These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Japan, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
How it works: A person dressed as a Buddhist monk approaches near Peace Memorial Park or Miyajima, hands over a bracelet or charm, and presses you to sign a book and donate a set amount once you've touched the item.
How to avoid it: Genuine monks don't solicit cash from tourists this way anywhere in Japan. Decline politely, don't accept the item in the first place, and continue walking.
How it works: A stranger strikes up a friendly conversation near a nightlife area and insists on taking you to their 'favourite' bar, which turns out to have inflated, undisclosed prices once the bill arrives.
How to avoid it: Be pleasant but firm about choosing your own venue rather than following a new acquaintance's recommendation. Check prices before ordering anything at an unfamiliar bar.
How it works: A handful of souvenir shops right outside Peace Memorial Park and near the Miyajima ferry terminal price items well above what the same goods cost a short walk further away.
How to avoid it: Compare a few shops before buying, especially for momiji manju and other packaged sweets, which are sold at consistent prices at supermarkets and station shops across the city.
How it works: In Gion, people in rented kimono or costume pose as geisha, or aggressive photographers chase real maiko, sometimes charging tourists for a 'photo opportunity' or blocking private lanes.
How to avoid it: Do not pay strangers for photos and do not chase or crowd working geisha. Respect posted no-photography rules on private streets, and book a proper cultural experience if you want photos.
How it works: Someone offers a 'free' or cheap guided walk around the temples or Gion, then pressures you for a large fee or steers you into shops that pay them commission.
How to avoid it: Use only reputable, clearly priced tours booked in advance. Decline unsolicited guides, and never agree to an open-ended 'tip me what you like' arrangement.
How it works: A small number of drivers take long routes to hilltop sights, claim the meter is broken, or quote an inflated flat fare to popular temples.
How to avoid it: Insist on the meter, use official taxi ranks or a hailing app, and check the route on your phone. Know that buses and trains reach most sights cheaply.
How it works: A person dressed as a monk near busy temple approaches, offers a bracelet or card, and presses you to sign a book and donate a set amount.
How to avoid it: Genuine monks do not solicit tourists this way. Decline politely, do not take the item, and continue on without engaging.
How it works: The park's deer crackers have a single fixed official price, but a visitor in a hurry might buy from an unofficial seller or vending spot at an inflated rate, or be pressured into buying several packs at once.
How to avoid it: Buy from the licensed stalls with the official signage, where the price is set and supports the deer foundation. One pack goes a long way, so there is no need to stock up, and you can always buy more.
How it works: A taxi driver may accept a very short fare from the station to a temple that is an easy and pleasant ten-minute walk away, and traffic near the park can make the ride slow as well as unnecessary.
How to avoid it: The main sights cluster within walking distance of the stations and each other. Check the short walking route first, and save taxis for genuinely distant spots, luggage or the end of a long day.
How it works: Rarely, a friendly stranger may attach themselves as an informal guide around Todai-ji or the park, then ask for a fee, or a private tour may be sold at a steep markup over the simple entry ticket.
How to avoid it: You do not need a guide to enjoy the sights, and official information is well signposted in English. Decline politely, and book any real guided tour through a reputable operator with a clear published price.
How it works: Restaurants and stalls right at the busiest park entrances can charge more for ordinary dishes than places a few streets away, trading on the convenient location rather than the quality.
How to avoid it: Walk a block or two into Naramachi or the side streets for better-value local food. Look for places busy with Japanese diners and clear set-lunch prices displayed outside.
How it works: Shops near the main sights may price standard souvenirs high or push a 'special local' item at a premium, counting on visitors not comparing prices.
How to avoid it: Prices in Japan are generally fixed and haggling is not customary, so simply compare a couple of shops. Regular supermarkets and station shops often sell the same snacks and sweets for less.
How it works: A street tout in Dotonbori or Shinsaibashi shows you a laminated menu with attractive prices and leads you upstairs to a bar, where a completely different, much higher-priced menu appears once you're seated, and the bill arrives loaded with charges nobody mentioned.
How to avoid it: Never follow a street tout to a bar. Pick venues from reviews, confirm all prices and any cover charge before ordering anything, and pay by card so a padded charge can be disputed.
How it works: A person dressed as a Buddhist monk approaches near tourist areas, hands over a bracelet or charm, and presses you to sign a book and donate a set amount once you've touched it.
How to avoid it: Genuine monks in Japan do not solicit cash from tourists this way. Decline politely, don't accept the item in the first place, and keep walking.
How it works: Unlicensed street touts in Sapporo's Susukino nightlife district approach passers-by, especially after midnight, offering cheap drinks or a 'good' bar or club, then lead them to venues that overcharge once seated.
How to avoid it: Ignore anyone who approaches you on the street offering a bar recommendation; this kind of street touting is illegal in Japan and a reliable sign to walk away. Choose venues from reviews instead.
How it works: A small number of drivers, mostly around busy tourist hubs like Odori Park or Sapporo Station, may take a deliberately longer route or be slow to start the meter, padding the final fare.
How to avoid it: Confirm the meter is running as you set off, and use a well-known taxi app or a hotel-called taxi if you're unsure. The vast majority of Sapporo taxi drivers are straightforwardly honest.
How it works: In parts of Roppongi and Kabukicho, some bars and clubs quote a low entry then add huge undisclosed charges, cover fees and drinks, producing a shocking bill enforced by staff.
How to avoid it: Avoid venues you are steered to by touts, check all prices and cover charges in writing before ordering, and choose well-reviewed bars. Pay with a card so a charge can be disputed.
How it works: In a few nightlife bars a traveller's drink is spiked, and they later find large unauthorised charges on their card or are pressured to keep spending.
How to avoid it: Never leave a drink unattended, be wary of overly friendly strangers who insist on a specific bar, and keep your card in sight. If you feel unwell, leave and seek help.
How it works: A person dressed as a monk approaches near tourist areas, hands you a bracelet or card, and presses you to sign a book and donate a set amount.
How to avoid it: Genuine monks do not solicit cash from tourists this way. Decline politely, do not accept the item, and walk on without engaging.
How it works: Touts on the street in nightlife areas promise cheap drinks or a good club, then lead you to a venue that overcharges or is unsafe.
How to avoid it: Ignore street touts entirely and pick your own venue from reviews. Following a tout is the single most common way visitors end up with a padded bill.