🇯🇵Travelling safely in Japan

The picture today

Japan is one of the lowest-crime countries in the world. The UNODC homicide rate is roughly 0.23 per 100,000 — among the lowest globally and an order of magnitude below most peer economies. The UK FCDO, US State Department, Smartraveller, travel.gc.ca, the German Auswärtiges Amt, and France Diplomatie all set Japan at their default tier of caution; none currently advise against travel anywhere on the archipelago.

The relevant risks for travellers are environmental and procedural rather than criminal. Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and registers around 1,500 felt earthquakes per year. Typhoon season (June through October) routinely closes the Tokyo and Osaka air corridors for 12 to 36 hours at a time. The country has 111 active volcanoes, 47 of which are continuously monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency. None of this should deter travel — Japanese infrastructure is the most earthquake- and typhoon-resilient on Earth — but it does shape what a competent traveller pays attention to.

The procedural piece is genuine: cash culture is still strong (though changing), the medical system is excellent but bills foreigners up front, and the public-transit etiquette is policed by social pressure not signs. The Field Manual’s earthquake guide covers the protocol that applies in Japan as much as anywhere; the country brief inside that guide is the most relevant section. The live Japan country page updates daily.

Getting in

Japan operates a generous visa-waiver programme. Citizens of 69 countries — including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, all EU member states, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong SAR — enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days for tourism. The full list is on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site; check it before travel since it changes on bilateral timelines.

At immigration, expect fingerprinting and a face photograph for non-Japanese nationals over 16. The process takes about a minute. You’ll be issued a landing card slip stuck in your passport; do not lose it — police can ask to see it during routine identity checks, and you need it on departure.

Stays beyond 90 days require a visa applied for at a Japanese embassy in your country of residence before travel; the system does not extend tourist admissions in-country. Working visas have separate categories and require employer sponsorship.

No vaccinations are required from any starting country. Routine adult immunisations (MMR, dTaP, polio, flu seasonally) are sufficient. Japan has had isolated cases of Japanese encephalitis (a mosquito-borne disease in rural rice-growing areas) but it is not a meaningful traveller risk for urban itineraries.

Customs: cash above ¥1,000,000 (roughly $6,500 USD) declared at entry. Strict prohibition on importing pseudoephedrine and codeine — common over-the-counter cold and cough medications in the US, UK, and Canada are controlled substances in Japan and travellers have been detained for bringing them in. Bring only the prescription medications you need, with a copy of the prescription, and check the Ministry of Health import allowance for any controlled medication before flying.

Regional risk map

Japan’s risk profile is uniformly low across the country; geographic variation is mostly about which natural-hazard story dominates. A regional read:

Tokyo and Greater Kantō

Tokyo is statistically one of the safest mega-cities in the world. The relevant Tokyo-specific considerations are seismic — the city sits on the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area which seismologists consider overdue for a major event — and typhoon-related (Tokyo Bay closes airports during direct hits). Within the city, the only neighbourhood with a meaningfully different texture is Kabukichō in Shinjuku, which is safe to walk through and unsafe to engage with the touts who try to pull you into bars (overcharging scams, occasional unwanted detentions over disputed bills).

Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara)

Same baseline as Tokyo. Osaka has a reputation for slightly higher property crime than the rest of Japan, by Japanese standards — meaning still extraordinarily low by global standards. Kyoto’s only real issue is over-tourism around Gion, Arashiyama, and Fushimi Inari, which has produced crowding-related (rather than safety-related) restrictions on certain alleys.

Hokkaido and Tohoku

Lowest population density, lowest crime, most reliable public transport for distances. Winter temperatures in Hokkaido routinely hit −15°C; avalanche risk in backcountry skiing zones (Niseko, Hakuba on the main island) is real and the Japan Avalanche Network publishes daily forecasts in Japanese and English. Tohoku was the region most affected by the 2011 magnitude-9.0 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami; the Fukushima exclusion zone has shrunk dramatically and most former evacuation areas are now open, but the radiation map (published monthly by the Ministry of the Environment) is worth a look if visiting near the former plant.

Kyushu and Okinawa

Active volcanic zone — Sakurajima in Kagoshima Bay erupts on most days (low-intensity ash plumes that sometimes ground regional flights), and Mount Aso on Kyushu has intermittent alert-level changes. Okinawa is statistically the safest prefecture and a different climate (subtropical year-round); typhoon exposure is highest here.

Coastal areas everywhere

Tsunami risk is a coastal-Japan consideration regardless of region. The 2011 Tōhoku event killed nearly 20,000 people, the overwhelming majority by tsunami rather than the earthquake itself. Every coastal town in Japan has signed evacuation routes; the rule encoded in JMA public guidance is the same as the international standard: any earthquake that lasts long enough to make standing difficult is a self-evacuation order regardless of any official alert. Move to high ground (target 30 m elevation or 3 km inland) immediately. The Field Manual covers this in depth.

