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After three months travelling solo across India, a Japanese creator says most of her trip was wonderful but these were the places where she personally felt most unsafe.
‘I Thought This Could End Very Badly’: Japanese Solo Traveller Names Indian City That Scared Her Most
As the internet discusses how Indian tourists behave abroad, and at home, one content creator has shared her own experience of exploring India. Hanna, a Japanese content creator, recently spent three months travelling solo across the country, and posted a review of the places she felt unsafe and uncomfortable in. While she made sure to praise the locals for being incredibly kind and welcoming, she did not hide the scary moments.
“Before I begin, this video includes mention of stalking, sexual harassment and a situation that made me feel unsafe while travelling. I spent 3 months travelling solo across India. Most places were incredible, and I met some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. But these were the places where I personally felt the most unsafe as a Japanese solo female traveller”
Most Unsafe Cities In India, According To Hanna
Hanna listed the five specific places where she felt her personal space and physical safety were at risk. On number 5 was Guwahati. “Nothing terrible happened to me there, but compared to other places I visited in Northeast India, I felt less comfortable walking around alone.”
The national capital took the fourth spot. However, her issue with Delhi was more about how the environment affected her health rather than street crime. “I visited New Delhi three times, and somehow I got sick every single time. At this point, I think Delhi and I are just not compatible.”
Ranked third on her list was Mumbai. This choice surprised many people, as Mumbai is widely known as one of India’s safest cities for single women. However, Hanna shared that she faced sexual harassment there, which left her with very difficult memories.
The border town of Raxaul, which not many people know of, took the second spot because of the extreme stress she faced with local hotels right after crossing over from Nepal. “After returning from Nepal, many hotels refused to accommodate foreigners, and some quoted me much higher prices. It was one of the most stressful places I visited.”
To the surprise of many who view the spiritual city as a peaceful city, Varanasi ranked number one as her most unsafe location. Hanna revealed that a terrifying incident there left her deeply shaken. “This might surprise people because Varanasi is also one of my favourite places in India, but it was a place where I experienced the most stalking and the most dangerous situation of my entire trip…there was one moment in Varanasi when I genuinely thought, okay, this could end very badly.”
“Truly Sorry And Ashamed”: Internet Reacts
People who saw her video on Instagram showed a lot of support, with many wishing her well for her future travels. One user wrote, “Nagaland and Mizoram are the safest!”
Another added their own experience of travelling in India: “Varanasi to me is also a place I loved and hated. I’m glad overall you’ve been well and travelled to many parts of India even Indians haven’t been to. Good luck with your future travels. Matane 🍻”
Many users also asked her to visit other states, sharing their recommendations. “You should visit southern India, you’ll feel a lot safer!”
About the Author
Mallika Bhagat is a Deputy News Editor at News18, where she leads the Lifestyle and Viral desks. A seasoned journalist and content strategist, she brings a decade of high-impact experience from India’…Read More
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