Japan

WaxiesDargle

Hi all

My student daughters 21 and 19, have booked flights to Japan (no accommodation as yet) and are flying out at the end of July.They are staying for 20 days and plan to travel across the country.

Has anyone been? It it a safe country to travel in?

I am panicking, like I always do where they are concerned, I know that you cannot guarantee safety in any country, but any reassurance about Japan will do

graceandfavour

My friends daughter lived out there and is now married to a Japanese chap. My friend visits quite regularly. She says it is not somewhere she could live but it is ok to visit. Western women are a bit of a novelty from what she says so they will need to be prepared to be the centre of attention and sometimes that means unwanted attention.

am sure that someone will come along with more personal stories that will reassure you. I am sure they will be fine if they take common sense precautions.

InsideInsurance

Japan has the fourth lowest crime rate in the world, well below that of the UK and unlike some other places in the world there is a lot less case of countering that with different views on whats crime.

As you say, every country in the world has its bad areas and Japan culturally is very different from here but it is certainly safe, if sensible, and more so than here

agrinnall

I'm sure your daughters will be far safer travelling in Japan than they would be staying in the UK. My female American flatmate in New Zealand 25 years ago travelled alone through Japan, and hitch hiking in a remote area she was picked up and taken to the driver's home to be the family's guest of honour rather than dropped off at a hotel. It is without doubt the politest country I have ever been to, and not as expensive as it's often made out to be (at least when I was there in 2006) if you're reasonably careful with your money.

Hermia

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Japan has the fourth lowest crime rate in the world, well below that of the UK and unlike some other places in the world there is a lot less case of countering that with different views on whats crime.

As you say, every country in the world has its bad areas and Japan culturally is very different from here but it is certainly safe, if sensible, and more so than here

Indeed. I have a friend who lives in Tokyo and is happy to walk around after dark. This is not something she would ever have done in the towns she lived in the UK! Whilst she does get a bit of attention for being a western woman, she says it is a far more respectful society. She does say it is important to do a little research into the culture and etiquette so as not to put your foot in it.

WaxiesDargle

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, it is very much appreciated

I feel more reassured now

tarkytarks

We got back on Sunday from 2 weeks in Japan. I'm in the process of putting together some info for a thread on here about it. Tips and tricks etc. But in essence it was ever so easy over there - don't panic (I know I did!). We carried all of our money around with us for the entire trip, had no problems with not feeling safe etc, and it was very easy to travel around.
I did come back craving porridge and fruit though, but that's another matter :-)

rorylando45

I've been to Japan twice, never felt unsafe at any point in either trip.

andrewf75

safer than here certainly

rustyboy21

Read somewhere that Japan has the lowest rate of pregnancy and marriage. Boys are too busy on computers or with Comics to associate with girls and the girls are all too busy dressing up as comic heroes ( Manga?) .


At least the chance orf being sexually harassed whilst away is very low. Biggest importer of Love dolls in the world ! lol

aileth

I went alone for a week when I was 18 and not one single time did I ever feel in danger. I was ten times happier walking around there after dark than here. They will absolutely love it.