Which Places Should I Avoid In Tokyo?

We often think of Japan as being a largely peaceful country with minimal crime, and while the country certainly ranks highly on things such as the Global Peace Index, there is still plenty of crime to be found in its most populated areas, such as the city of Tokyo.

It is unlikely that you should actually find yourself encountering any significant danger on a trip to Tokyo, but you will still want to take the right steps to avoid trouble or danger regardless.

Tokyo is a very large city, with a large population of over 14 million, so it can be hard to tell which areas of the city you should avoid.

If you want to know what to avoid in the city, then make sure to read on down below, because we are going to take you through all of the spots to avoid in the heart of the city.

Crime Hotspots

Of course, one of the areas you’re going to want to avoid is those that are known for a higher concentration of crime cases. But what are these areas? Let’s take a look!

Roppongi

Roppongi is an area of the city that is well known for its vibrant nightlife, making it a great place to visit at night, but as a tourist, you must be sure to exercise caution when visiting this area of the city.

This area is known to play host to scammers, and these scammers often prey on the innocence of tourists to the area. These scammers often target bars and involve themselves with credit card fraud.

Some cases of kidnapping have even occurred, but these are quite rare. Make sure to always be vigilant when visiting bars in the area. These bars can be very fun, but you must make sure to optimize your own safety.

Kabuki-Cho

Kabuki-Cho is well known for its red-light district. This can be a wonderful spot of the city to explore on foot, but you should ensure to explore it with caution during the night time.

Some of the host and hostess clubs in the district are known for roping in uninformed tourists and influencing them to rack up a huge bill that must be paid. It is possible to safely enjoy Kabuki-Cho during the night time, but it must be done with diligence.

Setagaya

Although Tokyo is largely devoid of crime, there are small areas within the city where crime is likely to run more rampant. Unfortunately, one of these is the Setagaya district, which has one of the highest crime rates in the city.

Many of the district’s most major crimes are burglaries. One of the potential explanations of the danger of this area is due to how densely populated the area is. This higher concentration of people in one space naturally leads to a higher chance of crime.

Takeshita-Dori

Not only are some of the spots to avoid in Tokyo crime related. There are some areas within the city that you should avoid as a result of how busy they get.

Takeshita Street is one of the city’s biggest tourist destinations, and while it is worth paying it a visit, you should prepare for very heavy crowds. During peak times, the street can become incredibly packed, which can make it very difficult to navigate.

This can lead to an unpleasant experience in which you may not actually see much of what you want to see.

It is often recommended to instead head down some of the side streets near Takeshita, where you can find some more underrated stores and vendors, and get a more authentic experience.

Nakamise Dori

Asakusa is a district of Tokyo well known for playing host to the world-famous Senso-Ji Buddhist temple.

Because this is such an iconic sight that any tourist should not miss, many tourists often find themselves passing through Nakamise Dori, a famous shopping district known for its many touristy shops and attractions dotted across it.

Generally, you should try to avoid this area of the city, as not only is it very expensive to purchase anything from the many stalls along the strip, but it is also often packed to the brim with both local and foreign tourists.

It is difficult to avoid these crowds on any visit, so generally, it is better to just steer clear of the area where possible.

Instead, try passing through some of the other areas close to Senso-Ji, to get a more authentic experience, and to shop at some smaller businesses that would benefit from your investment!

You might also save a little bit of extra money, considering how expensive souvenirs can be along Nakamise Dori street.

Edogawa

Edogawa is very similar to Setagaya in that it has a high density of people in one district. This concentration of people naturally leads to a higher likelihood of crime.

This area of the city has earned itself a very unfavorable reputation thanks to the fact that it is the vehicle break-in hotspot of the city.

To Wrap Up

As we mentioned earlier, Tokyo is a very safe and pleasant city to visit, and the city has commonly ranked highly on the Global Peace index. It is very unlikely that you would actually encounter any dangerous crimes occurring while you visit the city.

However, to lower the likelihood of encountering crime, you should make a point of avoiding these areas where possible. Some of them should generally be avoided during the night time, but may be safer in the day time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Safest Area In Tokyo?

One of the safest areas in all of Tokyo is the Shibuya area. This is one of the most famous areas in the city, and there are always plenty of people around.

This is a great spot for tourists, as there is more likely to be English-speaking people that can help out if needed.

Can I Show My Shoulders In Japan?

Generally, you should avoid showing your shoulders when in Japan. Though it would not be truly offensive, it may be viewed as something of a faux pas. This is because it is viewed as being more revealing.

Is It Rude To Use A Fork In Japan?

No. While it may not be common, it would not be viewed as rude to use a fork to eat in Japan. Though chopsticks are more common, forks are still very much used.