Is It Safe to Travel in Japan

Japan is a quite safe land for tourists, as the public security is good with a very low crime rate. People live in peace, and everything is in order. There are a lot of people go out for social contacts, relaxations, and snacks at night, no matter whether they go alone or not. The risk is truly low in all aspects to travel in Japan. Even so, there are some things should call your attentions, the readiness is all.

Ready for Earthquakes

Earthquakes may be the uppermost hazard in Japan, as you could also hear the news of earthquakes in Japan sometimes. Perhaps for Japanese, earthquakes has already been a part of their life. But for oversea tourists, the knowledge about how to cope with in an earthquake is needed. For instance, hide in a safe space under the object of strong supports. When you get a local map, you can find the nearest earthquake shelter to your hotel in case. The place should be evaded if there was an earthquake in the past days.

Avoid the High Season of Natural Disasters

Natural hazards is a major threat to safe travel in Japan. Although there is nothing serious for the strong awareness of disaster prevention of Japanese, it’s best to avoid the peak season of natural disasters.

Late August to early October, especially September, is the typhoon season in Japan. It’s not a good time to travel to Japan, for the weather is really terrible. In such a season, it’s necessary to watch the local weather forecast from time to time, and avoid typhoons when planning a trip to Japan.

A natural hazard would cause some secondary disasters often. For example, an earthquake or typhoon in Japan might trigger a tsunamis, and a rainstorm could bring landslides in mountain areas. Thus, the rainy season in Japan, usually in June and July, is also a time period should be avoided. In particular, it’s OK in cities, but dangerous to go into the hilly regions during the rainy season.

Prepare for Possible Natural Disasters

Safe Japan Transportation: Pay Attention to Opposite Traffic Rules to Your Habits

The public transportation system in Japan is very developed, and famous for its punctuality. It is relatively safe to take the public transportation in Japan, as it’s usually orderly and quiet. During the rush hours, the metro stations, urban trains, and city buses, etc. would be crowded somewhat, thus you may need to be careful. In particular, look after your kid(s) well if you travel with them.

Vehicles keep driving on the right in Japan, which might be opposite to the traffic rules of some countries. If you’re from a nation having the totally different habits, you should pay special attention when walking out or driving by yourself.

High Food Security: Be Beware of Possible Allergies to Seafood Everywhere

Japan carries out the high food safety standards, so travelers can enjoy meals trustingly, in izakayas, restaurants, and hotels. In case of a small probability of accidents or health risks, reputable restaurants are the optimal choices for the best food as well as better service. Meanwhile, it is recommended to avoid eating food of unknown origin particularly when you are unwell.

Japan, as a large island country, is rich in seafood. If you don’t like seafood or you may be allergic, it’s not suggested to try the local food in Japan. Also, you need to avoid the food species you are allergic to.

Is It Safe to Travel in Japan for Solo Travelers? Yes, It’s Safe.

Solo Travelers in Japan

Don’t worry, Japan provides a safe environment to solo travelers. It’s very common that people go out for a dinner or even drinking wines alone in Japan to relax or release pressure after work, and many restaurants can offer private dining areas for solo guests. Besides, Japanese are very friendly to travelers, and they are enthusiastic to help others. But anyway, you need to keep in touch with your family and friends when travelling alone, and cancel the tours to less-visited places.

Safe Travel in Japan for Solo Female Travelers

Japan is one of the safest travel destinations in the world for solo female travelers. As you may know, there are women-only carriages on urban trains in some big cities, and the women-only accommodation is also available. No one will care whether you have a companion in Japan, even if it is a woman traveling alone. You can also choose a room on the women-only floors of nice hotels, and the capsule inns for women with good public praise is often economical in the case of budget shortfall. To have an onsen bath or SPA, there are usually a women-only area.

After all, solo female travelers need to be cautious on the journey. In Japan, you’d better choose the women-only carriages when taking the urban trains, in the rush hours particularly. On the mixed carriages, chikan, the onboard gropers, may haunt, much less than before. Even if these men get out, they would go after some locals rather than foreign girls. If you would meet a chikan, fell free to ask someone nearby to call the police. Moreover, night bus is not recommended even the attendant would separate men from women on the bus. At last, you can find your partner(s) if you are worry or anxious about the solo trip in Japan.

Safety Tips

 Never take your safety lightly. Although Japan is a low-risk land, it would be wrong to be careful. As travelling to a strange place, the sites that seem dark and dangerous should be bypassed. These places are usually unpopular, thus don’t go to the sites with no one there. Famous attractions with many visitors are relatively safe.

 Don’t readily believe in a person who walk or talk up with you. Because there are some pimps or swindlers especially in the seedy areas. The touts are likely to take you into some traps, in the worst case, you may find yourself in the bars or other spots of the local yakuza.

 In Japan, actually in any country, visitors should pay attention to the personal property and avoid displaying excessive cashes or valuables in crowded places. Please carry valuables with you and keep them safe.

In the Crowds during Local Festivals

 When you hike outdoors in Japan, especially in some mountainous areas, watch out the warning signs of snakes and bears. You can read some travel strategies in advance to know more about the destination, pay attention to the condition of trails and your feet, and bypass the warning areas. Meanwhile, you could prepare the anti-bear bell in case. It’s not suggested to go hiking or trekking deep in the mountains, for the dangerous animals as well as other unknown dangers.

 Watch the weather forecast every day, and adjust your travelling plan if the local weather changes suddenly and drastically. When the weather is awfully unfriendly, stay indoors and have a rest.

 Follow the travel tips issued by tourism, foreign affairs, transportation and other ministries of your country. Be careful to travel to Japan if the tips show unfavorable conditions in the traffic, public security, health, or climate of the country.

 If you suffer any problem, ask the policemen nearby, in the police box or station, for help. If necessary, the local embassy of your country is also helpful.

 Before travelling to Japan, a suitable and reliable travel insurance is optional.

Read More:

  An In-Depth Comparison between China’s Tourism and Japan’s Tourism