Known for the incredible politeness of its population, Japan is a country that has it all.

With its world-famous cuisine, its love for technology, strange festivals, and nature, Japan isn’t the cheapest location for a backpacker. It is, however, one that is definitely rewarding and a trip many of our backpackers would care to repeat.

Japan is also an incredibly safe location for tourists and locals alike. It does, however, have a nefarious few who do their level best to scam tourists off their hard-earned money. It is therefore wise to be on the lookout and not get complacent on account of Japan’s reputation for being safe.

1. The English lesson scam

Foreigners touring Japan have been known to encounter individuals who approach them with requests for practicing their English. They will, in turn, promise the tourist a tour around the city and a few places only the locals know of.

The places the tourist is taken to, however, turn out to b shops and restaurants with higher than normal prices as the local is in cahoots with their owners in order to earn a commission.

How to avoid- Japanese people are very polite and are usually reserved. It is therefore rather rare to find locals interacting freely with tourists. It is therefore wise to be wary of those who are overly friendly.

2. The coin swap

Some dishonest vendors and taxi drivers have been known to swap coins that are of lower value but look similar when giving change back to tourists.

How to avoid- familiarize yourself with the local coins and notes. Count your change once it’s given back to you.

3. Fake monks

The fake months are those con men who dress in the garbs of monks and stand outside train stations or places with high numbers of tourists in order to collect donations.

Some might even attempt to thrust cheap trinkets that are supposedly blessed in order to collect donations.

How to avoid- real monks do not beg nor sell charms to gather donations. It is therefore wise to avoid those monks who request for donations.

4. Drink spiking

Lone travelers who patronize bars that might be considered rather seedy have been known to have their drinks spiked and robbed of possessions.

How to avoid- do your research and steer clear of bars that might be considered seedy. Traveling with a group is also a good idea.

You might also want to consider reading our post on drink spiking here.

5. Attractive locals

Lone men have been known to attract beautiful local girls who flirtatiously invite them for drinks at bars they know of. The girls once at the bar orders drinks and keeps the victim ordering more and more using various seductive tactics.

The girls then excuse themselves, at which point an exorbitantly high bar bill is presented to the victim.

How to avoid- steer clear of locals who take a sudden interest in you. Such interest is motivated by ulterior motives and should be ignored.

6. Fake police officers

Con men dressed as police officers have been known to stop foreigners in their tracks and ask for bogus papers that need not be carried. These foreigners would then be forced to hand over bribes in order for their release.

How to avoid- call the police hotline and verify the identity of the policemen. We also recommend insisting that the police take you to a police station sort out any further matters.

7. Relief scams

Con men and women in the guise of collecting relief for disaster-stricken areas/poverty-stricken children are known to appeal to foreigners in order to collect funds.

The money offered helps no one but these con men.

How to avoid- steer clear of them

8. Massage parlors

Touts advertising messages have been known to incentivize tourists with discounts. If accepted, the tourist it then has taken to a less than reputable looking location and robbed during or even before any massage could be provided.

How to avoid- steer clear of anything touts have to offer. Reputable places with authentic massages have no need for touts.