No advisory against travel
“Earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture A large earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture on 28 July 2026. There are reports of disruption to air and rail services.”
Updated 2026-07-28T10:12:23Z
Full advisory →Is Kanazawa safe? 🇯🇵
Japan · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Kanazawa scores 94/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Kanazawa is one of Japan's safest cities for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kanazawa 🇯🇵
Japan · Assessed 29 July 2026
94
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~98% of countries
What drives this score
Crime93/100GoodCrime index 22.2 / 100
Sentiment89/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories97Good
Stability87Good
Health91Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Japan: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-28T09:59:22.2468342-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
0.2 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
100
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare; isolated incidents have been reported near late‑night bar districts in the Katamachi area
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs most often in Omicho Market, Kanazawa Station, and during evening hours in the entertainment quarter
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
89/100
Reported feel92Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports on Reddit and travel forums describe Kanazawa as very safe, with visitors feeling comfortable walking alone at night in well‑lit districts.
Yes — Kanazawa is one of Japan's safest cities for visitors.
Kanazawa scores 95/100 on the composite safety index, reflecting extremely low violent crime, strong institutional stability, and high public trust. Natural‑disaster risk is the primary safety concern, but the city’s infrastructure is well‑prepared.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Sinkhole appeared on a central street near Kanazawa Station, prompting temporary road closures; no injuries reported— The Japan News, 2026-04-15
- Jun 2026Small tremor (M4.2) recorded 15 km offshore, felt lightly in the city; no damage or casualties— USGS, 2026-06-03
- May 2026Police arrested three individuals for a taxi‑fare scam targeting tourists at Kanazawa Station— Nikkei Asia, 2026-05-22
Common scams
- Premium tuna overcharging at Omicho Market
- Unlicensed taxi services charging inflated fares
- Fake charity collectors soliciting donations near Kanazawa Station
- Photo scams targeting tourists at popular garden spots
Full briefing
Kanazawa is exceptionally safe for travelers, with violent crime rates near zero and a composite safety index of 95/100 that places it among the world’s most secure destinations. The city’s strong institutional framework, low homicide rate (0.2 per 100 k) and high public‑order scores mean that everyday risks such as assault or robbery are minimal. The primary safety concern is natural‑disaster exposure; a recent M4.2 tremor in June 2026 was felt lightly but caused no damage, and a sinkhole that opened near Kanazawa Station in April 2026 led to temporary road closures but no injuries. These incidents underscore the importance of staying aware of seismic activity, though the city’s emergency systems are well‑prepared.
Recent reports from travel‑focused sites highlight a handful of scams that specifically target visitors. Unlicensed taxi drivers have been documented charging inflated fares at Kanazawa Station, while market stalls in Omicho Market occasionally overcharge for premium tuna or apply hidden fees. Fake charity collectors have also been observed soliciting donations near the station, and photo scammers approach tourists at popular garden locations demanding payment for pictures. These scams are modest in frequency but can affect travelers who are not vigilant.
To stay safe, keep personal belongings secured in crowded areas such as Omicho Market and Kanazawa Station, use only metered or app‑based taxis, and verify any charitable appeals before donating. Agree on prices for photos in advance and decline unsolicited offers. While the overall risk is low, a moderate level of pickpocketing does occur in busy tourist zones, so maintaining awareness of your surroundings will ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit to this historic city.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Kanazawa districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kanazawa safety map.
Nishi Chaya DistrictavoidLimited lighting and sparse police patrols at night; higher risk of opportunistic theft and scams.
Higashi Chaya DistrictcautionPopular geisha quarter; safe in daylight but pickpocketing and scam attempts increase after dark.
Omicho MarketcautionCrowded market with tourist scams targeting premium‑tuna and taxi‑app upsells; stay alert.
Kanazawa Port AreacautionIndustrial zone with limited foot traffic; safe during daylight but avoid after dark due to low visibility.
Kanazawa Station AreasaferMajor transport hub with heavy police presence and constant foot traffic; low petty‑crime risk during daylight.
Kanazawa Castle ParksaferWell‑patrolled park and surrounding streets; minimal crime, but occasional petty theft from unattended bags.
KuramachisaferQuiet residential area with low crime; occasional minor traffic incidents during rush hour.
Kanazawa University CampussaferSecure campus grounds; occasional minor disturbances during student protests but no safety threats.
07 · After Dark
Is Kanazawa safe at night?
82% of people in Japan say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging and armed robbery are rare; isolated incidents have been reported near late‑night bar districts in the Katamachi area
After dark, be most careful around Nishi Chaya District, Higashi Chaya District, Omicho Market, Kanazawa Port Area. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Kanazawa's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight94
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight94
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight93
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight94
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight93
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight93
09 · Questions
Kanazawa safety FAQ
Is Kanazawa safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Kanazawa is one of Japan's safest cities for visitors. Kanazawa scores 95/100 on the composite safety index, reflecting extremely low violent crime, strong institutional stability, and high public trust. Natural‑disaster risk is the primary safety concern, but the city’s infrastructure is well‑prepared. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Kanazawa should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Nishi Chaya District as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kanazawa?
- Premium tuna overcharging at Omicho Market
- Unlicensed taxi services charging inflated fares
- Fake charity collectors soliciting donations near Kanazawa Station
- Photo scams targeting tourists at popular garden spots
How does Kanazawa compare with other places in Japan?
Kanazawa ranks #1 of 9 Japan destinations we've assessed, scoring 94/100. See the Japan safety overview for the full list.
How is this Kanazawa safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Japan safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: kanazawa.json (CC BY 4.0).