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Occasional in Japan

Scam in JapanNightlife

Drink drugging followed by large charges in Japan

Some small backstreet nightlife venues, notably in Roppongi and Kabukichō.

How it works

Some visitors have reported being drugged and then charged for drinks they do not remember ordering. These are extreme cases.

Warning signs

  • A stranger steers you into an unfamiliar drinking venue.
  • You suddenly feel much more impaired than expected.

How to avoid it

  1. Do not enter venues recommended by street touts or new acquaintances.
  2. Keep your drink in sight.
  3. Stay with trusted companions and check on each other.
  4. Seek help immediately if you feel unexpectedly unwell.

If it happens to you

Get help from a trusted person and seek urgent medical care if you feel unwell or suspect drugging. Call 119 for an ambulance if needed. Report the incident to the police and contact your card issuer about disputed charges.

  1. Get to a safe public place. Avoid arguments or physical confrontation. Call 110 if you face immediate danger.
  2. If you feel unwell or suspect drink drugging, seek medical help. Call 119 if you need an ambulance.
  3. Freeze missing payment cards or contact your card issuer about disputed charges. Secure affected accounts and devices.
  4. Save receipts, payment records and messages. Write down the venue, time, amount and what happened.
  5. Report theft or lost items at a kōban. Go to a police station for a serious crime or if the kōban is unstaffed. Ask for a report reference.
  6. Contact your insurer about a claim. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing or you need consular help.
What it can costExtreme reports describe charges as high as ¥700,000. This is not a usual price.
Where it happensSome small backstreet nightlife venues, notably in Roppongi and Kabukichō.Tokyo

What travellers report

Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.

More scams in JapanFree-entry clubs that pressure you to buy drinks: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the drink drugging followed by large charges scam in Japan?

Some visitors have reported being drugged and then charged for drinks they do not remember ordering. These are extreme cases.

How can I spot it early?

A stranger steers you into an unfamiliar drinking venue. You suddenly feel much more impaired than expected.

How do I avoid drink drugging followed by large charges in Japan?

Do not enter venues recommended by street touts or new acquaintances. Keep your drink in sight. Stay with trusted companions and check on each other. Seek help immediately if you feel unexpectedly unwell.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Get help from a trusted person and seek urgent medical care if you feel unwell or suspect drugging. Call 119 for an ambulance if needed. Report the incident to the police and contact your card issuer about disputed charges.

Where in Japan does this happen?

Some small backstreet nightlife venues, notably in Roppongi and Kabukichō. It has been reported in Tokyo.

How much can it cost me?

Extreme reports describe charges as high as ¥700,000. This is not a usual price.

How common is this scam in Japan?

Occasional. Japan has very low crime levels, and most visitors have a safe trip. The main scam risks are nightlife touts, inflated bar bills and rare reports of drink drugging. Pickpocketing and theft can also happen, especially in crowds and traveller bars.

Are there similar scams in Japan?

Yes: street touts and inflated bar bills, free-entry clubs that pressure you to buy drinks.

Who can I report it to?

Police in an emergency: call 110 for immediate danger, threats or an urgent crime. Kōban or police station: report thefts and lost items at a nearby kōban. English and Japanese lost-item forms are available, often called the Blue Form. Use a police station for serious crimes or if no officer is available at the kōban. Tokyo General Advisory Center: for non-emergency police advice and language help in Tokyo, call +81 3 3501-0110. English, Korean and Chinese support is available Monday–Friday, 08:30–17:15, except holidays. Prefectural police headquarters: call #9110 for non-emergency police advice. Some locations require a local number instead, and language support varies. Card issuer or bank: use the official banking app or a verified contact number to freeze cards and report unauthorised or disputed payments. Travel insurer: contact the claims service and keep the police report reference, receipts and other evidence. Your embassy or consulate: use its official contact details for help with a missing passport or consular assistance if detained.

What number do I call in an emergency in Japan?

Police emergency: 110, Ambulance and fire: 119.

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