These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Япония, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: Genuine monks do not solicit tourists this way. Decline politely, do not take the item, and continue on without engaging.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: Genuine monks do not solicit cash from tourists this way. Decline politely, do not accept the item, and walk on without engaging.
Как это работает: 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.
Как этого избежать: 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.