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 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 27 September 2026
92
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~97% of countries
What drives this score
Crime86/100GoodCrime index 22.2 / 100
Sentiment86/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories97Good
Stability87Good
Health87Good
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 2026-09-25T11:47:52.1605409-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
9.7M residents
39
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; isolated incidents like the June ¥8 million street robbery involve suspects quickly arrested and do not reflect visitor risk.
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
86/100
Reported feel82Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers consistently report feeling safe in Tokyo, with lost wallets often returned and convenience stores leaving phones unattended on tables common — not a guarantee, but a cultural signal of low everyday theft risk.
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, terrorism deaths are zero, and visitors report feeling safe walking alone after dark at 81.7%. The primary risks for tourists are pickpocketing in crowded areas and scams targeting visitors in nightlife districts, while natural hazards like earthquakes and typhoons require situational awareness.
Recent developments
- Aug 202612-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo on Aug 13 found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama— Japan Today
- Aug 2026Two Chilean men arrested over theft of watches worth ¥200 million in Tokyo— Japan Today
- Sep 2026Typhoon No. 26 was south of Okinawa at noon JST on September 25, with continued above-normal earthquake activity reported by JMA— travelism.jp
- Aug 2026U.S. Embassy Tokyo issued a Demonstration Alert regarding protests related to Vladimir Putin's visit to disputed Pacific islands— U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan (.gov)
Common scams
- Kabukicho bar bill inflation
- fake monk donation requests
- Narita taxi overcharging
- dating-app invite scams leading to fraud
Full briefing
Tokyo is exceptionally safe for travelers, with violent crime so rare that most visitors never need to consider personal security the way they might in other large cities. The homicide rate of 0.2 per 100k and zero terrorism deaths underscore this, while 81.7% of residents report feeling safe walking alone after dark. However, safety in Tokyo is not absolute — petty crime and scams do occur, primarily in high-traffic tourist and nightlife areas. Pickpocketing is a moderate risk at spots like Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku Station, and during festivals; keeping bags zipped and strapped is essential. Scams targeting visitors include inflated bar bills in Kabukicho, fake monk donation requests, Narita taxi overcharging, and dating-app lures that lead to fraud — all avoidable with vigilance and using official transport queues.
Recent incidents reinforce both the safety and the need for awareness. In August 2026, a 12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo was found safe after visiting anime sites in Yokohama, highlighting the effectiveness of local response systems. Also in August, two Chilean men were arrested for a ¥200 million watch theft, showing that while major thefts occur, they are investigated swiftly. Natural hazards remain the most significant concern: Typhoon No. 26 was active near Okinawa in late September 2026, and Japan experiences frequent seismic activity, with 50 quakes ≥M4.5 in the past year. Travelers should download the NHK World Japan and Safety Tips apps for real-time alerts and always follow instructions from staff during emergencies — Japanese emergency response is world-class.
Ultimately, Tokyo rewards cautious optimism. Violent threats are minimal, and the culture of honesty (e.g., lost wallets frequently returned) creates a baseline of trust. Focus your preparation on securing belongings in crowds, verifying taxi fares, avoiding drink spiking in nightlife zones, and staying informed about weather and seismic risks. With these precautions, visitors can enjoy Tokyo’s remarkable safety and hospitality with confidence.
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; exercise caution in Kabukicho after dark due to bar scams and touts targeting tourists.
RoppongicautionNightlife area with drink-spiking and overcharging risks; avoid walking alone late at night and monitor drink preparation.
IkebukurocautionSafe by day; increased petty theft and scam reports around station east exit and Sunshine City area after dark.
ShibuyasaferVery safe overall; pickpocketing risk in crowded crossing and station areas, especially at night.
AsakusasaferSafe and tourist-friendly; low crime, but watch for bag-snatching during festivals and crowded temple visits.
GinzasaferUpscale and secure; minimal crime risk, standard vigilance advised for valuables in high-end retail areas.
AkihabarasaferSafe for electronics and anime tourism; be alert for overcharging scams in maid cafes and ticket resellers near station.
OdaibasaferVery safe waterfront district; low crime, but susceptible to typhoon-related flooding and transport disruptions in September.
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; isolated incidents like the June ¥8 million street robbery involve suspects quickly arrested and do not reflect visitor risk.
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, terrorism deaths are zero, and visitors report feeling safe walking alone after dark at 81.7%. The primary risks for tourists are pickpocketing in crowded areas and scams targeting visitors in nightlife districts, while natural hazards like earthquakes and typhoons require situational awareness. (Assessed 27 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 bill inflation
- fake monk donation requests
- Narita taxi overcharging
- dating-app invite scams leading to fraud
How does Tokyo compare with other places in Japan?
Tokyo ranks #7 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 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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