Is Tokyo Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Tokyo is an incredibly safe city for solo female travelers. The city has low crime rates and a respectful culture, with the locals demonstrating courteous behavior. Public transport is extremely reliable, including during the night hours. There is a strong police presence and well-lit streets, enhancing the overall safety. However, as in any large city it's always important to stay aware of your surroundings and not leave belongings unattended.

Safety rating

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How safe is Tokyo?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Very safe

Tokyo is generally a very safe city, even for solo female travelers walking alone at night. Public spaces remain active and well-lit and street crime is extremely low. The public transport system is reliable and the locals are helpful if you need assistance. Speaking some basic Japanese or having a translation app can ease your navigation around the city.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Tokyo has an extensive network of public transportation that includes trains, subways, buses, and taxis, which have a high level of safety. It is well-regulated, monitored, clean, punctual and reliable. The crime rate is very low and rare incidents of pickpocketing and harassment can occur but they are far below the global average. Conductors and staff are very helpful and attentive to passenger needs, and the majority of routes and signs are in English, easing communication. Stay aware of your belongings and your surroundings, particularly during peak hours when the trains can become very crowded.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Very low

Tokyo, is renowned for its respectfulness and order, and as such, street harassment incidents are very minimal. Many women report feeling safe even when walking alone at night. This doesn’t mean there are zero incidents, but they are not as common, especially compared to other cities worldwide. Always stay vigilant but typically, you can expect a peaceful experience.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Very low

Tokyo is considered one of the safest cities in the world, even for solo female travelers. Petty crimes such as theft or pickpocketing are very rare. The local population is generally trustworthy and helpful to tourists. However, it is still advisable to remain cautious, especially in crowded places and at nighttime.

Is Tokyo worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 32 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.6/5

Food

4.5/5

Budget-friendly

3.2/5
Mavis

Mavis

United States

Solo travel

1.Safety: I stayed in Tokyo metropolitan area for most of the time so I feel completely safe 2. Travel: I bought a Suica and saved it on my apple wallet for the subway which works fine, but dir a US resident, pls be aware that they only take Amex card, chase cards was not accepted, not sure why… as for the maps and stops, as a Chinese, I struggled reading the map in either Chinese/Japanese character or English bc I felt like either way only helped me a little lol. Maybe bc my short term memory is bad. 3. Food: I hate to go to those internet famous restaurants so I found a few local ones with good reviews. But I know they are not really local local bc I’m in Tokyo. But the idea is, don’t waste your time waiting in lines for those famous ones. 4. Interesting places: I went to a lot of shrines bc I want to collect the stamps, if you like to take pics, those are good places with less ppl. Overall, Tokyo is a great place to solo female to travel, but pls avoid Aug bc it’s waaayyyy to hot

Posted: October 25, 2024
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Jenny

Jenny

Taiwan

Solo travel

Tokyo is a place very safe, good food and all experience is very nice and elegant. The whole Japan is good. Very good for people to travel alone. It’s a little expensive, but you still can find nice and cheap food.

Posted: September 1, 2024
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Solo travel

Despite Japan being known as a safe country, I travelled alone at a very young age and I was not sure if it was still as safe as a woman. Because I missed the last train/bus to Tokyo, I slept at the airport for one night but it was very safe as others were sleeping there too. Although the chair felt a bit uncomfortable. To avoid that, I recommend figuring out how to get to the central city beforehand and exchange some money and figure out if you want to get a sim card. Make a list of these thinggs as soon as you land to avoid complications and smooth travel. Also check if your card works in the international ATMs or call your bank

Posted: August 28, 2024
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Solo travel

Nice city, safe and clean, many toilets and great experience in capsule hotel. The subways are easy to use and not so expensive with the 3 days pass (only for foreigners). The Shybuya crossing street wath nice to see.

Posted: August 23, 2024
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Family travel

Went with my family to Tokyo while I was a teenager. The people were eager to help despite the language barrier. Felt pretty safe but cannot speak for solo women. The city was lovely and I would love to visit again.

Posted: August 16, 2024Experienced: June, 2010
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Family travel

I had a wonderful trip to Tokyo with my family. The city is incredibly safe and fun. Our day started with a delicious curry in Hiroo, followed by a visit to the new museum in Azabudai. We then enjoyed a delightful dinner in Harajuku before heading home.

