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Japan is one of the safest countries in the world to visit, but that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down completely. Here are a few things to watch out for – some are serious, others, maybe not so much!
Japan’s Wild Weather
Japan has a fairly moderate climate most of the time, but when it forgets that and goes wild, it can wreck your travel plans. Watch out for…
Heavy Snowfalls
Snow is a bonus if you’re coming to Japan to ski, but otherwise, it can mess things up a bit with road closures and, occasionally, train delays if the snow is very heavy. Heavy snowfalls can also slow down luggage transfer, so bear this in mind if you’re shipping ski gear (or anything else) back to the airport.
Not every area experiences heavy snow; it’s rare in Tokyo and Kyoto, but if you’re visiting higher-altitude tourist favourites like Takayama, Kanazawa, Hakone, and Mount Fuji, build in some flexibility with your plans during snow season.
Again, make sure you have a little bit of leeway built into your travel times, particularly getting back to the airport for your return flight, and stay aware of any travel warnings. If you have a rental car in winter and are traveling at higher altitudes, make sure you have snow tyres, or chains.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Summer Temperatures
Japan’s summers are hot. Opressively hot. They might not sound it on paper – Tokyo in August has an average temperature of 31, Kyoto is around 33, which, if you live in Australia, is possibly when you start feeling a bit toasty rather than melt – but Japanese summers are also humid.
Humidity in Tokyo during August is 73 per cent, Kyoto is 66 per cent (in comparison, Sydney and Dallas are around 60 per cent) and, in cities, the concrete bounces the heat around.
If you’re traveling to Japan in summer, take advantage of the huge number of cooling products available in stores like Hands, stay hydrated and schedule your plans to be inside in the middle of the day.
Typhoon Season
This runs from June to October with August and September being peak season. Most typhoons just bring a lot of wind and rain, but sometimes these are strong enough to stop or delay the Shinkansen.
You might also be advised to stay inside your hotel for the day.
If you’re travelling in Typhoon Season it’s always a good idea to have a bit of leeway in your plans – especially when it comes to getting back to the airport for your flight home.
Related Read: Underestimating snow is one of our top 15 mistakes you can make in Japan – that might actually spoil your trip. Find the others here.
Earthquakes
According to the Japanese Meteorological Agency, there were 12 earthquakes in Japan on the first and second of May 2025 alone – every day, their seismic activity report lists at least one, sometimes you’ll see four or five.
That might sound scary, but 99.9% of them you won’t even feel, or if you do feel them, you might not realise that’s what they were.
I’ve only felt one in eight trips, and that only felt like a truck driving past. Even the one that triggered the scary alert below (at 4.30 am) I didn’t actually feel where I was.
However, there is always a risk of a larger earthquake in Japan, but as it’s something that the people there live with every day, there are also firm emergency plans in place and high building safety standards.
So, while you shouldn’t let the fear of an earthquake happening in Japan stop you traveling, you should be aware of what to do if one does happen and have the appropriate apps downloaded on your phone to steer you to safety.
Our guide on earthquakes in Japan gives you a better idea of how to be more prepared.
What is the Nankai Trough?
You might have heard that the Japanese Meteorological Agency has warned about a higher-than-normal chance of a mega-quake occurring in the Nankai Trough. This is an area in the sea just off the south of Japan where two tectonic plates meet.
A large earthquake here could devastate southern areas of the country, especially if it’s followed by large tsunami waves.
That sounds really scary; however, the warning is not necessarily re an immediate threat. They are warning that there is an eighty percent chance of that mega-quake happening sometime in the next 30 years.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency states on their website, ‘it should be noted that the issuance of information indicating elevated potential for a Nankai Trough earthquake does not necessarily mean that one will actually strike.’ And if you look at the percentage likelihood of it happening during the exact moment of your trip, the odds in your favour are good.
So, while you should know what to do in an earthquake situation, and be aware of tsunami evacuation routes if you are near the sea, don’t let it spoil your trip.
Encountering Japanese Wildlife
Japan’s wildlife includes wild boars, monkeys, snakes, and even bears in some regions.
Okay, you’re unlikely to bump into any of these if you’re spending your holiday in Tokyo or visiting popular sites during the day when lots of noisy people are around, but if you’re going to try and beat the crowds and see more rural sights like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Okunoshima Island (aka Rabbit Island) or the more remote temples in Nara early in the morning or late at night, or, if you are going hiking anywhere in Japan’s actual countryside, be aware that you might encounter wildlife.
