Go, but pay attention.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Japan
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Bicycle traffic violations
Traffic police conduct raids on bicycle paths to check for adherence to rules. Cyclists must follow traffic regulations to avoid police intervention.
Prostitution and drug involvement
Engaging in prostitution or dealing drugs increases the risk of involvement with yakuza gangs.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Measles, Rabies, Tick-borne Encephalitis
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Visitors to Japan must obtain a visa from one of the Japanese diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries or transit within 72 hours.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Japan, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal, but Japanese law does not protect against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Same-sex marriages are not recognised, but some local authorities issue certificates of recognition that can be used for civil issues, such as hospital visitation rights. Shinjuku Nichome in Tokyo and Doyamacho in Osaka are well-known LGBT+ areas. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, with crime rates significantly lower than that of most countries.
- •Kōban (交番), usually translated as police boxes, can be found in nearly every neighborhood, identified by a flashing red light.
- •Report any thefts or lost items at the kōban.
- •To call the police in an emergency, dial 110 (110番 hyakutoban).
- •Crimes and scams: Street crime is extremely rare, even for female travellers roaming the streets alone late at night, but it is still no excuse to ditch your common sense.…
Staying healthy
- •Japan is a country obsessed with cleanliness and health hazards are few and far between. Food hygiene standards are very high and there are no communicable diseases of significance.
- •Tap water is safe and of good quality throughout the country.
- •If you do become ill with a cold or other sickness, purchase a mouth-covering, cloth surgical mask.
- •Second-hand smoke used to be a massive issue in Japan, but public transport, public buildings and most offices are now smoke-free, with increasing numbers of cities banning smoking entirely outside designated smoking areas.
- •Despite the name, Japanese encephalitis has been virtually eradicated from Japan.
- •Healthcare: Medical facilities in Japan are on par with the West, and the better known hospitals are usually equipped with the most cutting edge medical technology.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
- The 26 factor : Nepal floods add to deadly trail of disasters that struck on 26th2026-09-05
- 272 lost pet reports filed after Kumamoto quake ; less than half found2026-09-04
- Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Thursday ( Sept 3 , 2026 ) 2026-09-03
- Fire erupts during demolition of quake - damaged chimney at paper factory in Kumamoto2026-09-03
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Japan is widely regarded as one of the safest countries globally, characterized by clean streets, a lack of pickpockets, and an absence of beggars. Travelers consistently report feeling secure throughout major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The society is organized and functional, providing a level of safety that stands out even to those from other developed nations. While natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes remain a concern for some visitors seeking specific safety maps, the general consensus is that the country is exceptionally safe for solo travelers, including those who prefer to return to their accommodation by 21:00.
“Japan is one of the safest countries in the world and you can feel that safety everywhere.
— r/travel
“Clean streets, little to no beggars/pickpockets, free restrooms (and clean!) everywhere, are some of the little things that you no longer have on the majority of European countries.
— r/travel
“I still want to go Japan, but there is lacking information about which zones will be more safe from tsunami and earthquake.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
A / B · 100V
Driving side
left
Emergency
police: 110 / ambulance: 119 / fire: 119
Tipping
Tipping is not a part of Japanese culture. Japanese people are uncomfortable with being tipped and are likely to be confused, amused or possibly even offended if tipped. The Japanese pride themselves on the service given to customers, and a further financial incentive is unnecessary. If you leave a tip in a restaurant, the staff will probably come running after you to return the money you 'forgot'
SIM / Data
Modern Japanese mobile phones (携帯電話 keitai denwa or just keitai) use the global standards for 4G and newer. In a nutshell:
Cash vs. Card
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but some cafes, bars, and restaurants may still only accept cash and/or IC card. Visa, MasterCard and JCB are widely accepted. Discover and American Express are usable where JCB credit cards are accepted.
Zoom in
2 Japan cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (9 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09