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

Make friends while traveling solo

Get the Travel Ladies app to meet other women, find travel buddies and stay with locals for free through hospitality exchange.
Download from App StoreDownload from Google Play
Get the Travel Ladies App

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 126 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.8/5

Safety

4.8/5

Food

4.6/5

Budget-friendly

3.4/5

Tokyo, Family travel

The safeties city in the world, super clean, the most delicious food. Talking about the food, we had experience different types but the only that stay in my heart is sandwich with eggs from 7/12 and I am planning on going back this autumn to taste them again

Posted: May 4, 2025Experienced: November, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Antoniya

Antoniya

Bulgaria

Okayama, Group travel

Okayama is a small but wonderful part of Japan. The city is a sister city to Plovdiv and I went there as a part of a cultural exchange programme. I had a host family which welcomed me very warmly. Japanese people are extremely kind and helpful, they are not very open with their emotions but you can gain their attachment with respect and kindness. I felt extremely safe but I was never by myself or out at night.

Posted: April 24, 2025Experienced: July, 2024
favorite_border 1
mode_comment 0
Valentina

Valentina

Italy

Japan, Solo travel

I took my first solo trip in March to Japan and I have never felt so safe! I visited a lot of cities including Tokyo, Kyoto, Nikko, Hakone, Kanazawa, Osaka and Hiroshima and I had a great time in each of them! I only recommend that if you want to see museums or very famous attractions such as Universal Studio and Studio Ghibli you have to book months in advance. The cost of living is very low and you can eat out for 5/10€ obviously it depends on what you are looking for. On this trip I met many kind people with whom I became friends and we spent time together it is always very nice to meet new people! I can't wait to take my next trip!!

Posted: April 11, 2025Experienced: February, 2025
favorite_border 2
mode_comment 0

Osaka, Solo travel

I could go on about Japan forever, but the jist of it is that I felt it was a safe haven. Never felt so comfortable and confident travelling solo anywhere else. The food is great, people are friendly and kind as long as you're respectful and show interest in their culture and way of life, and most importantly it is as safe as can be. Of course some caution is always to be taken in regard to your surroundings but for the most part I felt perfectly safe walking around all alone at night, going to the club by myself, and much more.

Posted: April 11, 2025Experienced: September, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Tina

Tina

Taiwan

Japan, Solo travel

I felt safe when I walked on the streets and mby because ppl thought I was Japanese. I didn't dare to stay out too late because I wasn't familiar with that area and lots of drunk people puked on the streets. But I met a local and we went for a pub crawl. I went back to my hostel until morning. I'd say it's a safe city 🩷

Posted: April 4, 2025Experienced: February, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Tina

Tina

Taiwan

Tokyo, Solo travel

It's a safe clean city with lots of visitors. Even though sometimes people don't speak English, they try their best to communicate or find the connection with you. I found it's a good city for female travellers

Posted: April 4, 2025Experienced: February, 2024
favorite_border 1
mode_comment 0
Mariafrancesca

Mariafrancesca

Japan

Kyoto, Solo travel

Kyoto is very safe for traveling alone, also for girls. I wasn’t scared of hanging around also during night time. I recommend to visit all the main temples and shrines in Kyoto because they are worth visiting. The food is amazing!!!

Posted: April 2, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Anastasia

Anastasia

France

Tokyo, Solo travel

Hii☀️ I was in Tokyo from 03/21 to 03/26 and I loved it! The accommodation is the most expensive I think, the rest was pretty cheap. The food is soo good and it's really practical to have stores open 24/7! There's a lot of things to do, I went to temples, disney sea, an onsen(or baths at least) and teamlab! Parks are great too !! Japanese people are the kindest! It was my first time traveling alone so I was scared but they honestly made each day so much better💞 I really recommend it, I will definitely go back again!!

