According to the Global Peace Index (GPI), Japan has a ranking of 1.34 as of 2023, making it one of the Top 15 safest countries in the world to live. Japan has also been cited to be one of the best travel destinations for solo female travelers in 2023. Such statistics support the theory that Japan is a safe country to live and travel in, regardless of whether you’re male or female.  

When it comes to living alone there were over 4 million female one-person households recorded in 2020 in Japan. 20% or 1.8 million out of 4 million of this demographic were aged 75 to 84, while around 1.2 million out of 4 million of this demographic were aged 25 to 24, suggesting that women living alone in Japan are not a rarity. 

Pros and Cons of Living Alone – An Overview 

People, be they men or women, may choose to live alone for a wide variety of reasons. Some benefits of living alone include: 

• More freedom and independence 
• No bothersome roommates or family members imposing on your privacy and making noise and mess 
• Your space; your rules 
• Potentially more secure if you’re fastidious about locking windows and doors 
• No uninvited guests 

As with most things, there are downsides and some of the downsides of living alone include: 

• Financially more taxing 
• Potentially more isolating  
• More responsibility  
• Lack of a support system 

When it comes to women in particular, there may be certain factors to take into consideration when it comes to living alone along with those mentioned above, which will be discussed below.  

Second Floor 

If you’re a woman who wants to live alone and is somewhat concerned and anxious when it comes to the issue of security, many real estate agents and organizations such as Village House will recommend viewing and choosing apartments from the second floor and up. This is due to the fact that a higher floor apartment provides an extra measure of security as it’s out of reach from the streets and roads, making it less accessible.  

Having an apartment on the second floor or above also means that you’ll have a better guarantee of not attracting unwanted attention from potentially nosy strangers walking past the windows of your apartment. There is also less noise pollution from the streets and roads below if you choose an apartment on a higher floor. 

Lastly, since it’s common practice for people in Japan to hang their laundry out on the balcony to dry, women living alone have a better chance of not having their laundry stolen if they live on the second floor or above.  

If you are a woman who wants to live alone and prefers a ground-floor apartment, some options to consider in relation to security and privacy include: 

• Renting a gated apartment that has a fenced-off area and a lobby, both of which provide an extra measure of security and privacy 
• Renting an apartment away from main roads and busy streets 
• Drying your laundry inside 
• Renting an apartment with frosted windows and roll-down shutters  

Walking Distance 

Japan may be considered one of the safest countries in the world to live in but that does not mean that one should become complacent when it comes to personal safety. One way to minimize any concerns regarding safety is to try to choose an apartment within walking distance of a train station because many train stations in Japan’s big cities usually come attached with a koban (police station) either by its entrances and exits or within close vicinity. Having easy access to the police can be more reassuring for women who live alone.  

Living close to a train station also usually means that roads and streets are well-lit and lined with shops and amenities. This can provide extra security and safety for women, especially if they are getting home late at night. It also comes with the added benefit of convenience as you won’t have to walk far in order to buy groceries or get a bite to eat.  

Wash Basin 

Regarding the interior amenities of an apartment, some women may prefer to have a separate wash basin for practical reasons, namely being able to carry out their morning and evening ablutions before and after work, school, etc. Having a separate wash basin that comes with a medicine cabinet may also prove beneficial for women as they can store their toiletries, cosmetics, and sanitary products in one area.  

Bathroom 

When looking at apartment listings in Japan, 1R apartments typically mean that the toilet, shower, and bath are all located in one room. While this is not that big of an issue for many, there is an added luxury of having the toilet separate from the bath or shower.  

Having the toilet be in a separate room from the bath or shower allows for more storage space for bathroom products, toiletries, cosmetics, etc., and also provides some extra space in the bath or shower area for getting ready and getting dressed.  

Having the toilet in a separate room also is convenient in that it won’t get wet when you’re in the bath or shower and subsequently, neither will your toiletries, bathroom products, cosmetics, etc.  

Washing Machine 

It probably comes as no surprise that apartments in Japan tend to err on the smaller side due to lack of space and land. Architects, landlords, and tenants alike have had to get really creative to maximize what space they have in order to make the apartment livable and functional. One of these ways is to put the washing machine on the balcony or even outside of the apartment by the front door.  

If this doesn’t sound at all appealing to women who want to live alone, then it’s best to ensure that when viewing apartments, the apartment has a dedicated space for a washing machine. Real estate organizations such as Village House, which have over 1,000 properties across Japan’s 47 prefectures provide apartments to suit a wide variety of clientele and their needs. Having a dedicated space for a washing machine inside the apartment is not only more convenient but there is less chance of your laundry getting stolen, and it’s easier to keep the washing machine clean and in good condition when out and away from the elements.