These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Japán, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: Restaurants right beside the big sights in Gion, Arashiyama and along the temple approaches often charge premium prices for ordinary food, banking on the location and the view rather than the cooking.
Hogyan kerülheted el: Walk a few streets back from the main sight, look for where local workers eat, and check the menu and prices before sitting down. Set lunches and ticket-machine noodle shops give you far better food for the money.
Hogyan működik: Around the busiest temples and stations, someone may offer an informal 'tour' or to lead you somewhere, then steer you to shops or restaurants that pay them a commission, or ask for a fee at the end.
Hogyan kerülheted el: Kyoto is genuinely safe and you rarely need help finding your way, but licensed guides work through registered companies. Decline unsolicited offers and book any tour through a reputable operator or your accommodation.
Hogyan működik: After tourists harassed and chased geiko and maiko, Gion's residents banned photography on the district's private side streets, with a posted fine of ¥10,000 for taking photos there or for other bad behaviour such as sitting on the wooden inuyarai screens.
Hogyan kerülheted el: This is a real etiquette rule, not a scam — respect it. Photograph freely on the main public streets like Hanami-koji, but not down the private alleys, and never photograph a geisha without her clear consent or block her path.
Hogyan működik: Many izakaya (Japanese pubs) automatically serve a small appetiser called otoshi and add a per-person seat charge of a few hundred yen to the bill, which can surprise visitors who did not order it.
Hogyan kerülheted el: This is a normal, legal Japanese custom rather than a trick — factor a few hundred yen per head into an izakaya bill. If you want to avoid it, eat at ticket-machine noodle shops, standing bars or restaurants that do not run a table charge.
Hogyan működik: Japanese taxis are metered and overwhelmingly honest, but very rarely a driver may take a longer route with a tired foreign passenger who cannot follow the roads, padding the fare.
Hogyan kerülheted el: Show the driver your destination on a map, follow the route on your phone, and use the meter (there is no need to negotiate). For fixed long trips like the airport, the train or a booked shuttle is far cheaper and simpler than a taxi.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: Genuine monks do not solicit cash from tourists this way. Decline politely, do not accept the item, and walk on without engaging.
Hogyan működik: 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.
Hogyan kerülheted el: 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.