Japan has always been known for its low crime rate. However, if you plan to travel, study, or work in Japan, it’s natural to be concerned about the safety of your accommodation, especially for women living alone. You may worry not only about walking home from the station at night but also about potential break-ins. For example, in Tokyo’s 23 wards, do you know which ward has the worst safety record? And which ward is the safest? Where is it safest to live in Tokyo?

If you are somewhat familiar with the rumors about Tokyo’s 23 wards, you might think, “Isn’t Adachi the most dangerous?” But is that really the case? Let’s look at the safety rankings of Tokyo’s 23 wards based on data.

Note: Data based on 2024 (Reiwa 6)

Worst Safety Rankings

First, the conclusion:

The top 5 wards with the highest crime rates in Tokyo’s 23 wards are shown below:

The crime rate was calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population of each ward. Surprisingly, Adachi, often considered unsafe, does not appear in the top five. Instead, the top five include Chiyoda (home to the Imperial Palace), Shinjuku and Shibuya (shopping and fashion centers), Taito (home to Ueno), and Toshima (home to Ikebukuro). These are all areas that frequently come up in discussions about crime.

In fact, the higher crime rate in these wards is mainly due to the high pedestrian traffic around major stations like Akihabara, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno, and Ikebukuro. The statistics mostly record theft and petty crime rather than violent offenses. Since these areas attract many visitors, the likelihood of minor crimes like pickpocketing increases.

However, not all areas within these wards are equally unsafe. For example, Chiyoda Ward includes the Imperial Palace, which remains very secure.

Best Safety Rankings

The top 5 safest wards in Tokyo’s 23 wards are:

The calculation method is the same as above.

Suginami is a popular residential ward with high green coverage. Many residents are families with children, so safety awareness is high, streetlights and security cameras have been increased, and police patrols are frequent.

Setagaya is a well-known upscale residential area with many celebrities and embassies, resulting in strict security. Though the large area means some differences in safety by neighborhood, it is generally safe and suitable for women living alone.

Bunkyo is home to many universities, including the University of Tokyo, Ochanomizu Women’s University, and Tsukuba University. With many students and frequent police patrols, Bunkyo has consistently ranked as one of the safest wards in Tokyo.

Nerima has few entertainment areas and is mostly quiet residential streets, attracting minimal tourists. Residents, including families and students, maintain strong safety awareness, and police patrols are adequate.

The fifth place is Meguro Ward. A few years ago, Meguro, known for its many embassies, was pushed out of the top five by Shinagawa Ward, which had extensively installed surveillance cameras on its streets. Recently, Meguro has reclaimed the fifth spot by a slight margin.

Different Exits, Different Safety Levels

The worst safety wards—Chiyoda, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Taito, and Toshima—do not have uniformly dangerous areas. Major crime incidents often occur near busy stations and entertainment districts. Residential and office areas within these wards are much safer.

Even at the same station, safety varies by exit. For instance, near Shinjuku Station, the East Exit areas like Shinjuku Sanchome and Kabukicho account for about one-third of Shinjuku’s total crimes. The West Exit covers about one-seventh, and the North Exit only about one-thirtieth.

If you want to live near busy stations while avoiding high-crime areas, simply stay away from entertainment districts and check local crime data.

Even Adachi, often seen as unsafe, is relatively safe. Japan is generally a very safe country, and choosing where to live depends more on personal preference and affordability than crime statistics.

Good Safety Doesn’t Always Mean Comfortable Living

The safest wards may not always be the most lively or convenient. Apart from Bunkyo and Shinagawa, the other three top safe wards are residential with few attractions and located away from central Tokyo. While daily life is not difficult, those who enjoy a dynamic, trendy lifestyle may find these wards less exciting.

Tokyo 23 Wards Crime Data 2024

We have summarized the five safest and five least safe wards in Tokyo’s 23 wards. Below is the original data for reference: