[AaronSensei]

Well, I awoke the other morning to find that I had failed to not only lock my car door, but failed to even close it. It might has well been left wide open--it was ajar. Inside were all my business materials including my laptop.
Nothing was touched.
So, I'd say that Northern Tochigi (Nasushiobara/Kuroiso) is a safe place to live. But unless you know some of the locals, you'll also find it a boring place to live.
I didn't know a soul for my first six months and I was very lonely and bored. I've since met some nice people that go out of there way to show me around and make me feel welcome.