Patrick Balfe

We recently asked readers what their biggest fears were about visiting Japan, and the results are in. Japan welcomed a record-breaking 3 million international visitors in July 2024, in what is turning out to be a massive year for tourism. Despite what seems like universal interest in the country, visitors or potential visitors aren’t without their reservations. These fears were split into five distinct categories; let's see what you had to say. 1. Natural disasters -- 31% Nestled right in the Pacific Ring of Fire, it's no wonder that natural disasters topped the list of fears of those visiting Japan. Regional areas of Japan have felt the impact of these fears in recent months, with hotels and tourism companies experiencing a spike in cancellations due to earthquakes and flooding. Thankfully, Japan has learned to deal with the threat of natural disasters over centuries, putting strict regulations, systems, and education in place to mitigate damage and injury. Yet, while most Japanese citizens are educated about what to do in natural disasters from a young age, the same education isn’t provided for many visitors in their home countries. If you share the same fears as 31% of our respondents, the best thing you can do is seek out disaster preparedness information in English. 2. Sickness, illness, or accident -- 30% Perhaps with the COVID-19 pandemic still fresh in memory, plus many visitors coming to Japan for adventure sports like skiing and snowboarding, fear of illness and accidents came in at a close second with 30% of respondents. Accidents can happen anywhere, but language barriers and unfamiliar healthcare systems are likely to cause extra anxiety when visiting a foreign country. Japan has one of the most highly-regarded healthcare systems in the world, but for many visitors, getting access to treatment may seem like a more significant hurdle than the treatment itself. If you’re planning to visit Japan, it's recommended that you make sure you have travel insurance as a first step. If you want to be extra prepared, save this link from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in case you need English support with booking a doctor's appointment or getting quick access to healthcare. And if you’re in an emergency in Japan, the local number to dial is 119. Being the victim of a crime or a scam -- 19% Despite Japan’s reputation as a safe country, falling victim to a crime or scam was the biggest fear for almost 20% of respondents. News headlines may have contributed to this, with recent reports showing an increase in reported crimes since 2022. However, the National Police Association attributes these numbers to easing COVID-19 restrictions, saying that the current crime rates are still below Japan’s 17-year-low pre-pandemic levels. Japan consistently enjoys some of the lowest crime rates in the world. Still, a healthy dose of caution never hurt anybody, and authorities recommend exercising the same caution you would at home when visiting Japan. For information about safe travel as a woman, see our guide to women’s solo travel in Japan. Radiation from Fukushima Daiichi -- 11% Concerns about radioactivity from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant remain one of the biggest hangovers from the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. While concerns may have subsided before last year, the announcement that the power plant would start releasing treated water into the Atlantic Ocean brought these fears back into public attention. Although there is no evidence to suggest visiting areas in Fukushima outside the exclusion zone is dangerous, many parts of Fukushima Prefecture and the wider Tōhoku region have been struggling to find their feet since 2011, putting various programs in place to boost regional tourism. As Japan’s third-biggest prefecture, Fukushima has some of the country’s most beautiful nature, ancient culture, and delicious food. If you want to learn more about Fukushima and some of its regional revitalization programs, head to our Fukushima info page or their official portal. Wild animals -- 9% Almost one in ten respondents recorded wild animals as their biggest fear of coming to Japan. Although the risk of animal attacks to most travelers is relatively low, causes like warmer temperatures and population decline led to a sharp rise in bear attacks on locals in regional areas like Akita Prefecture and Hokkaido last year. Similarly, reports of monkey and dolphin attacks in Japan were in high rotation in international news a couple of years ago. With this in mind, authorities suggest being careful when heading deep into the Japanese countryside or mountains. When it comes to major cities, you’re unlikely to run into a bear, but keep an eye out for crows when buying a train ticket. Want more information on safe travel in Japan? Check out these guides: What to do during a typhoon in Japan English-speaking hospitals in Tokyo Basic Japanese-language guide to visiting the doctor The data is based on responses to a survey we ran from July 8 to July 26, 2024. Read our report in Japanese.