Japanese Traveler Shares Mixed Experiences in India: A Candid Video Review
A Japanese traveler, Hanna, shares her candid experiences from nearly three months in India, highlighting both positive encounters and safety concerns. In a viral video, she lists five cities where she felt particularly unsafe, including Guwahati, Delhi, and Mumbai. Despite facing challenges, she emphasizes that her experiences are subjective and that travel can be both beautiful and complex. The video has sparked discussions on social media, with many expressing concern for women's safety while acknowledging that experiences can vary widely among travelers.
| Jun 12, 2026, 22:35 IST
Insights from a Japanese Traveler's Journey in India
In recent weeks, social media has been buzzing with discussions about the behavior of Indian tourists abroad and the experiences of foreign travelers visiting India. Amidst this, a video featuring a Japanese woman has gone viral, where she shares her experiences across various Indian cities and lists the places where she felt the most unsafe during her travels.
According to available information, a Japanese traveler named Hanna spent nearly three months exploring India alone. In a video shared on June 10, she mentioned that while she encountered many kind and helpful individuals, she also faced situations involving stalking, sexual harassment, and feelings of insecurity in certain areas.
Notably, Hanna compiled a list of five cities and regions based on her experiences. She emphasized that this list is entirely subjective and that every traveler's experience can differ significantly.
At fifth place, she listed Guwahati in Assam. Although she did not experience any serious incidents there, she felt less comfortable wandering alone compared to other places in Northeast India, which is why she included Guwahati in her list.
Fourth on her list was New Delhi. Hanna recounted visiting Delhi on three separate occasions, each time falling ill. She humorously remarked that perhaps she and Delhi were not meant to be. However, she did not mention any specific security incidents.
In third place, she mentioned Mumbai. While Mumbai is often regarded as one of India's safer metropolitan areas, Hanna reported facing sexual harassment there, leading to some unpleasant memories associated with the city. She acknowledged that many consider Mumbai safe, but her personal experience was different.
Raxaul in Bihar took the second spot. After returning from Nepal, she encountered difficulties finding accommodation there. According to Hanna, several hotels refused to rent her a room due to her foreign status, while others charged her higher rates than usual. She described this as one of the most stressful experiences of her journey.
At the top of her list was Varanasi. Interestingly, Varanasi is also among her favorite Indian cities. Despite this, she noted that it was here she faced the highest number of stalking incidents. She recounted a moment during her travels when she felt the situation could become extremely dangerous, although she did not elaborate on that incident.
At the end of the video, Hanna clarified that she does not consider these cities to be the worst in India. She believes that travel experiences are always complex, and a place can be both beautiful and challenging at the same time. She particularly praised Varanasi, stating it remains one of her favorite cities.
Following the release of the video, social media reactions poured in. Many Indian users expressed their sorrow over her experiences and offered apologies. Some voiced concerns regarding women's safety, while others pointed out that various regions in Northeast and South India are relatively safe. However, it is essential to note that Hanna's views are based on her personal experiences and may not represent the experiences of all travelers.