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 Kobe safe? 🇯🇵
Japan · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Kobe scores 93/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Kobe is one of Japan's safest major cities for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kobe 🇯🇵
Japan · Assessed 29 July 2026
93
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~98% of countries
What drives this score
Crime94/100GoodCrime index 16.5 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment88/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories97Good
Stability87Good
Health86Good
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 reported near nightlife districts after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs mainly in crowded spots such as Sannomiya Station and the waterfront during festivals
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
88/100
Reported feel88Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel safe walking during daylight, though some express concern about earthquake warnings and occasional scams in busy areas.
Yes — Kobe is one of Japan's safest major cities for visitors.
Kobe scores a 94/100 safety index, placing it among the world's safest cities with extremely low violent crime and reliable emergency services. While natural disaster risks, especially earthquakes, exist, the city’s infrastructure and preparedness are strong. Visitors should remain vigilant against petty theft and scams in crowded areas.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Bisected body of a man found in a Kobe apartment freezer; police arrested the ex‑wife, marking a homicide case unusual for the city— The Japan Times
- Jun 2026Two tourists injured after standing on train tracks near Kobe Station; families filed a multimillion‑dollar lawsuit— says.com
- Jun 2026Earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck Kumamoto prefecture, disrupting air and rail services; Kobe reported minor tremors but no structural damage— UK Foreign Office advisory (2026-07-28)
Common scams
- fake religious donations
- Japan Rail Pass scams
- photo scams targeting tourists at popular sites
Full briefing
Kobe is exceptionally safe for travelers, with a composite safety index of 94/100 and homicide rates of just 0.2 per 100,000 people—far below global averages. The city’s low violent‑crime profile means muggings and assaults are rare; the only notable incident in the past year involved a high‑profile homicide case that shocked locals but did not affect tourist areas. Pickpocketing is the most common visitor‑related risk, occurring mainly in crowded hubs such as Sannomiya Station and the waterfront during festivals, where petty theft of wallets and phones has been documented. Recent news also highlighted two tourists who were struck by a train after wandering onto tracks near Kobe Station, underscoring the need for vigilance around railway areas.
Natural‑disaster alerts dominate current concerns: a magnitude‑6.8 earthquake in nearby Kumamoto on 28 July 2026 disrupted rail and air services, and GDACS continues to list minor tremors affecting the wider region, though Kobe itself experienced only light shaking. These seismic events are part of Japan’s routine hazard profile, and the city’s advanced warning systems and disaster‑preparedness infrastructure mitigate danger, but travelers should familiarize themselves with evacuation routes and heed local advisories.
Scams targeting tourists have evolved, with recent reports identifying fake religious donations at shrines, fraudulent Japan Rail Pass sales, and “photo scams” where strangers request payment for taking pictures at popular spots. To stay safe, use licensed taxis or reputable ride‑share apps, keep bags closed and front‑facing in busy areas, and verify any JR Pass or tour operator before purchase. By staying alert to these specific risks—petty theft in crowded zones, occasional seismic activity, and targeted scams—visitors can enjoy Kobe’s many attractions with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Kobe districts for visitors: 3 safer, 1 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kobe safety map.
Kawasaki-choavoidIndustrial zone with higher petty‑theft incidents; avoid after dark
SannomiyacautionBusy nightlife and shopping hub; stay alert after dark and watch for pickpocketing
Kobe HarborlandsaferWell‑lit waterfront area; minimal crime but keep belongings secure in crowds
Arima OnsensaferMountain hot‑spring district; very low crime but limited transport at night
NadasaferResidential and commercial area; generally safe day and night
07 · After Dark
Is Kobe 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 reported near nightlife districts after dark
After dark, be most careful around Kawasaki-cho, Sannomiya. 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 Kobe's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight93
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight93
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight92
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight93
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight92
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight93
09 · Questions
Kobe safety FAQ
Is Kobe safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Kobe is one of Japan's safest major cities for visitors. Kobe scores a 94/100 safety index, placing it among the world's safest cities with extremely low violent crime and reliable emergency services. While natural disaster risks, especially earthquakes, exist, the city’s infrastructure and preparedness are strong. Visitors should remain vigilant against petty theft and scams in crowded areas. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Kobe should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Kawasaki-cho as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kobe?
- fake religious donations
- Japan Rail Pass scams
- photo scams targeting tourists at popular sites
How does Kobe compare with other places in Japan?
Kobe ranks #9 of 9 Japan destinations we've assessed, scoring 93/100. See the Japan safety overview for the full list.
How is this Kobe 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: kobe.json (CC BY 4.0).