How safe is Shibuya?

As you can see, the crime statistics of Metropolitan Police Department of Tokyo in 2019 shows that Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Shibuya are the 3 most dangerous areas in Tokyo by far, as we all know the famous Shinjuku Kabukicho, Ikebukuro “West Gate” Park and Shibuya Center Street.



Shibuya remains one of the safest major urban districts in the world in 2026, with a crime rate that is a fraction of that in London, New York, or Paris. You can comfortably walk through the famous Shibuya Crossing or the surrounding "Center-Gai" streets at 2:00 AM with minimal risk of violent crime. However, "low crime" does not mean "no crime." In 2026, travel advisories highlight a risk of petty theft and drink spiking in the nightlife districts, particularly in smaller, "hole-in-the-wall" bars that use aggressive "touts" to lure in tourists. There have been reports of foreigners being overcharged or having their cards used fraudulently after being given a spiked drink. Additionally, Shibuya has strict local laws—it is illegal to smoke on the street, and public drinking is often restricted during holidays like Halloween or New Year's Eve. As long as you keep your belongings secure in crowds and avoid "too-good-to-be-true" bar deals, Shibuya is an exceptionally safe environment.

People Also Ask

Is it safe to walk around Tokyo at night? The short answer is a solid Yes. Generally, Tokyo is safe to walk around, even very late into the night. Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world for a reason, more often or not you should be more concerned about missing the last train in Tokyo rather than getting mugged.

MORE DETAILS

Japan is super safe
Being amongst the countries with the lowest crime rate on the planet, Japan has maintained its reputation as being incredibly safe. This is why we recommend Japan for solo travellers. It's a country where you can walk around without fear. In fact, theft reports are very low in Japan.

MORE DETAILS

Top 3 Areas in Tokyo with the Lowest Number of Violent Crimes. Places one and to go to Ota and Minato Ward, defined by Haneda Airport and Odaiba with the Tokyo Bay area respectively. These are areas where few people live and even though they do get crowded with people, violent crimes are few.

MORE DETAILS

The areas with the largest number of crime incidents, namely Shinjuku, Setagaya, and Edogawa, are also areas with a comparatively high population. Likewise, few people live in the low-crime areas of Bunkyo, Meguro, and Arakawa.

MORE DETAILS

Yes! Japan's capital city is one of the safest in the world, so dive right into the thick of things. Marvel at the skyscrapers and bright lights of Shinjuku, experience the trendy and cute animal cafes, and shop for traditional handicrafts in Asakusa.

MORE DETAILS

Shorts, jeans, and camisoles are perfectly fine to wear as long as you don't plan on attending religious sites. While denim isn't a popular fashion choice for those beyond their teen years, black jeans are more acceptable due to their versatile nature.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, drinking water from taps in Japan is safe. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water in Japan. Metro train stations have public water fountains, but otherwise these can be hard to find (this is the land of vending machines after all).

MORE DETAILS

Shinjuku and the rest of Japan is quite safe, day and night. Yes, very safe. Even the red light district is safe... other than annoying touts but they won't bother you if you are husband and wife together.

MORE DETAILS

For bars, resto, and a lot of clubs and adult night life, Shinjuku is superior. It's the best place to stay in Tokyo due to accessibility. My favorite park is also in Shinjuku. For famous landmarks, coffee shops, and shopping, Shibuya.

MORE DETAILS

The lively hub of Shibuya is arguably the youth heart and soul of the city, and unmissable if you're visiting the Tokyo area. With world-famous sights including the iconic scramble crossing, this area is a must-see for nightlife and trendy youth culture.

MORE DETAILS

Who do you think it's best for? Anyone remotely impressed that Tokyo is the most populated city in the world should visit Shibuya Crossing. The best time to go is at dusk, one of the scramble's peak times and in its most flattering light.

MORE DETAILS

If you are not wearing socks, it is polite to bring a fresh pair of socks to wear after removing your outdoor shoes because entering someone's house barefoot is not considered well mannered, although acceptable in informal situations. Slippers can generally be worn anywhere except when entering rooms with tatami floor.

MORE DETAILS

In addition, blue is one of the lucky colors in Japan. Finally ? current surveys indicate that blue is the most popular color of todays' Japan.

MORE DETAILS

Well, travel costs in Japan are cheaper than in most Western countries with similar service standards and living costs, but they are about twice as expensive as other Asian countries'. Different experiences, modes of transportation and classes of hotels meals in Japan can make a big difference to costs.

MORE DETAILS