Is Japan Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Japan is generally very safe for solo female travelers. The crime rate is relatively low and the locals are respectful and helpful. Safety measures are readily available in public transportation and accommodations. However, always remain vigilant especially in crowded areas. The culture respects personal space which further enhances your feeling of safety.

Safety rating

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How safe is Japan?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Very safe

Japan, as a whole, is considered to be extremely safe at night. It is not uncommon to see people, including women, walking alone late at night. Street crime rate is relatively low and most areas are well-lit and populated even in the evening hours. Public transport is reliable and operates late into the night. However, being vigilant and aware of your surroundings is always a good idea. Exercise the same caution as you would in any other urban areas worldwide.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in Japan is considered very safe. It is largely reliable, punctual, and security is well maintained. Nighttime services are also safe. Travelers need to respect etiquette and manners on public transportation, and while instances of harassment might occur, they are not common. Instances of theft or crime are very rare. Security cameras and staff are also present. The culture in Japan places a high emphasis on public safety and rule-following, making the public transportation system a safe option for travel.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Very low

Japan, overall, is known for its safety and hospitality. Reports of street harassment, especially for foreign women traveling alone, are relatively low. Japanese culture emphasizes respect for personal space and public decorum, and this often translates into a comfortable and non-threatening environment for solo travellers. Of course, like in any country, exceptions do occur. Nonetheless, Japan stands out as one of the international destinations where street harassment seldom becomes a pressing issue for solo female travelers.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Very low

Japan is renowned for its order and safety. Instances of minor crimes, such as theft or pickpocketing, are incredibly rare, especially in heavily populated areas and tourist hotspots. The local population is very respectful of personal property, and lost items are frequently returned. However, it's always important to stay aware and take general common-sense precautions. The main concern can be scams, where individuals may try to trick or overcharge tourists, especially in nightlife areas.

Is Japan worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 132 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.8/5

Safety

4.8/5

Food

4.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.4/5
Lucie

Lucie

France

Japan, Family travel

Japan was actually my best travel experience ! Everything was amazing. I came there two weeks in family and we visited Tokyo with Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku and all the maid coffee advertising on the street.. And the Nakano Brodway which is a place where you can get anime merch at really affordable prices. We also visited a lot of shrines and parcs and shops or coffee like the cinnamonroll coffee. That was pretty cool. We went at Sanrio Puroland ( an Hello Kitty and friends parc) for my sixteenth birthday, that was absolutely cutie as fuck. Like, That was my best birthday ever. Then, we went in a traditional japanese house with onsen in Hakone, there, I saw the mount Fuji. We also visited Nara with the deer everywhere and Osaka, know for street food and cosplay. And finally, we took the Shinkansen to go to Kyoto, where we visited Fushimi Inari Taisha's shrine, the most popular one with the red torii everywhere. We saw many other things, taste a lot of food and experience so many amazing stuff that it would be too long to write everything here but I can't wait to come back for my studies in three years !

Posted: May 31, 2025Experienced: October, 2023
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Towa

Towa

United States

Tokyo, Group travel

Tokyo was amazing!! A friend and I visited to celebrate graduation, and mostly stayed with my family as well as a couple nights in cheap hotels. As a big thrifting + vintage goods enthusiast, Shimo-Kitazawa was definitely my favorite neighborhood. My only two warnings would be to 1) be aware that upskirting is a problem (but mostly not a concern for foreigners) and 2) it’s easy to get separated on the trains during rush hour. Otherwise, Tokyo is incredibly safe and easy to get around, even as someone whose Japanese isn’t perfect.

Posted: May 27, 2025
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Sofia

Sofia

Russia

Tokyo, Group travel

Safety is on maximum There are lots of things to see, to do, to visit, in Japan they have a really good railway system, so it's easy to visit other smaller cities from Tokyo just by metro. Talking about food, it's pretty cheap, but there are lots of tasty spots. It's better to check ticktock recommendations, but everything with matcha is a must-have. However, it was uneasy to find more or less healthy food, thank God I brought buckwheat with me from Russia. Personally, I spent about 1500 for 2 weeks, including rent (4 people in one apartment), shopping, and everything else but airplane tickets.

Posted: May 25, 2025Experienced: October, 2024
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Japan, Solo travel

I feel safe when I walk in the street, and food is always good, if you choose BnB , try to cook, If you like culture, you can check the local culture centre, each time when I am there, I can join one or two events

Posted: May 25, 2025
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Tokyo, Solo travel

Overall I felt save. There are so many places to visit I was tired everyday from walking 20k+ steps everyday. Kind of regretting now that I only went for one week. Definitely take as least think as you can because there are so many cute souvenirs, yummy snacks and cute clothes!!

Posted: May 25, 2025
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Linda

Linda

Taiwan

Kyoto, Group travel

I was traveling Kyoto with my friends(all girls 💅). Kyoto gave me super safe, super beautiful, super chill atmosphere. The hostel room are big, convenient to reach, big bath tub that you can completely rest. The monuments were preserved, kimono experience was great. macha, sushi,ramen, and yakiniku were all tasty🤤. I want to travel again and again!

Posted: May 21, 2025Experienced: December, 2019
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Is Japan safe for women?

Safety index

4.9 /5

Based on 66 local experiences

Crime index

1.3 /5

Based on 66 local experiences

Ito

As someone who is constantly looking over her shoulder I felt completely safe walking the streets after dark. The locals were extremely kind and quick to help in any situation. I fainted from dehydration and woke to a group of construction workers holding umbrellas over me and propping my head up with a jacket they had folded. Not an ounce of ulterior motive or maliciousness

Posted: June 2, 2025
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Hachioji

I feel so much safer here than I did in America or Europe. I get home late at night and don't feel uncomfortable. There are taxis available around the station, but I'll just walk home if the weather is good. I've gone out for a Ladies Night more than once and we've all had a blast. No one bothers us.

Posted: May 29, 2025
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Safety in Japan