Favela in Japan - The Most Dangerous Neighborhoods

Japan is a safe country, its crime rates are generally low. However, Japan has some dangerous neighborhoods and some slums. In this article, we will talk about the 7 most dangerous neighborhoods in Japan.

Many of the neighborhoods below are dangerous because there are many tourist attractions, homeless people, alcoholics, Pachinko players, foreigners, Yakuza, and houses of prostitution.

In Japan, there are no slums like those in Brazil, but there are many places where people live on low incomes. There are also neighborhoods where the Yakuza is in charge, but nothing like the slums in Brazil. In fact, Yakuza members are respectful and live in the shadows.

I just want to make it clear that there are no reasons to avoid the places below, the crime rate in Japan is extremely low. The theft rate is 1 person for every 100,000 inhabitants, while in Brazil it is approximately 700 for every 100,000 inhabitants. There is no need to fear these neighborhoods; the article simply presents the neighborhoods where police occurrences happen the most.

We also made a video based on the article talking about the 7 most dangerous neighborhoods in Japan:

1. Kabukicho – Largest Red-Light District

Kabukicho is the largest red-light district in the world (places where there are sex shops, motels, nightclubs, and prostitution). The neighborhood is very popular among tourists and is also home to thousands of restaurants, karaoke, clubs, and bars.

Unfortunately, there are some underworld establishments that attract weirdos and criminals in droves. It is the type of neighborhood where it is common to see riot police casually walking down the street.

Most visitors do not see any problem in going to the restaurants and bars in this neighborhood, but they avoid living there. Not to mention that it is located in front of Shinjuku Station, one of the largest train stations in the world.

2. Kamagasaki – Largest Slum in Japan

Kamagasaki (or Airinchiku) is the largest slum in Japan, located in the south of Osaka. It is home to a large number of homeless and unemployed people, who are mostly alcoholics or Pachinko players.

In recent years, Kamagasaki has become popular among young foreign tourists who are attracted by cheap accommodations in the area. However, residents of Osaka avoid the place, saying it is dangerous.

Kamagasaki has a history of major riots (protests against police mistreatment). Several organized crime groups (Yakuza) maintain their offices in this area. Kamagasaki is the type of neighborhood where the police do not spend their time issuing traffic tickets.

3. Roppongi, Tokyo

Roppongi is a residential neighborhood filled with high-end offices located in Tokyo. The neighborhood is also a nightlife spot like Kabukicho and many other neighborhoods in Tokyo.

The US has issued alerts to tourists to avoid this place, but the danger is only at night in bars, clubs, and nightclubs, where many are intoxicated. It is possible for those attacks by perverts and even kidnappings to happen.

4. Shinsekai, Osaka

In 1912, Shinsekai was the most modern and cosmopolitan neighborhood in Japan. It was modeled after the streets of Paris and includes a large ultra-modern amusement park (Luna Park).

Luna Park suffered a series of fires shortly after it was built and closed around 1923. The area still has a carnival atmosphere and is one of the most popular attractions in Osaka.

The neighborhood is filled with cheap restaurants, souvenir shops, and Pachinko parlors. Despite its popularity with tourists, some residents of Osaka say it is a dangerous area.

5. Susukino, Sapporo

Susukino is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Sapporo for its restaurants and night bars. Being a neighborhood full of bars and nightclubs in the middle of Sapporo attracts criminals and strange people.

It is amazing how Sapporo manages to be less conservative than Tokyo and other tourist cities. Walking through the streets, you find posters in visible places inviting you to nightclubs, or women in provocative clothing as bar attendants.

Susukino is also where many of Sapporo’s festivals take place, including the Sapporo Snow Festival. There is no reason to avoid the area (in fact, it is considered one of the main tourist attractions in Sapporo). Just be aware that it is not the safest place in Japan.

6. Nakasu, Fukuoka

Nakasu is one of the largest entertainment areas in Japan. Like Susukino, it is a major tourist attraction, but it is not entirely safe due to the concentration of tourists and bars in the region.

7. Ueno, Tokyo

Ueno is home to many of Tokyo’s best attractions, including dozens of museums, a large park, and a zoo. The park is popular among the homeless in Tokyo, which can be a bit dangerous. There are Yakuza groups in this neighborhood; Japanese people usually do not visit it at night.

Read also: The Invisible Homeless in Japan

Other Dangerous Neighborhoods in Japan

It is generally advisable to stay alert in any neighborhood with a large concentration of tourists or that is a district of nightclubs, sunako, bars, and hostess clubs. This caution is necessary in all countries.

Not that you need to stop visiting tourist spots for this, just be more careful not to be deceived by a Japanese scammer. I myself have wasted money in simple neighborhoods like Akihabara and Namba because of the talk of Japanese women.

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