or unsolicited offers from street touts, which are the most commonly cited risks for visitors. Although pickpocketing is rare, maintaining basic awareness of your belongings in very crowded areas is advisable.
Recent news indicates that while violent crime is uncommon, authorities remain vigilant. In July 2026, a plot for an indiscriminate killing in Tokyo was reportedly thwarted, and a friend of the perpetrator of the 2008 Akihabara massacre allegedly stopped another mass murder plot. These incidents highlight that while direct threats to tourists are minimal, broader security concerns exist.
To ensure a safe visit, stick to well-trafficked areas, be skeptical of overly attractive deals, and keep valuables secure. Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures and be aware of Japan's susceptibility to natural events like earthquakes, though specific alerts for Akihabara itself are rare.
Was this Akihabara, Japan report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Akihabara districts for visitors: 2 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Akihabara safety map.
Shinjuku (especially Kabukicho)avoidKabukicho area has a higher concentration of nightlife-related scams and touts.
RoppongiavoidKnown for nightlife and associated risks of scams and overcharging.
AkihabaracautionGenerally safe, but be aware of potential pickpocketing in crowded areas and specific nightlife-related scams.
ShibuyacautionKnown for crowds, increasing risk of pickpocketing and potential for nightlife scams.
Chiyoda Ward (Central Tokyo)saferIncludes Akihabara, but central business and government areas are very safe.
Taito Ward (Includes Asakusa)saferA popular tourist area with a low crime rate.
07 · After Dark
Is Akihabara safe at night?
82% of people in Japan say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Violent crime and robbery are exceptionally rare in Akihabara and Tokyo.
After dark, be most careful around Shinjuku (especially Kabukicho), Roppongi, Akihabara, Shibuya. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Akihabara safety FAQ (2026)
Is Akihabara safe right now (2026)?
Akihabara is very safe for visitors, with risks primarily related to petty scams and environmental factors rather than violent crime. Japan, and Tokyo specifically, maintains an extremely low crime rate, with official advisories recommending normal precautions. While Akihabara is generally safe, visitors should be aware of potential scams targeting tourists and exercise caution in crowded areas. (Assessed 29 October 2026.)
Is Akihabara safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Akihabara report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Akihabara should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Shinjuku (especially Kabukicho), Roppongi as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Akihabara (2026)?
- Overpriced electronics or services
- Street touts offering dubious deals
How does Akihabara compare with other places in Japan (2026)?
Akihabara ranks #6 of 9 Japan destinations we've assessed, scoring 94/100. See the Japan safety overview for the full list.
How is this akihabara safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More Japan reports
6 reports
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: akihabara.json (CC BY 4.0).