Exercise Normal Precautions
“Exercise normal precautionin Japan. U.S.”
Updated Thu, 15 May 2025
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Is Tokyo safe? 🇯🇵
Japan · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Tokyo scores 92/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Tokyo remains one of the world's safest major cities for travelers, with violent crime extremely rare and risks centered on petty scams and natural hazards. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Tokyo 🇯🇵
Japan · Assessed 6 September 2026
92
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~97% of countries
What drives this score
Crime86/100GoodCrime index 22.2 / 100
Sentiment89/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability87Good
Health89Good
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 2026-08-28T15:22:35Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Japan: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-09-03T13:07:37.011581-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
9.7M residents
53
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.2 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
100
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery and mugging are rare; the June ¥8 million street robbery was an isolated incident involving a suspect later arrested.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded zones like Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku Station, and festival areas; keep valuables secure.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
89/100
Reported feel90Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers consistently report feeling safe walking alone at night and leaving belongings unattended in cafes, reflecting high trust in public safety and low street crime.
Yes — Tokyo remains one of the world's safest major cities for travelers, with violent crime extremely rare and risks centered on petty scams and natural hazards.
Tokyo's safety profile is exceptional: homicide rate is 0.2 per 100k, violent crime against tourists is rare, and official advisories from the U.S., UK, and Canada all recommend only normal precautions. While pickpocketing occurs in crowded areas like Shibuya Crossing and train stations during rush hour, it is low by global standards. The primary concerns for visitors are scams targeting tourists in nightlife districts and ongoing seismic and flood risks, though no active disasters are currently impacting the city.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026Suspect arrested over ¥8 million street robbery in Tokyo in June— Japan Today
- Aug 2026Two arrested over luxury watch smash-and-grab in Tokyo; theft took only six seconds— The Japan Times / NHK WORLD-JAPAN
- Aug 202612-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama— SoraNews24
Common scams
- Kabukicho bar overcharging and drink spiking
- Fake monk donation scams near temples
- ATM skimming in tourist areas
- Narita taxi overcharging
- Dating app invite scams leading to fraud
Full briefing
Tokyo is exceptionally safe for travelers, with violent crime occurring at levels far below global averages. The city’s homicide rate of 0.2 per 100,000 people is among the lowest in the world, and muggings or armed assaults targeting tourists are exceedingly rare. Official advisories from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada all maintain the lowest risk level — exercising only normal precautions — reflecting confidence in Japan’s stable governance, low terrorism risk, and effective law enforcement. While no place is risk-free, Tokyo’s dangers for visitors are not typical street crime but rather situational scams and environmental hazards.
The most common risks travelers face involve petty scams in high-traffic tourist and nightlife areas. In districts like Kabukicho (Shinjuku) and Roppongi, repo
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Tokyo districts for visitors: 5 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Tokyo safety map.
ShinjukucautionGenerally safe but crowded; watch for pickpocketing and nightlife scams in Kabukicho area after dark.
RoppongicautionNightlife area with reports of drink spiking and overpriced bar bills; avoid accepting drinks from strangers.
IkebukurocautionMajor transit hub; safe during day, but exercise caution at night due to occasional touts and scams near station exits.
ShibuyasaferPopular and well-patrolled; safe day and night, but remain alert in crowds at Scramble Crossing.
GinzasaferUpscale, low-crime district with strong police presence; ideal for shopping and dining.
AsakusasaferHistoric area with low violent crime; be mindful of bag snatching during festival crowds.
AkihabarasaferElectronics and anime hub; safe for visitors, but guard against overcharging in niche shops.
OdaibasaferWaterfront leisure zone with low crime; well-lit and patrolled, ideal for families and evening walks.
07 · After Dark
Is Tokyo safe at night?
82% of people in Japan say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Armed robbery and mugging are rare; the June ¥8 million street robbery was an isolated incident involving a suspect later arrested.
After dark, be most careful around Shinjuku, Roppongi, Ikebukuro. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Tokyo safety FAQ
Is Tokyo safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Tokyo remains one of the world's safest major cities for travelers, with violent crime extremely rare and risks centered on petty scams and natural hazards. Tokyo's safety profile is exceptional: homicide rate is 0.2 per 100k, violent crime against tourists is rare, and official advisories from the U.S., UK, and Canada all recommend only normal precautions. While pickpocketing occurs in crowded areas like Shibuya Crossing and train stations during rush hour, it is low by global standards. The primary concerns for visitors are scams targeting tourists in nightlife districts and ongoing seismic and flood risks, though no active disasters are currently impacting the city. (Assessed 6 September 2026.)
Which areas of Tokyo should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Tokyo?
- Kabukicho bar overcharging and drink spiking
- Fake monk donation scams near temples
- ATM skimming in tourist areas
- Narita taxi overcharging
How does Tokyo compare with other places in Japan?
Tokyo ranks #9 of 9 Japan destinations we've assessed, scoring 92/100. See the Japan safety overview for the full list.
How is this Tokyo safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ 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: tokyo.json (CC BY 4.0).