Transport

The Shinkansen and JR network

Japan’s rail network is among the world’s safest and the Shinkansen has carried billions of passengers since 1964 with zero fatalities from train operations. For trips between cities of more than 250 km it’s nearly always faster (and now often cheaper) than flying, once airport time is counted.

The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is the headline tourist product — unlimited rides on most JR-operated trains for 7, 14, or 21 days. Since the October 2023 price increase the value proposition is narrower; for a round-trip Tokyo–Osaka–Hiroshima itinerary it still pays off, but for casual two-or-three-city trips, individual tickets bought through the SmartEX app are now often cheaper.

Buy your Suica or Pasmo IC card on arrival for tap-to-ride on every metro, bus, and local train, and tap-to-pay at convenience stores and most vending machines. The mobile Suica option on Apple Wallet (and iPhone-only Google Pay) means no physical card needed.

Tokyo and Osaka metros

Extraordinarily reliable, very crowded at rush hour. Two practical things:

• Quiet protocol. Phone calls on trains are not done. Voice volume should match the ambient murmur. Music must be inaudible from your headphones.
• Women-only carriages. Marked with pink signs at carriage doors during morning rush hours (typically 7:30–9:30) on most major Tokyo and Osaka lines. Optional for women, off-limits for men.

Driving

Japan drives on the left (like the UK / Australia / NZ). An International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention is required for driving on a foreign licence — UK, US, Canadian, Australian, NZ licences qualify; some countries (notably Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Taiwan) need an official Japanese translation of the licence instead, not an IDP. Get the IDP before you leave home; Japanese licensing offices do not issue them to foreign visitors.

Driving in cities is rarely worth it (parking is expensive, signage is in Japanese, the trains are better). Outside cities (Hokkaido, parts of Kyushu, Okinawa), driving is straightforward and recommended. The roads are well maintained and traffic is calm.

Domestic flights

Two large carriers (ANA, JAL) plus several LCCs (Peach, Jetstar Japan). Both major carriers have excellent safety records. Routes to Hokkaido, Okinawa, and Kyushu from Tokyo are time-competitive with the train.

Money & scams

Japan is still partially a cash culture, though card and contactless acceptance has improved dramatically since 2020. What works in 2026:

• IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) are accepted essentially everywhere small (vending machines, convenience stores, lockers, all transit). Top up with cash at any station.
• Credit cards work at hotels, mid- and upper-tier restaurants, department stores, chain convenience stores, and most attractions. Small ramen shops, traditional inns (ryokan), and rural businesses may still be cash-only.
• ATMs at 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post offices accept all major foreign cards. Standard bank ATMs often refuse them. Withdraw enough to last several days; you won’t see another working ATM in some rural areas.
• Tipping is not done in restaurants, taxis, hotels. Attempting to tip can be confusing and occasionally rejected. The exception is concierge service in international hotels and professional guides, where a small envelope (kokorozuke) is acceptable.

Scams targeting tourists are uncommon by global standards. The recurring issues:

1. Kabukichō tout overcharging. Touts in Shinjuku’s Kabukichō pull tourists into bars, then bills arrive at five to ten times the menu price with implicit threats over payment. Tokyo Metropolitan Police explicitly warn about this. Don’t enter any bar invited from the street; book recommended places by name through an app or hotel concierge.
2. Fake monks asking for donations in tourist areas (Asakusa, Kiyomizu-dera). Polite refusal is the norm.
3. “Free” Wi-Fi networks at Tokyo and Osaka stations that capture session tokens. Use a VPN or your home carrier’s roaming on public Wi-Fi.

Healthcare

Japanese healthcare is among the best in the world by every objective metric (life expectancy, infant mortality, surgical outcomes). Practical considerations for travellers:

• You pay up front. Foreign visitors are billed in cash at point of service and claim back from travel insurance. The bill is not catastrophic for routine care (a clinic consultation runs ¥3,000–10,000) but a serious incident requiring overnight admission is easily ¥500,000+. Travel insurance with at least ¥10 million medical evacuation cover is the right baseline.
• English-speaking care. JNTO maintains a multilingual hospital finder (jnto.go.jp/emergency). In Tokyo: St Luke’s International Hospital (Tsukiji), Tokyo Midtown Clinic. In Osaka: Osaka General Medical Center has English-fluent staff. Outside the major cities, plan to use a translation app or have hotel staff call ahead.
• Pharmacies (yakkyoku or doraggu sutoa) are widespread. Most basic medications (paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines) are available without prescription. Two warnings: (1) products marketed as the same brand internationally may have different ingredients in Japan; (2) some Japanese formulations are weaker than US/UK equivalents (paracetamol is typically 300 mg per tablet vs 500 mg).
• Emergency number: 119 for ambulance and fire (different from the 110 police line). Operators may speak limited English; the Tokyo Fire Department has a separate multilingual translation line callers can be transferred to.
• Earthquake-related injury is the biggest scenario travellers should mentally rehearse. Major hospitals run drills regularly and have been heavily reinforced; in any large event, go to the nearest hospital, not your phone.