There are normally signs around if you need to be concerned.
Take note of warnings you might see in a particular area and take precautions, like carrying bear bells and staying on marked trails, as suggested. Respect wildlife by giving animals space.
What About the Famous Deer?
The deer on Nara and Miyajima aren’t tame, and particularly in Nara, they can nip in their quest for deer cookies. The male deer can also become aggressive during mating season (September to November), while the female deer might be more protective during fawn season (May to July).
Again, pay attention to the warnings posted around town. Don’t approach fawns, as adorable as they are. Don’t tease the deer, grab them, or hide the deer cookies out of sight.
Also, if you are getting up close with the deer (I had them lying their heads in my lap on one visit as we got there super early before they got all hyped up by people), be aware that they can carry ticks. Ideally, visit them with your legs covered, and check yourself afterwards.
Chikan
Most of the time, you’ll be perfectly safe in Japan, far safer than in most other big cities, but the country does have a problem with groping, especially on the very crowded trains.
The people who do this are known locally as Chikan!
Admittedly, tourists are less likely to be targeted than locals. Chikan tend to prey on people they think won’t make a fuss, and they think we’ll be too loud.
You’re more likely to get squashed on a rush hour train than groped, but keep your wits about you – and during busy times, ladies should feel free to use the Women-Only train cars that run on some lines during rush hour.
Oh, and while we’re here. Avoid rush hour trains generally if you can, especially in Tokyo. They aren’t much fun.
Bar Touts
Touts are there to draw you into bars – sometimes they’re legitimately drumming up trade, other times the bars they are taking you to are a little more dodgy and you’ll find yourself with a far larger bill than you expected – and a large man helping encourage you to pay it.
It used to be that touts didn’t target tourists, but there have been cases recently – and even the famous Shinjuku 3d cat was issuing warnings in English about not following touts into bars when I was there recently (check out the picture of her with her police hat on).
The best way to avoid problems is to never follow a tout into a bar, especially in Tokyo’s more lively nightlife areas like Kabukicho or Roppongi.
Osaka Cyclists
Seriously, something happens to people in Osaka when they get on bikes. All semblance of law and order goes out the window—roads, pavements, pedestrian crossings—they all merge into one.
Watch where you’re walking!
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. You might like our 62-page Japan Super Planner, which includes tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing. Or our super-duper Tokyo Disney Planner makes arranging your park trip MUCH easier. We also have specialised planners like Tokyo Tips, Kyoto Tips, or the Rail Pass Planner. Find them in our Planners store – printable and digital versions are available.
TV Crews
One day, I was in Shibuya when someone approached me. They were from a TV company, they told me, and asked if I would like to go and eat ramen with them. Naturally suspicious, I said no.
A few days later, I’m watching TV in bed and my friend messages me from her hotel room down the hall, ‘there’s this bonkers programme on where they’ve taken foreigners to eat Japanese food and now they’re making pig noises’
I always wonder if that could have been me being oinked at!
Now, not every TV crew has nefarious intent – some genuinely want a tourist’s opinion on something newsworthy, but just be a bit wary of anything requiring you to do a little more than discuss the crowds at Senso-ji – you know what they say, there’s no such thing as a free lunch!
Emergency Numbers & Advice
Police: Call 110
Fire/Ambulance: Call 119
Tokyo English-speaking Police: 03 3501-0110 (weekdays 8:30 am-5:15 pm). If you need help after this, call 110 and say tsuyaku, which means translator.
Police Boxes: If you need less urgent help, for example, you’ve lost your wallet or passport, the local police box is called the Koban. There is one of these in every neighbourhood. If you can’t find it, the phrase doku wa koban desu ka? means ‘where is the koban?’ (Find more useful Japanese phrases here)
Download: The “Safety Tips” app by the Japan National Tourism Organisation for English emergency alerts regarding natural disasters.
Familiarize yourself: With earthquake procedures, and if you are by the sea, locate the nearest tsunami evacuation route or area of high ground.
Check. Weather forecasts during typhoon season or periods of heavy snow, and don’t be afraid to alter plans if you’re likely to encounter worsening conditions.