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Japan
14 scams
Japan is where old meets new. Here, well preserved traditional structures and ancient practices stand tall amidst the many high tech and modern cities.
The country is also a very safe place to visit, though there are some tourist targeted scams (e.g. in bars; donations) to watch out for.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- Police: 110
- Fire, ambulance: 119
- English helpline in Tokyo: 03-3501-0110 (Monday to Friday, 08.30 – 17.15)
Travel resources
Disaster relief scam in Japan
6 0How it works: Well-dressed, English speaking middle aged individuals/Filipinas will approach and show you documentation about a recent disaster. They’ll be very polite and well-educated on the impact of the…
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Thai orphans scam in Japan
6 0How it works: A stranger approaches and shares with you a range of information about Thai orphans and the struggles they have. Next, you will be asked to make a…
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Roppongi/Shinjuku bar scams in Japan
6 0How it works: Version 1: kyakuhiki (customer pullers) employed by shady bars tell you of offers at established bars and offer to bring you there. On the way however, he…
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Magic dancing doll scam in Japan
4 0How it works: Opening: on the streets, you see a man who claims to use “magic” to control a paper doll. He will make the doll move without touching it…
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Otter cafés’ sources in Japan
2 0How it works: Since a TV program in Japan in 2014, the popularity of otters has spiked leading to a boom in the number of otter cafes. However, where have…
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Fake monks in Japan
2 2How it works: Version 1: A man dressed in robes claiming to be from Bhutan tells you how he is travelling and wants you to pray with him for world…
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Sexual harassment on train in Japan
2 0How it works: There is a risk of groping due to the insanely crowded and packed trains (some at 160% capacity!). In fact, it was estimated that ~70% of high…
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Restaurant scams in Japan
1 0How it works: Situation: Most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest. Set-up: Step 1: a tout…
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Pickpockets in Japan
1 0How it works: Although Japan is really safe and street crime is rare, there are still occasional cases of pickpocketing – usually perpetrated by foreign gangs. There have also been…
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Kinkaku-ji Temple vendor scam in Japan
1 0How it works: Around the area, one trick used by vendors is to return a smaller amount of change and then claim that you paid with a smaller note. Places…
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Fake police in Japan
1 0How it works: Situation: this scam got so out of hand that in 2014, it was covered in the Japan Times. Set-up: fake officers will approach and ask to see…
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Prostitution scam in Japan
1 0How it works: Step 1: a tout asks if you’d like to meet a girl. You are then shown images of girls and asked to pay a fee. You are…
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Staged car accidents in Japan
1 0How it works: Situation: done to win payoffs and drivers are threatened to pay as well to not be sued. Version 1, an elderly Chinese was awarded 100,000 Yen in…
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Vacation apartment scams in Japan
1 0How it works: Situation: real estate fraud is rather rare in Japan though you may come across fake apartment listings. Red flags: cheap prices, copy-pasted description, dodgy sounding reviews, difference…
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