For the past few decades, Japan’s society, a marriage of indelible history and cutting-edge technology, has been of glowing repute. This is especially true in 2024, as it’s no doubt making its way onto your avid globe-trotter’s list of “places to visit before I die!” If you know anyone who’s had the opportunity to travel to the land of the rising sun or have been lucky enough to chart your own adventures here, then you’re aware of the things that first-time tourists often marvel at and gush over once they step out the plane; The sparkling streets, the polite manner of its locals, the orderly procedures by which everything operates. Then there’s its A+ hospitality, the cornucopia of food that will put the faith of god into you, and those endless sights that dazzle for days. Indeed, the accolades are a mile long! Regarded as one of the most tranquil countries around, this commonly held belief is backed up by the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) holding it as the 12th safest nation for travelers.
Of course, the city that can be said to encapsulate this notion most poignantly is none other than its bustling capital: Tokyo. In 2023, amongst the myriad of vacation destinations out there, the metropolitan giant managed to cement itself as one of the most peaceful. So, when the BHTP set out to curate its annual list of the “Safest Cities To Travel To” as a part of its State of Travel Insurance Safest Destinations report, guess who got a top spot? Yep, Tokyo.
Foot traffic within the streets of Kabukicho – Photo credit: Guillermo Pérez
The question you may be having right about now is “How do you even quantify that?” Well, each year, American tourists are given a survey enumerating the most popular vacay spots across the world and asked to give these locales honest rankings based on their personal experience traveling there. Comparing this qualitative data with various other indexes, a city’s ‘safety’ is then determined by several elements such as health measures, the threat of terrorism, the safety of minority groups, and the risk of weather emergencies.
Crunching the numbers, Tokyo was shortlisted at 11th place, a few notches lower than last year, where it sat at number 7. The fact it is not ranked higher can be attributed to it not having the highest rating when it comes to the safety of those within the LGBTQIA+ community. On top of that, typhoon season, which reaches its peak in August and September, is something to keep on your radar as the deluge of rain can cause flooding and subsequent landslides. Despite this, transportation and crime rates are in the green zone, lending to an overall high score! Tokyo particularly welcomes Millennials, mature travelers, and the nuclear families of you out there, as in the report it was deemed the 9th, 5th, and 6th safest destinations for these groups respectively.
Schoolchildren walking to class by themselves – Photo Credit: kapinon.stuio
After having read all that you know what you wanna do – pack your bags and book a round trip to Tokyo (but if not, hopefully in the very near future)! With each passing year, this city reinvigorates itself time and time again, seeking to emerge into its unbridled potential by learning from and building on what has come before. By ensuring the security of its 14 million residents, the populace can focus their attention on attaining a better future. A steady track record like that guarantees a blindingly bright tomorrow, one that’s inviting you to be a part of it.
Featured Photo: Mungkhood Studio
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