Overview
Japan has a well-deserved reputation for safety, and serious scams targeting tourists are rare in Kanagawa compared to many global destinations. However, in busy tourist areas and entertainment districts, a small number of establishments and individuals target visitors who are unfamiliar with local customs and pricing.
This guide covers the most common scams you may encounter in Kanagawa, how to recognize them, and practical prevention strategies.
Common Scams and How to Avoid Them
1. The Overpriced Bar / Host Club Scam
How it works: A friendly person near a station or entertainment district invites you to a bar or club, claiming it has "special prices" or "English-speaking staff." After entering, you are charged exorbitant amounts — ¥50,000-¥200,000 for a few drinks — and pressured to pay.
Where it happens:
- Isezaki-cho (Yokohama) — the city's main entertainment district
- Areas near Kawasaki Station
- Dobuita Street (Yokosuka) — some bars targeting military personnel
Prevention tips:
- Never follow touts — any legitimate establishment does not need to solicit customers on the street
- Research in advance — use Google Maps reviews to find reputable bars
- Check prices before entering — legitimate bars display prices outside
- Trust your instincts — if it feels like a scam, walk away
- Use hotel recommendations — your concierge can recommend safe establishments
- Stick to well-known chains — izakaya chains (Watami, Torikizoku, Shirokiya) have fixed, reasonable prices
2. The "Your Hotel Has Closed" Taxi Scam
How it works: A taxi driver (or someone posing as one) tells you your hotel has closed or is under renovation, then offers to take you to an "alternative" hotel — which is actually a partner establishment charging inflated rates.
Prevention tips:
- Use only official taxis — look for the illuminated "Taxi" sign on the roof and the green license plates
- Use ride-hailing apps — GO, Uber, and DiDi show the route and estimated fare upfront
- Confirm with your hotel — call your hotel directly if the driver makes claims about closures
- Show the address in Japanese — have your hotel's business card with its address in Japanese
- Pay by credit card — if possible, to create a record of the transaction
3. The Fake Monk / Temple Donation Scam
How it works: A person dressed as a Buddhist monk approaches you in a tourist area, shows a "donation list," and asks for money for their temple. They may offer a prayer bead or charm in exchange.
Where it happens:
- Approaches near Kamakura's major temples (Hase-dera, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu)
- Enoshima Island pedestrian areas
- Walking paths near Hakone's tourist sites
How to tell the difference:
- Real Buddhist monks in Japan do NOT solicit donations from tourists on the street
- Real monks do NOT approach individuals directly for money
- Official temple donations go into clearly marked offering boxes
- The "donation list" is almost always fake
What to do:
- Politely say "Iie, kekkō desu" (No, thank you) and walk away
- Do not engage in conversation
- Report persistent solicitors to the nearest koban
4. The "Free Gift" Street Vendor Scam
How it works: Someone offers you a "free" gift — a fan, keychain, or small trinket. Once you accept, they demand payment for it or for an accompanying "donation."
Prevention tips:
- Politely decline any unsolicited gifts on the street
- Do not touch items offered by street vendors
- A simple "No thank you" (Iie, kekkō desu) is sufficient
5. The Counterfeit Goods Trap
How it works: Street vendors in tourist areas sell counterfeit brand goods (watches, bags, electronics) at "unbelievably low" prices. Buying or even possessing counterfeit goods is illegal in Japan and can result in fines or confiscation.
Prevention tips:
- Only buy from established stores
- If the price seems too good to be true for a luxury brand, it is counterfeit
- Do not buy electronics from street vendors — they are often defective or non-functional
6. The "Too Cheap" Taxi Fare
How it works: Unlicensed drivers (white license plates instead of green) offer cheaper rides, especially near event venues or late at night.
How to identify a legitimate taxi:
- Green license plate — commercial vehicles (white plates are private vehicles)
- Illuminated "Taxi" sign on the roof
- Meter visible from the back seat
- Driver in uniform — most taxi drivers wear a shirt and tie
Never get into a car with a white license plate that offers paid rides — these are unlicensed and potentially dangerous.
General Prevention Strategies
Before You Go
- Research common scams — awareness is your best defense
- Save emergency numbers — 110 (police), 119 (ambulance)
- Download ride-hailing apps — GO, Uber, DiDi
- Share your itinerary — let someone know your plans
In Tourist Areas
- Walk confidently — even if you are lost, appearing uncertain can attract scammers
- Avoid street touts — any legitimate business does not need to solicit on the street
- Use ATMs inside banks or convenience stores — avoid standalone ATMs in dark areas
- Keep your phone and wallet secure — especially in crowds and on trains
- Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it probably is
If You Are Scammed
- Do not panic — your safety comes first
- Do not pay under threat — your safety is more important than money
- Get to a safe location — enter a convenience store, hotel, or station
- Call 110 — report the incident to police
- Call your embassy — for additional support
- Contact your bank — to cancel compromised cards
- File a police report — needed for insurance claims
What to Do If Approached
| Situation | Safe Response |
|---|---|
| Someone offers you a "free" gift | "Iie, kekkō desu" — walk away |
| Someone invites you to a bar | "Iie, kekkō desu" — keep walking |
| Taxi driver claims your hotel is closed | Call your hotel to confirm |
| "Monk" asks for donation | Say "No" and walk away |
| Someone asks you to sign a petition | Politely decline |
| Stranger asks where you are staying | Do not disclose your accommodation details |
Safe Nightlife in Kanagawa
Recommended Areas
For a safe and enjoyable night out:
| Area | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Noge, Yokohama | ✅ Highly recommended | Local izakayas, friendly atmosphere, no touts on main streets |
| Minato Mirai, Yokohama | ✅ Very safe | Well-lit, patrolled, upscale restaurants and bars |
| Kannai, Yokohama | ✅ Safe | Quiet evenings, waterfront walks |
| Kamakura (Komachi-dori) | ✅ Safe | Shops close early but well-lit until 9PM |
Areas to Exercise Caution
| Area | Caution Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Isezaki-cho, Yokohama | ⚠️ Exercise caution | Entertainment district — touts late at night |
| Kawasaki Station East | ⚠️ Exercise caution | Some touts near pachinko parlors |
🇯🇵 Useful Japanese Phrases for Scam Situations
| English | Japanese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| No, thank you | いいえ、結構です | Iie, kekkō desu |
| I am not interested | 興味がありません | Kyōmi ga arimasen |
| Please leave me alone | 一人にしてください | Hitori ni shite kudasai |
| I will call the police | 警察を呼びます | Keisatsu wo yobimasu |
| Go away! | 行ってください！ | Itte kudasai! |
Practical notes for visitors
The most important scam-prevention tool is simple awareness: if an offer feels too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Japan's consumer protection laws are strong, and genuine businesses rely on repeat customers and reputation — not street-level solicitation. Legitimate bars and restaurants in Kamakura, Yokohama, and Hakone never need touts to bring in customers, especially during peak tourist seasons.
If a tout persistently follows you, entering any convenience store immediately ends the interaction. Store staff are trained to assist customers in distress and can call police if needed. Convenience stores in Japan have direct emergency buttons at the counter and are monitored by security cameras.
Be especially cautious during large events — Kamakura Matsuri (April), Yokohama Fireworks (August), and the Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu (November) attract large crowds where opportunistic scams are slightly more common. During these events, use official venues and transportation, and avoid accepting rides or invitations from individuals approaching you in the crowd.
