Exercise Normal Precautions
“Reissued after periodic review without changes. Exercise normal precautions in Japan.”
Updated Thu, 15 May 2025
Full advisory →Is Tokyo safe? 🇯🇵
Japan · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Tokyo scores 87/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Tokyo remains one of the world's safest major cities for visitors, with extremely low violent crime and excellent infrastructure, though natural hazards and nightlife-district scams require awareness. The main risks for visitors are tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
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 2026-07-09T14:44:28Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Japan: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-16T12:53:48.9258584-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
0.2 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
98
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging or armed robbery against visitors is extremely rare; a July 2026 arrest of a 'Tokuryu' group planner shows organized crime exists but plots are intercepted.
Pickpocketing
LowPickpocketing is uncommon overall but rises in packed rush-hour trains, Shibuya Crossing crowds, and nightlife districts — keep bags zipped and in front.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Yes — Tokyo remains one of the world's safest major cities for visitors, with extremely low violent crime and excellent infrastructure, though natural hazards and nightlife-district scams require awareness.
Tokyo's safety data is exceptional: a homicide rate of 0.2 per 100k, 82% of people feel safe walking alone at night, and government advisories sit at the lowest level. The real risks are natural — extreme summer heat, typhoons, and frequent earthquakes — plus a concentrated set of tourist-targeted scams in nightlife zones like Kabukicho and Roppongi. Petty theft is rare but ticks up in crowded transit and entertainment districts.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Tokyo Police arrested a suspected robbery planner linked to the 'Tokuryu' organized-crime group, indicating active but monitored gang activity.— nippon.com
- Jul 2026A man was detained for allegedly planning an indiscriminate killing in Tokyo; plot was foiled before execution.— The Japan Times
- Jul 2026Two large protests (27,000+ and thousands) gathered in front of the National Diet against government defense spending and PM Takaichi; peaceful but disruptive.— Mainichi / Caliber.Az
- Jul 2026Police dismantled an illegal poker operation tied to organized crime in Tokyo, highlighting ongoing yakuza presence in nightlife areas.— GGB Magazine
Common scams
- Drink-spiking and exorbitant bills in Kabukicho/Roppongi back-street bars
- Touts luring tourists into overpriced establishments (illegal but persistent)
- Fake monk donation requests in tourist areas like Asakusa
- Japan Rail Pass resale scams and foreigner-price menus in nightlife venues
Full briefing
END_SAFET
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Tokyo districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Tokyo safety map.
Minami-Senju / San'ya (Arakawa)avoidFormer day-laborer slum with high homeless concentration; cheap hostels attract backpackers but hygiene is poor and sexual harassment risk is higher, especially for solo women.
Ikebukuro (Toshima)cautionHuge transport hub with shopping and nightlife; safe by day, but north side (near Love Hotel district) sees more touts and scams after dark.
Roppongi (Minato)cautionInternational nightlife zone; bars/clubs target foreigners with overcharging, drink-spiking, and aggressive touts — avoid back-street venues.
Kabukicho (Shinjuku)cautionTokyo's largest red-light district; neon-lit and heavily policed but rife with clip-joints, touts, and drink-spiking — never follow street recruiters.
ShibuyasaferMajor tourist hub with constant crowds, heavy policing, and excellent English signage; safe day and night.
Ginza (Chuo)saferUpscale shopping district with very low crime, wide streets, and high-end hotels; extremely secure for visitors.
Asakusa (Taito)saferHistoric temple area popular with tourists; safe but watch for pickpockets in dense crowds around Senso-ji and fake-monk donation scams.
Akihabara (Chiyoda)saferElectronics and anime district; busy but well-patrolled, low violent crime, occasional touts for maid cafes.
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).
Mugging or armed robbery against visitors is extremely rare; a July 2026 arrest of a 'Tokuryu' group planner shows organized crime exists but plots are intercepted.
After dark, be most careful around Minami-Senju / San'ya (Arakawa), Ikebukuro (Toshima), Roppongi (Minato), Kabukicho (Shinjuku). 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 Tokyo's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight87
Solo, nightlife-focusedCrime +32% weight87
Family with kidsCrime +15% weight · Health & Air +12% weight86
Travellers 65+Crime +9% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight86
09 · Questions
Tokyo safety FAQ
Is Tokyo safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Tokyo remains one of the world's safest major cities for visitors, with extremely low violent crime and excellent infrastructure, though natural hazards and nightlife-district scams require awareness. Tokyo's safety data is exceptional: a homicide rate of 0.2 per 100k, 82% of people feel safe walking alone at night, and government advisories sit at the lowest level. The real risks are natural — extreme summer heat, typhoons, and frequent earthquakes — plus a concentrated set of tourist-targeted scams in nightlife zones like Kabukicho and Roppongi. Petty theft is rare but ticks up in crowded transit and entertainment districts. (Assessed 23 July 2026.)
Which areas of Tokyo should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Minami-Senju / San'ya (Arakawa) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Tokyo?
- Drink-spiking and exorbitant bills in Kabukicho/Roppongi back-street bars
- Touts luring tourists into overpriced establishments (illegal but persistent)
- Fake monk donation requests in tourist areas like Asakusa
- Japan Rail Pass resale scams and foreigner-price menus in nightlife venues
How does Tokyo compare with other places in Japan?
Tokyo scores 87/100 — see the Japan safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Tokyo 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 75% of the weight, field research 25%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Japan safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: tokyo.json (CC BY 4.0).