Posted: March 30, 2025Experienced: February, 2025
favorite_border 1
mode_comment 0

Tokyo, Solo travel

Tokyo is a beautiful and big city. There is so much to see and you always feel like you dont have enough time because its so big. The food is inceredible and inexpensive. I stayed a bit outside the main city but everything is really accesible and not that expensive in my opinion.

Posted: March 16, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Kamakura, Solo travel

Kamakura is a beautiful city. It has a lot of Temples that you can go and visit. I highly suggest the Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku-jinja Shrine and the Sasuke inari Shrine. Beautiful places a little bit removed and not alot of people. You can easily go to Kamakura as a daytrip from tokyo but It would not hurt to spend two days in this beautiful city. There is so much to see.

Posted: March 16, 2025
favorite_border 1
mode_comment 0

Is Japan safe for women?

Safety index

4.9 /5

Based on 59 local experiences

Crime index

1.2 /5

Based on 59 local experiences

Japan

I think phenomenally safety. So Japanese people definitely don't worry about theft between their own citizens. But in the downtown, impudent guys love to pick up girls so please be careful and ignore them.

Posted: May 3, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Lulu

Lulu

Hachioji

people often joke that hachioji specifically is deemed as the part of tokyo that is set back a few decades because of its long history with yakuza(a crime syndicate), but the have almost completely died down and hachioji is pretty much just as safe as other areas in tokyo

Posted: April 26, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Meet locals in Japan

Lara

Lara

About Me

I graduated high school last year and am now traveling with a working holiday visa through Japan. I love cooking and baking and have been fortunately able to work in a kitchen and bakery for the last few months here in a traditional snowy village in Nagano. I am missing sports so I look forward to getting fit again now that I’m moving to Tokyo. After this year, I want to study medicine in Germany and become an oncologist later in life, but we’ll see where it takes me. I am a very open person that loves to meet new people, party and drink, but I also love my alone-time or chilling with a book or in a relaxing café. I am writing my own fantasy and sci-fi book at the moment and I very much enjoy talking about books, writing or reading and learning about other peoples creative writing experiences!

Speaking

mode_comment 0
Karissa

Karissa

About Me

Hello! I'm Karissa~ :) I am originally from California in the USA, and I lived in South Korea for two years before moving to Japan in the summer of 2024! I am working as an English teacher in Nagoya city and hope to travel to different parts of Japan during my time off. I love traveling and meeting new people and exploring new places! Although I am still exploring my own city, I'd be more than happy to show you around my favorite spots so far!

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Stay with locals in Japan

Chrissy

Chrissy

Fukuoka

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hey! Im Chrissy, a Canadian who has been living in Japan since 2016. I’m a very friendly, positive and outgoing person who loves travelling and meeting new people! I’m planning on travelling around Europe between June-August 2025 to travel and grow more as a person. I’m looking forward to meeting you!

Speaking

mode_comment 0
Uuganaa

Uuganaa

Tokyo

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hello everyone! I’m originally from Mongolia and have been in Japan for eight years, with the last four in Tokyo. I just finished my master’s degree and am currently job hunting here. I love traveling and have been lucky to visit a few countries during my school vacations—definitely hoping to explore more in the future! Meeting people from different places is always exciting, so I’d love to connect with fellow travelers. I live in a cozy one-room apartment, so sleeping arrangements will be on the floor. I know how pricey accommodations in Tokyo can be, so I’d love to help out fellow young travelers.

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Upcoming visitors to Japan

Anastasia

Anastasia

About Me

i’m an English teacher, musician, and traveler :) i love making new friends all over the world

Speaking

mode_comment 0
Jana

Jana

About Me

Hallo, Hello and Moin Wah gwaan, nice to meet you. I am from Hamburg in Germany. Living in my city my whole life, so kind of a (big)small town girl, but also always interested to explore the rest of the world. Haven't been to Asia yet, but will be leaving soon to Japan and I am very excited. I am always open for a meet up. Also if you ever are in Hamburg let me know. I am happy to help you with advice, tipps etc or to meet up 🌺

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Safety in Japan