Scam in JapanNightlife
Street touts and inflated bar bills in Japan
How it works
Someone on the street urges you to enter a bar or club. Once inside, you may face very high entry charges or drink prices. Tokyo's Roppongi and Kabukichō have specific warnings about this. Some hostess bars in Hiroshima's Nagarekawa may also overcharge. Staff also approach visitors outside host and hostess bars around Kyoto's Kiyamachi, though overcharging there is not specifically described.
Warning signs
- A stranger urges you to follow them into a bar or club.
- Staff keep pushing you to enter.
- Entry charges or drink prices are unclear.
How to avoid it
- Choose your own venue before going out.
- Do not follow street touts or recommendations from someone you just met.
- Check entry charges and drink prices before entering.
- Leave before ordering if staff will not explain the full cost.
If it happens to you
Ask for an itemised bill if it is safe. Avoid an argument. Get to a safe place and contact the police if you are threatened or a tout will not leave you alone.
- Get to a safe public place. Avoid arguments or physical confrontation. Call 110 if you face immediate danger.
- If you feel unwell or suspect drink drugging, seek medical help. Call 119 if you need an ambulance.
- Freeze missing payment cards or contact your card issuer about disputed charges. Secure affected accounts and devices.
- Save receipts, payment records and messages. Write down the venue, time, amount and what happened.
- 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.
- Contact your insurer about a claim. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing or you need consular help.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/JapanTravel2024Scammed and Police not helpfulA traveller reports being threatened over an ¥82,000 Ginza lounge bill that included other people's drinks and paying ¥55,000 to leave safely.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/Tokyo2023Son of Coworker got ripped off?Commenters discussing a visitor's large bill describe touts promising inexpensive drinks before bars impose enormous table and drink charges.Read on Reddit
- Government adviceSafety and security - Japan travel advice - GOV.UKBritish travel advice warns that street touts misrepresent venues and that disputes over excessive bar bills have led to arrests of British nationals.Read on Government advice
Questions
What is the street touts and inflated bar bills scam in Japan?
Someone on the street urges you to enter a bar or club. Once inside, you may face very high entry charges or drink prices. Tokyo's Roppongi and Kabukichō have specific warnings about this. Some hostess bars in Hiroshima's Nagarekawa may also overcharge. Staff also approach visitors outside host and hostess bars around Kyoto's Kiyamachi, though overcharging there is not specifically described.
How can I spot it early?
A stranger urges you to follow them into a bar or club. Staff keep pushing you to enter. Entry charges or drink prices are unclear.
How do I avoid street touts and inflated bar bills in Japan?
Choose your own venue before going out. Do not follow street touts or recommendations from someone you just met. Check entry charges and drink prices before entering. Leave before ordering if staff will not explain the full cost.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Ask for an itemised bill if it is safe. Avoid an argument. Get to a safe place and contact the police if you are threatened or a tout will not leave you alone.
Where in Japan does this happen?
Small backstreet bars, hostess bars and clubs, especially in red-light districts. It has been reported in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto.
How much can it cost me?
Drinks at some gentlemen's clubs in Roppongi cost ¥5,000 and up. No usual amount is given for inflated bills.
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: drink drugging followed by large charges, 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.
Reviewed by @snuck