Online ScamsTokyo, Japan

Fake Japan Rail Pass site charged $450 for a $250 pass

Scam date: 2025-05-08 Reported: 2026-02-02

I bought a "Japan Rail Pass" from a lookalike site for $450. The real site sells it for about $250. The voucher arrived and worked, but the markup is pure scam. Only buy from the official site or authorized resellers.

More reports in Japan

Accommodation

Airbnb host in Shinjuku demanded a "company policy" fee in cash

📍 Tokyo, Japan

🗓️ Scam date: 14 July 2025

📝 Reported: 29 May 2026

The host insisted on a "cleaning fee in cash on arrival, company policy" of ¥15,000. When we refused he threatened to cancel. Airbnb support confirmed it was against the rules. Never pay anything outside the platform.

Restaurants & Bars

Kabukicho tout lured us into a bar with a 50,000 yen bill

📍 Tokyo, Japan

🗓️ Scam date: 3 October 2025

📝 Reported: 17 April 2026

A tout in Kabukicho promised "nice Japanese bar, first drink free". Inside, two "hostesses" ordered drinks continuously and the bill hit ¥50,000. The bouncer blocked the exit until we paid. Never follow touts in Tokyo.

Shopping

Tsukiji "sample" seafood sold as premium at 5x

📍 Tokyo, Japan

🗓️ Scam date: 27 June 2025

📝 Reported: 17 March 2026

At Tsukiji Outer Market, a stall gave us a "free sample" of wagyu skewers then served us a "premium platter" we never ordered — ¥15,000 for two people. They refused to take it back. Order only what you point at, and confirm the price first.