Posted: July 10, 2024
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Solo travel

Traveling to the other side of the country doesn't seem to be a common or daily activity most people do frequently, so feeling overwhelmed about the cultural shock, secure information, activities, safety and other aspects related to trips is understandable. Add up the fact of solo traveling to a country where your native language is not spoken at all. How scary! Isn't it? No worries...I gotcha. A few years ago I did my first solo trip from South America to Japan. I didn't know what to expect and how things were going there; open to surprises but lucky at the same time. For solo trips be sure to have an internet connection, it's gonna become your BBF during those times. In Tokyo, I got a little device which provides WiFi connection to your mobile, but there may be other options for internet connection. Tokyo is an expensive city but you can save some money by getting food from convenience stores like 7/11 and so. I got food for my breakfast and dinner, so I could afford to pay lunch when exploring the city. In comparison with other hostels, japanese hostels are amazing 10/10. Safety is the hit! You will never feel unsafe and your things will be secure. Culture impacts so well that when coming back to Latin America, I got my "mind chip" changed to be ok on going around with being careful for my safe as in Tokyo you will feel extremely secure. Biking is a to-do thing for your activities there. Renting is easy as you just show your passport in the rent offices, and pay the fee for day or more time if available. Very affordable. Exploring the city on bike during the day and at night is unbelievable. Finally, explore as many things you can from the culture. Touristic places are available everywhere and you may need to prioritize where to go.

Posted: July 7, 2024
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Solo travel

If there’s one thing women who travel to tokyo should know is the culture of men approaching women near stations and busy streets. They will come up to you and ask you to sleep with them, and I know this can be very flustering when this happens, I really recommend to just grumble something in a different language and to keep walking. Other than that I felt pretty safe overall, I stayed in toshima. It was uncomfortable to see in real time how many underage girls were promoting their maid cafe’s and seeing middle aged men stop to talk to them.

Posted: July 6, 2024
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Solo travel

Tokyo was a city where I felt entirely safe as a female traveller. Everywhere you go there is a wide variety of activities to partake in and foods to eat- it is very hard to find a bad restaurant!

Posted: June 21, 2024
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Jenny

Jenny

Germany

Couple travel

I felt very safe, there was plenty to do, cheap food everywhere (also options to splurge). Lots of fun shopping opportunities (Definitely check out Mega Don Quijote in either Shibuya or Shinjuku). Huge, tranquil parks in the middle of the city.

Posted: June 3, 2024Experienced: September, 2023
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Is Tokyo safe for women?

Safety index

4.7 /5

Based on 11 local experiences

Crime index

1 /5

Based on 11 local experiences

As a local Japanese living in Japan more than 20yrs, I never felt Japan is unsafe. I sometimes run at night around 10-11pm after my work, but no one cares. However, only one place I can warn you, stay away Shinjuku station east exist late at night. It’s the “hit up” point for guys who wants to get a girl for one night. If you walk around there alone around that area, you might be annoyed by those guys

Posted: November 6, 2024
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girl_in_tokyo

girl_in_tokyo

In general, Japan is quite safe for single female travelers. It’s fine to walk alone at night, it’s safe to go places alone, and most of the time you won’t be bothered by anyone. However, as everyone knows, Tokyo is notorious for sexual harassment and groping on the commuter trains - chikan, as they are called. If you ride the trains between 7am-9am, or 5pm to 7pm, keep your wits about you and try to stand near other women. Shouting at them is effective, as they do not want to be caught and they are intimidated by assertive women, so have your resting bitch face on. Also watch out in public restrooms in parks, particularly at night, as there are peepers. I have also experienced peeping at the beach (taking photos) and groping/sexual comments in crowded areas where there are a lot of people out drinking: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi. I would not recommend staying anywhere around Kabukicho in Shinjuku - for some reason they are touting it as a good place to stay, as it is very central and the area has been rebuild with some nice hotels and restaurants. However, it is still a crime center (pick pockets, drugs, yakuza bars, sex clubs) and I know women who have been attacked there or followed. Personally I avoid it at night unless I’m with a group of people. It’s better to stay in Asakusa, Ginza, or other central business area. Anywhere in the outskirts will also be fine, and generally it’s fine to walk from the station to your hotel at night. But as in any place you would go, stay alert.

Posted: September 16, 2024
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Meet locals in Tokyo

Shu

Shu

About Me

I’m Shu. I love art and learn languages!

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Audham

Audham

About Me

I'm Estelle, originally from Bordeaux, France. I moved to Japan and I've been living in Tokyo for the past 20 years. I love to travel across Asia (I regularly visit Okinawa and Vietnam) and sometimes go back to France to see my family. My favorite city is Hanoï and my dream destination is Mongolia. I love and know Tokyo very very well, and always enjoy showing new people around.

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Stay with locals in Tokyo

Shu

Shu

Tokyo

Can host for:

2 days

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I’m Shu. I love art and learn languages!

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Chris

Chris

Tokyo

Can host for:

2 days

About me

I’m an avid traveler but new to traveling solo.

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Upcoming visitors to Tokyo

Ashley

Ashley

About Me

Hi there! 👋 New to solo travel, and loving it so far!

Speaking

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Safety in Japan