How Safe is Tokyo for Women & Families?
The Realities of Living in the City
The facts and how to protect yourself and your family in Tokyo.
Is Tokyo really a safe city? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. In 2024, the World Population Review named Tokyo the world’s safest city. Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection ranked it fourth, and Forbes placed it 11th globally. With varying reports, how safe is Tokyo—especially for women and families? In this article, I’ll explore different aspects of safety in the city to help answer that question.
For Solo Female Travelers
© Photo by iStock: recep-bgWomen traveling alone will feel relatively safe in Tokyo—in most areas.
The least safe areas of Tokyo are:
- Shibuya (Center-gai specifically)
- Shinjuku (Kabukicho)
- The station/nightlife areas of Ikebukuro, Roppongi and Ueno.
Going out in those areas at night can be dangerous as petty theft, purse-snatching, pickpocketing and assault are common there (based on data from the 2022 National Police Agency white paper on crime). If you still wish to be a late-night explorer or partygoer, don’t forget to check out our savvy guide to the nightlife in Tokyo first.
Women solo traveling should stick to accommodations that are either for women only or those with monitored front desks to lessen their risk of being the victim of crime. For short-term resting or if they find themselves unable to return to their accommodation late at night, look out for a women-friendly internet cafe.
Check out this helpful article here and another from Gaijinpot for more information on traveling solo in Japan as a woman.
For Solo Living in Tokyo
© Photo by iStock: Kunihito IkedaLiving in Tokyo is like living in any city if you’re a woman. You need to be aware of your surroundings, and know where to go for help should you need it. When looking for an apartment in Tokyo, there are three key things to keep in mind:
1. Say No To First-Floor Apartments
While the rent may be cheaper, first-floor apartments are easy targets for thieves. Home invasions and burglaries (Japanese) are more common in first-floor apartments, especially ones where women live alone.
2. “Auto Lock” Is Worth The Price
An auto lock is an apartment building with a main entrance door for residents that requires a special key/code to enter, and maybe a separate key for your apartment itself. While these buildings are more expensive, they are also much more secure. For more details on these buildings, please check out Real Estate Japan’s article.
3. How You Do Your Laundry Matters
下着ドロボー (shitagi dorobo; “panty thieves”) are something you will need to worry about regardless of where you live, but especially those living on the first and second floors. In 2017 (Japanese), there were 10,413 reported cases of underwear theft, but only 4122 cases were solved. If you hang your laundry outside to dry, you risk losing them to an opportunistic thief or stalker. You’re just as likely to have them stolen at a laundromat if you do not stay and watch your laundry, however.
Public Transportation
© Photo by iStock: Rich LeggAssaults on women are shockingly common on the trains. Every single train line has a problem with chikan (gropers). The worst line was the Saikyo, but as of 2023 the JR Musashino, JR Takasaki and the Tobu Tojo lines are the three worst train lines for groping incidents.
Most trains have women-only cars at the end of the train, but these only operate in the mornings or late at night. If you believe someone is trying to molest you on the train, please refer to this article for advice on what to do.
Dating: Casual & Serious
© Photo by iStock: KatarzynaBialasiewiczI have discussed dating in Japan extensively, but in brief, be proactive but practical and protect yourself first and foremost.
STD/STI Protection
If you are looking to hook up, make sure to bring your own condoms, as a worrying number of men are refusing to use them despite growing STD/STI infection numbers. According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases weekly report, as of February 12th, 2025, in Tokyo alone, there were 172 new cases of syphilis reported. Note that those are only reported cases.
Stalkers
Stalking is another serious issue that women face in Japan. In 2023, there were 418 official warnings against stalkers under the Stalking Prevention Act (Japanese), which is down from 2022’s levels; however, more restraining orders were granted in 2023 than there were in 2022.
Sexual Assault
© Photo by iStock: sezer66Sexual assault statistics the world over need to be taken with a grain of salt. According to the National Police Agency 2022 White Paper, the number of cases of “forcible sexual intercourse” and “forcible sexual indecency” increased by 19.2 and 9.9 percent, respectively, in 2022 (1655 and 4708 reported cases). This is the largest increase in case numbers since the partial amendment to Japan’s Penal Code regarding rape and sexual assault in 2017.
The Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet Office report for 2022 states that, in Japan, roughly one in 14 women will be the victim of forcible sexual intercourse, but as many as 70 percent of women will not report the assault.
Children’s Safety
© Photo by iStock: marokeGiven how safe Tokyo and Japan as a whole tend to be, children tend to go to school by themselves. In fact, some schools encourage this as it helps the child to build independence. You should consult with your child’s school with any concerns you may have, although this article may also come in handy.
You can keep an eye on your kids remotely. There are IC card/phone services that will notify you of your child’s location throughout the trip. Mamorail by the JR lines and Touch Mail by Softbank are two popular subscription-based services. If you speak Japanese, visit your nearest train station or your phone provider for more information.
Helpful Tips & Links
© Photo by iStock: winhorseContacting The Police
- In an emergency, call 110 on your phone to report a crime or accident.
- If it isn’t an emergency, call 9110 to find out who to contact.
- The Metropolitan Police Safe Society page provides information on what to do if you or someone you know is a victim of crime, as well as other useful links.
- Find your local koban (police box) by searching from your ward via this list (Japanese).
Counseling/Sexual Assult Help
- For support and counseling services, contact TELL Japan here.
- If you have been the victim of sexual assault, contact the Sexual Assault Relief Center Tokyo (SARC). NOMORE and Find A Helpline also have links to other sexual assault and abuse lines outside Tokyo as well.
Domestic Violence/Child-Rearing Support
- If you need advice regarding domestic violence, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline or Spousal Violence Support Centers across Japan.
- For more support on child-rearing in Tokyo, you should also check out the Japanese Midwives Association homepage.
So—Is Tokyo Safe For Women and Families?
Tokyo is safe in general, although the real and unreported statistics on sexual assault and stalking make it seem less so. Unfortunately, it still falls to women to advocate for and protect themselves and their families.
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