Secure transportation & Security Drivers in Tokyo, Japan

Secure travel for VIPs across Tokyo and the rest of Japan

Tokyo is the capital of Japan. With over 14 million residents, it’s the world’s second most populous city after Beijing, China. There are over 41 million residents in the metropolitan area, making Tokyo the world’s most populous.

Shinjuku is the administrative centre and site of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, while Shibuya is the city’s commercial, cultural and business hub. Although the Tokyo Stock Exchange has diminished since the ‘bubble burst’ in the 1990s, the city is still home to many of the world’s largest companies and has the second largest economy after the USA.

It’s estimated that there are almost 300,000 individuals worth over $1million US in Tokyo as of 2024 – the third highest concentration of ultra-high net worth people in the world.

We provide secure transport in Tokyo for high-end business and social travel.

Secure transportation in Tokyo

Tokyo is on the coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island. The mainland portion is northwest of Tokyo Bay and measures about 90km (56 mi) x 25km (16 mi), with average elevation of 40m (131ft) above sea level. The western area is mountainous, the east is mostly tropical savanna. 36% of the Tokyo area is forest.

Secure transportation is important for executives and their entourages to access their destinations in Tokyo conveniently and safely. Common destinations include investment banks, insurance companies, as well as the entertainment and shopping centres which are mostly concentrated in the Odaiba area.

Luxury hotels where our clients typically stay include the Imperial Hotel, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, and Hotel Okura Tokyo.

When it comes to a comfortable trip, just let us know what you need, and our concierge service is there to advise. For example, as Tokyo is a place where fine dining opportunities abound, we can make recommendations.

Security drivers in Tokyo

Tokyo (formerly known as Edo) comprises 62 municipalities, 23 wards (these make up the area which was known as Tokyo City until 1943), 26 cities, 5 towns and 8 villages, as well as two outlying island chains.

Japanese is the most widely spoken language. Although our security drivers speak English, we also provide interpreters so communication locally won’t be an issue.

To comply with local laws, our drivers carry the International Driving Permit, driving licence and insurance documents. They are not just ordinary chauffeurs. They’re all trained to a high standard of security driving.

Security vehicles in Tokyo

Public transport is good in Tokyo so private car ownership is low compared with the rest of Japan. That said, we supply luxury security vehicles for private transport in the area.

If necessary, we can source armoured vehicles and armed drivers for maximum protection.

Roads are well-maintained and driving is on the left. There are four road categories – private, municipal, metropolitan, and expressways where there may be tolls to pay. Speed limits usually max out at 60-80 km/h as even main roads are relatively winding.

Tokyo has two airports – Haneda and Narita – while boats and helicopters are the primary way of connecting the islands to the mainland. Note that we can also arrange private aviation if required.

Overview of Tokyo

The climate is humid sub-tropical, warmest in August and coolest in January. Summers are wetter and winters drier. There’s usually some snow every year. There are annual typhoons, but not strong ones. The tropical cyclone season is June to December, peaking between July and September.

It’s an active region for small earthquakes that make the urban area sway like a boat – there can be hundreds of such earth movements every year, but they rarely cause any damage. Direct and large quakes are rare.

Mount Fuji is southwest of the city, and there is a low risk of eruptions.

With multiple rivers and high rainfall, flooding can be likely in low-lying areas, and there’s a huge system of dams, levees and tunnels to help manage the risk.

There are plenty of theatres, museums, art galleries and zoos to see, numerous temples and shrines worth visiting, and multiple skyscrapers including Tokyo Skytree which is the world’s tallest tower (the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world’s tallest structure). According to a 2022 government survey, the most visited areas in Tokyo include Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ginza.

Security risks in Tokyo

In many global surveys, Tokyo is ranked the world’s most liveable and safest city. The people are notoriously polite, drug abuse barely happens, and crime is almost zero.

Note that smoking is illegal on the streets of Tokyo. Also, people with tattoos may be refused admission to some public facilities (in Japan, tattoos are associated with organised crime).

Violent crime

Tensions can arise between Japan and North Korea and bombs have been exchanged. The yazuka gangs continue to operate in most cities, but most crime in Tokyo these days is ‘white collar’ such as credit card fraud.

Non-violent crime

Roppongi is the place where it’s known for tourists to be hustled. Kabukicho one of the red-light districts where there can be street touts, extortion, robbery and assault.

Terrorism

It’s not impossible for terrorists to target Tokyo or anywhere else, so our security drivers stay aware of developments, and know what to do in the worst-case scenario.

Riots

Violent demonstrations and civil disturbance are rare in Tokyo. If protests arise, our drivers will get their passengers safely away.

Events

Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in 1954 and 2021 (postponed from 2020), and the G7 Summits in 1979, 1986 and 1993. Among the most popular events are the cherry-blossom viewing of springtime, the winter illuminations, and festivals featuring portable shrines, water-splashing or fireworks.

For security drivers in Tokyo
Contact us