Travel Advisory
Please check your government's official travel advisory before departure. Situations can change rapidly.
Safety Level
Official risk level and travel advisories
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. The main risk is natural disasters, not crime.
- Crime
- Very low; violent crime against tourists is extremely rare
- Main risk
- Earthquakes, typhoons and occasional volcanic activity
- At night
- Public transport and streets are safe in most areas
- Stay aware of your belongings in busy nightlife districts
- Keep an eye on local disaster alerts during typhoon season (roughly Aug–Oct)
Danger Zones & Areas to Avoid
Regions with poor security or restricted access
There are no travel-restricted or no-go zones for tourists in Japan.
- No-go areas
- None for ordinary tourism
- Caution at night
- Some nightlife areas (e.g. Kabukicho, Roppongi) for touts and overcharging bars
- Avoid following touts to unmarked bars; stick to reputable venues
- Areas around the Fukushima Daiichi plant have limited restricted zones, well away from tourist routes
Natural Disaster Risks
Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and other hazards
Japan is prone to earthquakes, typhoons and volcanic activity. Install the free "Safety Tips" app for multilingual alerts.
- Earthquakes
- Can occur anytime; drop, cover and hold until shaking stops
- Typhoons
- Mainly Aug–Oct; may disrupt flights and trains
- Tsunami
- After a strong quake near the coast, move to higher ground immediately
- Volcanoes
- Alert levels 1–5; do not approach at level 3+
- Install "Safety Tips" (Japan Tourism Agency) for earthquake, tsunami and weather alerts
- In a quake: protect your head, stay away from windows and falling objects
- Follow evacuation guidance from staff and stay until warnings are lifted
Health & Disease Risks
Endemic diseases and hygiene concerns
Japan has excellent hygiene and healthcare. No vaccinations are required and tap water is safe to drink.
- Vaccinations
- None required; routine vaccines recommended to be up to date
- Tap water
- Safe to drink nationwide
- Medical care
- High quality but expensive without insurance
- CDC suggests hepatitis A for travelers eating street food or visiting rural areas
- Carry any personal medication with a copy of the prescription (see entry rules)
- Travel medical insurance is strongly recommended (see the insurance section)
Crime & Scam Trends
Common crimes and scams targeting tourists
Crime is very low. The few issues are petty theft and nightlife touts, not violent crime.
- Petty theft
- Rare; occasional pickpocketing in crowds and tourist spots
- Common scams
- Nightlife touts and overcharging bars in some entertainment districts
- If in trouble
- Go to a koban (police box), found in most neighborhoods
- Do not follow street touts offering bars or clubs
- Lost property is very often returned in Japan — ask at a koban or station
Political Situation & Protests
Political instability and potential demonstrations
Japan is politically stable. Demonstrations are rare and peaceful, and do not affect tourists.
- Stability
- Stable democracy with no political travel risk
- Protests
- Rare and peaceful; avoid them as a precaution
- No curfews or political restrictions affect ordinary tourism
Local Laws & Prohibitions
Important local laws and penalties for travelers
Japan has zero tolerance for drugs. Some medicines legal at home are banned. Penalties are severe, including arrest and deportation.
- Illegal drugs
- Cannabis, stimulants, cocaine, MDMA are illegal — possession means prison and deportation
- Banned medicines
- Stimulant ADHD drugs (Adderall, Vyvanse) are prohibited even with a prescription
- ID
- Carry your passport (or residence card) at all times
- Some cold/allergy meds with pseudoephedrine or codeine are restricted by quantity
- Check medicines in advance; a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate may be required for larger amounts
- Smoking is restricted to designated areas in many cities
Emergency Contacts
Police, ambulance, and fire department numbers
Police 110, Fire/Ambulance 119. For tourists, the JNTO Visitor Hotline offers 24/7 multilingual help.
- JNTO Hotline
- 050-3816-2787 (24/7, English/Chinese/Korean)
- Police (non-emergency)
- #9110
- Medical advice
- #7119 (emergency consultation, many areas)
- From abroad, add +81 and drop the leading 0 (e.g. +81-50-3816-2787)
- For minor help, visit the nearest koban (police box)
Embassy & Consulate Info
Location and contact details of your embassy
No embassy or consulate information is available for your selected nationality in this country.
Travel Insurance
Recommended coverage and tips for choosing a policy
Not required for entry, but strongly recommended: medical care is excellent yet expensive for visitors.
- Required?
- No, but strongly advised
- Why
- Foreign/home health insurance is not accepted; costs can be high
- Look for
- Cashless service, hospital referral and medical interpretation
- Confirm coverage details before travel (some care, e.g. perinatal, may be excluded)
- Keep your policy number and assistance hotline accessible on your phone