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 Kumamoto safe? 🇯🇵
Japan · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Kumamoto scores 92/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Kumamoto is safe for visitors, though recent earthquake activity requires heightened vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kumamoto 🇯🇵
Japan · Assessed 29 July 2026
92
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~97% of countries
What drives this score
Crime93/100GoodCrime index 22.2 / 100
Sentiment88/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories97Good
Stability87Good
Health82Good
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; incidents are limited to isolated street altercations in downtown nightlife zones after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs mainly in crowded transport hubs such as Kumamoto Station and the AEON Mall, especially during rush hour
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 feel safe walking during daylight, but many express anxiety about aftershocks and disrupted services in the city centre.
Yes — Kumamoto is safe for visitors, though recent earthquake activity requires heightened vigilance.
Kumamoto’s safety profile is excellent: homicide rate 0.2 per 100k, terrorism deaths 0, and a composite index of 93/100 mark it as one of the world’s safest cities. Official advisories urge normal precautions, but the July 28, 2026 magnitude‑7.1 quake caused injuries, building collapses and transport disruptions, especially in central districts.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused building collapses, fires and at least two fatalities; transport and airport services suspended— Reuters
- Jul 2026Tsunami advisory issued for Ariake and Yatsushiro seas after the quake; no destructive waves recorded— Japan Meteorological Agency
- Jul 2026Reports of fake religious donation scams targeting tourists near evacuation centres— The Independent
- Jul 2026Photo‑shoot extortion attempts at Kumamoto Castle, with scammers demanding payment for ‘private’ shots— SCMP
Common scams
- fake religious donations
- photo‑shoot extortion at Kumamoto Castle
- counterfeit JR Pass resale scams
Full briefing
Kumamoto remains one of Japan’s safest cities, with a homicide rate of 0.2 per 100 k and no recorded terrorism deaths, giving it a composite safety score of 93/100. The recent magnitude‑7.1 earthquake on 28 July 2026 caused injuries, building collapses and a temporary tsunami advisory, and it disrupted flights, trains and road traffic, especially in the central wards surrounding Kumamoto Station and the AEON Mall. Official Canadian and UK advisories now urge travelers to “exercise normal security precautions” while monitoring aftershock alerts.
For visitors, the primary safety concerns are not violent crime but the aftershocks that continue to rattle the region and the occasional opportunistic scams that have emerged in evacuation centres. Pickpocketing is moderate, concentrated in busy transport nodes such as Kumamoto Station and the AEON Mall during peak hours; keeping bags zipped and using a money belt mitigates this risk. Robbery and mugging are low‑level but have been reported in isolated nightlife districts after dark, so avoid poorly lit alleys and travel in groups when possible.
Scams targeting tourists include fake religious donation requests, photo‑shoot extortion at Kumamoto Castle and the resale of counterfeit Japan Rail Passes. The most reliable protection is to verify any donation or photo‑session request with venue staff, and to purchase rail passes only from official counters or authorized vendors.
Practical safety tips: register with your embassy, keep a printed copy of emergency numbers (110 for police, 119 for fire/ambulance), and follow local instructions from police boxes (kōban) and the Japan Meteorological Agency. Stay away from damaged structures, use designated evacuation routes, and keep a charged mobile phone with local emergency apps installed. By staying alert to aftershock warnings and avoiding the immediate quake‑affected zones, travelers can enjoy Kumamoto’s historic sites and natural scenery with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Kumamoto districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kumamoto safety map.
Kumamoto Airport vicinityavoidfrequent flight cancellations and disrupted ground transport; stay away from airport perimeter
Uto coastal zoneavoidtsunami advisory zone and reported structural damage; do not enter
Kumamoto Station areacautionhigh foot traffic and ongoing aftershocks; stay alert, avoid large gatherings after dark
Higo‑ku (west ward)cautionsome older buildings still under inspection; monitor local alerts
Kumamoto Castle districtsaferwell‑patrolled, major police presence, minimal damage reported
Shin-Kumamoto (new city center)safernew infrastructure, active emergency services, normal activity resuming
Kita‑ku (north ward)saferquiet residential area, low incident reports
Aso caldera outskirtssaferoutside immediate quake epicenter, stable conditions, but check gas alerts before hiking
07 · After Dark
Is Kumamoto 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; incidents are limited to isolated street altercations in downtown nightlife zones after dark
After dark, be most careful around Kumamoto Airport vicinity, Uto coastal zone, Kumamoto Station area, Higo‑ku (west ward). 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 Kumamoto's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight92
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight92
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight91
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight92
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight90
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight92
09 · Questions
Kumamoto safety FAQ
Is Kumamoto safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Kumamoto is safe for visitors, though recent earthquake activity requires heightened vigilance. Kumamoto’s safety profile is excellent: homicide rate 0.2 per 100k, terrorism deaths 0, and a composite index of 93/100 mark it as one of the world’s safest cities. Official advisories urge normal precautions, but the July 28, 2026 magnitude‑7.1 quake caused injuries, building collapses and transport disruptions, especially in central districts. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Kumamoto should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Kumamoto Airport vicinity, Uto coastal zone as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kumamoto?
- fake religious donations
- photo‑shoot extortion at Kumamoto Castle
- counterfeit JR Pass resale scams
How does Kumamoto compare with other places in Japan?
Kumamoto ranks #9 of 9 Japan destinations we've assessed, scoring 92/100. See the Japan safety overview for the full list.
How is this Kumamoto safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ 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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