Safety in Japan 2026: real risks, earthquakes, bears

Safety in Japan 2026: real risks, earthquakes, bears

Japan ranks among the safest countries in the world for crime, a fact confirmed year after year by official statistics. The real risks to know before leaving lie elsewhere: natural, and to some extent, animal-related.

Crime: a non-issue, or nearly

Serious crime (assault, violent theft) stays statistically marginal in Japan, even in major metropolises at night. It’s one of the rare countries where walking alone down a dimly lit street at 2 AM raises no particular concern, a reality confirmed by nearly every traveler, men and women alike.

Petty crime does exist regardless, mostly in the form of pickpocketing in areas heavily visited by tourists (Shibuya, Asakusa, crowded markets) and on public transit during rush hour. Home burglaries are also reported, though nowhere near the level of other developed countries.

Common-sense precautions

• Bag worn in front in crowds and crowded transit
• Normal vigilance over valuables, without excessive suspicion
• Adapted security for long-term rental accommodations

The real risk: natural disasters

Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of high seismic and volcanic activity.

Earthquakes

Small earthquakes are extremely frequent, several per day nationwide, the vast majority imperceptible or without consequence. Japan has some of the most advanced anti-seismic infrastructure and alert protocols in the world.

For a stronger tremor:

• Take cover under a sturdy table or in a doorway
• Move away from windows and hanging objects
• Follow the instructions posted in hotels (often in English)
• Install the official “Safety tips” app, available in English, which sends real-time earthquake and tsunami alerts

Typhoons

The season runs from August to October, peaking in September. A typhoon can disrupt flights and trains for 1 to 2 days, rarely more. Following Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts and keeping some slack in your itinerary during this period greatly limits the impact of a disruption.

Tsunamis

A risk directly linked to undersea earthquakes. Coastal areas have evacuation signage and warning sirens. In case of an alert, immediately follow directions toward high ground, without waiting for further confirmation.

The unexpected risk: bear attacks

A phenomenon clearly on the rise in recent years: bear attacks in rural and mountainous areas. Japan’s Ministry of the Environment recorded 216 attacks, 238 injuries and 13 deaths between April 2025 and March 2026, concentrated mainly in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, including in rural villages and not just deep wilderness.

For a classic circuit through major cities (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka), this risk is zero. It specifically concerns:

• Hiking in mountain areas, including marked trails
• Ski resorts on the edge of forests
• Isolated villages bordering wooded areas

Precautions in at-risk areas

• Avoid solo hiking in isolated areas
• Make noise while walking (bell, conversation) to signal your presence
• Strictly follow signs and local authority guidance, especially in autumn (a period of intense bear feeding activity before winter)

What isn’t a risk in Japan

• Kidnapping, hostage-taking, terrorism: nearly non-existent risk
• Visible drug trafficking and organized crime: practically absent from a tourist’s daily experience
• Police corruption or administrative hassle: a non-issue

Other practical info Japan

• Vaccines : none mandatory
• Visa : 90-day exemption for French and EU nationals
• Airports : Narita, Haneda, Kansai
• Budget : how much to plan per day

Page written by Marie L., Southeast Asia and Japan specialist, editor-in-chief of L’Heure du Voyage. 12 years of experience, regular stays in Tokyo since 2015. Updated: July 28, 2026. Verified by 2 experts.