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So, your teen can’t stop talking about Greenheart Travel’s Teen Summer Language Camp in Japan (and high school abroad). They can’t wait to dive into an arcade to play Taiko no Tatsujin or find their perfect bubble tea spot.
And your biggest question?
Is Japan safe?
We understand why you’re asking. Whether it’s through the narrow streets of Florence, Italy or the coast of Chile, safety is an important topic to consider before going on a program. Especially when sending your teenager across the globe, alone!
But before we gush about what a great program our Teen Summer Language Camp in Japan is, we have to be honest: we would never send our participants somewhere we would not go ourselves. We will continue to travel personally and professionally and many of us visit Japan frequently.
Of course, no matter where you are – even in your suburban neighborhood in Ohio – there is always a certain amount of risk in traveling.
Greenheart Travel’s Associate Director of Marketing, Sara, in Japan
Here are a few things to consider when wondering if Japan is safe:
By international standards, everyone is jealous.
Remember your question “Is Japan safe?”
Yes.
Japan overall is an extremely safe country, in many respects actually far safer than the United States. So safe, that in fact it was ranked the “safest country in the world.” Why? One writer has some reasons.
Greenheart Travel’s Program Manager, Kara, in Japan
There is no Department of State Warning against Japan.
The U.S. Department of State does not have any warnings or advisories for Japan. Even so, Greenheart Travel recommends our students enroll in the STEP program through the US embassy to receive alerts in case of emergency.
Just to give some perspective, the United Kingdom has a travel alert about the United States right now. They warn UK citizens traveling to the US that gun violence is common, hurricanes are a problem, and there is a general threat of terrorism. The moral of the story is that from a distance, looking only at news reports and reading your own country’s travel advisories, foreign countries look much scarier than they actually are.
Greenheart Travel’s High School & Short-Term Abroad Programs Coordinator, Allison, in Japan
In case of emergency – we’ve got you covered.
Greenheart Travel programs include 24/7 local and long-distance emergency support.
Plus, our local staff have evacuation plans in place for all major threats – not only potential military escalations with North Korea but all manner of disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, etc – so you can rest assured that in the unlikely safety event, we will take the necessary steps to ensure student safety.
We recently hosted a webinar about safety & security abroad.
Greenheart Travel’s Teach & Work Programs Director, Lauren, in Japan
Remember, you should treat Japan like anywhere else. You should expect the best, but always be aware and trust your gut. It is ultimately your decision to travel, and with the trust and support of an organization like Greenheart Travel, we hope you will feel comfortable doing so.
We firmly believe that travel and cultural exchange bring the world closer together, person by person. Now is exactly the time we need the type of cross-cultural communication our programs provide.
FAQs
Proponents love the safety of Japan, and the freedom and independence kids can still find here. Other parents get glared at for taking a stroller on the subway, or struggle with bullying in schools. My own experience is that Japan is kid-friendly, but not necessarily kid-easy.
Is it safe to take kids to Japan? ›
Parents will be relieved to know that Japan is among the top-ranked countries on the Global Peace Index. This is further evidenced by the often-mentioned independence of Japanese children, who are often trusted to walk to school or even run errands by themselves.
Is Japan the safest country for children? ›
It's also one of the safest countries for families, and not just in terms of road accidents. Japan's overall murder rate is the lowest of any of the countries Unicef looked at: at 0.2 per 100,000, it is a fraction of that in the US (5.3), Canada (1.8) or even Australia (0.8).
What age to take a child to Japan? ›
And if you're craving a different type of culture there are plenty of ancient Shinto shrines. As with Harajuku, a range of different ages will enjoy this activity on your family holiday in Japan, but as a guide, we'd say 8 years old and upwards - depending on your child's interests.
Is Japan safe for American travel? ›
Is it safe to travel to Japan? Japan is generally safe and is rated among the safest countries in the world. Reports of crime such as theft are very low and travelers are often stunned by the fact that locals leave belongings unaccompanied in cafes and bars (though we certainly don't recommend it!).
Is Japan a good place to take kids? ›
What makes Japan good for kids? Japan has fascinating festivals to witness (or even participate in!), great restaurants to dine at, interesting museums and temples, and your kids may even know more than you do about Japanese culture – especially if they're Ghibli fans or enjoy manga and anime.
What problems do children face in Japan? ›
Children are moved from abusive homes to neglectful institutions, facing poor living conditions, physical and sexual abuse, and little support for their future. In 2021, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan reported that the number of child welfare cases received nationwide reached almost 600,000.
Is Japan more safe than USA? ›
OVERALL, THE JAPANESE CRIME RATE IS ONE-FOURTH THE RATE IN THE U.S.: THERE ARE 10 TIMES MORE MURDERS IN THE U.S. THAN IN JAPAN, 13 TIMES MORE RAPES PER CAPITA, AND 208 TIMES MORE ROBBERIES.
What is the leading cause of death in children in Japan? ›
Japan has one of the highest suicide rates.
Do kids wear yellow hats in Japan? ›
Designing Motherhood | Children in Japan often wear yellow hats. They also ride public transport independently, run errands for family, and commute to school on...
STORY 10 family-friendly places you won't want to miss in Japan
- Tokyo Disney Resort. Chiba Prefecture. ...
- Fuji-Q Highland. Yamanashi Prefecture. ...
- Edo Wonderland. Tochigi Prefecture. ...
- Nara Park. Nara Prefecture. ...
- Ghibli Museum, Mitaka. Tokyo Prefecture. ...
- Nijigen no Mori. ...
- Universal Studios Japan (USJ) ...
- Ninja Museum of Igaryu.
For a long time, the country had one of the lowest age of consent among developed countries. Now, it is on par with a majorityof states in the U.S. However, under the new law, sex with a child between 13 and 15 would only be considered a crime if the partner is five or more years older.
Can I bring my child to Japan? ›
Family members can visit Japan on a Temporary Visitor Visa if they will stay in Japan for less than 3 months. If their passport is issued by a country or region that has a Visa Exemption arrangement with Japan, they do not have to obtain a temporary visitor visa beforehand.
How do Japanese treat American tourists? ›
One of the first things you'll notice during your Japan travel trip is how incredibly welcoming Japanese are towards foreigners (thank you Japan!). They are well known for their politeness and deep rooted traditions, so they definitely don't expect travellers to know all the social faux pas right off the bat.
Is Japan cheap or expensive? ›
Japan is cheaper than you think. Way cheaper. In fact, Japan is arguably the least expensive country in the developed world, rivaled only by Portugal and South Korea. And now that the yen is at a three-decade low against the US dollar, it feels particularly cheap for those coming from the USA.
Is Japan friendly to the US? ›
First, Japan is firmly allied with the United States in the Cold War against communism. Second, Japan relies on American military strength and limits its own defense forces to a minimum. Third, Japan emphasizes economic diplomacy in its world affairs.
Is Tokyo safe for families? ›
There are no really dangerous places in Tokyo to stay with children – not compared to most other parts of the world.
How safe is Japan for female Travellers? ›
Japan is generally very safe for solo female travelers. The crime rate is relatively low and the locals are respectful and helpful. Safety measures are readily available in public transportation and accommodations. However, always remain vigilant especially in crowded areas.