Solo female travel

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world for solo female travel by violent-crime measures. The relevant considerations are texture rather than danger:

• Groping (chikan) on packed rush-hour trains is the one persistent problem and the reason women-only carriages exist. Tokyo Metro lines (Chiyoda, Yūrakuchō, Hibiya), Saikyo, Chūō Rapid, and the major Osaka lines all run pink-marked carriages during morning rush. Use them, especially in Tokyo. Police take reports seriously; if it happens, push the person’s hand away firmly, call chikan! loudly, and exit at the next station to report at the platform office.
• Late-night safety in cities is among the best in the world. Tokyo and Osaka are functionally safe to walk solo at any hour in any neighbourhood except Kabukichō. Smaller cities and rural areas are even safer.
• Onsen (hot springs) etiquette. Most are gender-segregated and require nudity. A few mixed-gender (konyoku) onsen exist in rural areas; check before booking.
• Capsule hotels increasingly have women-only floors; book those rather than mixed floors if comfort matters.

Family travel

Japan is a comfortable family-travel destination. Practical specifics:

• Stroller and accessibility. All Shinkansen and most metro stations now have lifts and barrier-free routes; the Tokyo Metro app marks them on every station map. Older stations (parts of Yokohama, Kyoto) still rely on stairs; check before travelling with a stroller.
• Children’s discounts. Most attractions have sliding scales (free under 6, half-price 6–11). The JR Pass is free for children under 6 not occupying a seat, half-price 6–11.
• Diapers and formula are universally available; major chains carry international brands. Hospital-grade equipment exists in all cities. Do bring any specialised infant medication.
• Restaurants are family-friendly except for some traditional establishments (specifically some sushi counters and high-end kaiseki). Family restaurants (famiresu) and chain noodle/curry shops welcome children.
• Earthquake drill awareness. Schools and hotels run regular drills; if you’re travelling with children, walk through the hotel’s evacuation route on arrival and explicitly tell children that the alarm is a drill if it goes off.

Season by season

March to early May

The cherry blossom (sakura) season. Late March in Tokyo and Kyoto, slightly later moving north. Crowded — book accommodation 4–6 months ahead. Weather mild, reliable.

Mid-May to June

Excellent shoulder. Comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, fresh greenery in temple gardens. The rainy season (tsuyu) starts in late June and lasts about a month — daily showers but generally short.

July to early September

Hot and humid, with typhoon season at peak from August through October. Tokyo and Osaka routinely exceed 35°C with high humidity; heatstroke hospitalisations spike each year. Train and air services suspend during direct typhoon hits but resume quickly. JMA publishes typhoon track forecasts in English; the Field Manual cone-of-uncertainty guide explains how to read them. The summer fireworks (hanabi) and festival (matsuri) season is the cultural payoff.

Mid-September to November

The recommended window after spring. Autumn foliage (kōyō) peaks in Kyoto and the alpine areas in mid-November. Typhoon risk tapers through September, gone by October. Comfortable temperatures.

December to February

Cold but dry. Tokyo winters are mild (typically 0–10°C); Hokkaido and the Japan Sea coast get heavy snow and excellent skiing (Niseko, Furano, Hakuba). New Year is the one Japanese holiday that functionally closes the country — many shops, restaurants, and family-run inns shut from December 30 through January 3. Plan around it.

Emergency contacts

• Police: 110
• Ambulance / fire: 119
• Coast guard / sea rescue: 118
• Japan Visitor Hotline: 050-3816-2787 (24/7, multilingual, run by JNTO — covers tourist information, accidents, lost property, and emergency translation).
• Embassies in Tokyo. US: +81 3 3224 5000, UK: +81 3 5211 1100, Canada: +81 3 5412 6200, Australia: +81 3 5232 4111. After-hours consular numbers are listed on each embassy site.
• Earthquake Early Warning. Issued automatically through Japanese mobile networks and on TVs, train station PA systems, and JMA’s app. The English-language version of the JMA app is the single most useful download a traveller can make on arrival.

One more time

Japan is statistically as safe as anywhere a leisure traveller will visit. The genuine risks are natural — earthquake, tsunami, typhoon, volcano — and Japanese institutions handle each of them better than almost anywhere else on earth. Download the JMA app, book Shinkansen seats with the SmartEX app, carry an IC card, get travel insurance with proper medical evacuation cover, and read the Field Manual’s earthquake guide. The live picture is on the Japan country page.