
Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
1. Tourist Information Center Scams
Avoid fake tourist information centers offering overpriced services or scamming travelers. Always look for the official city symbol on the center.
- Official City Symbol: Look for the official city symbol to ensure legitimacy
- High Prices: Be wary of overpriced services or tours as a warning sign
- City Website: Use the city's official website for accurate information
2. Taxi Scams
Avoid taxis without meters or overpriced fares. Use reputable taxi companies and always agree on a price before starting the journey.
- Reputable Companies: Choose taxis from reputable companies
- Metered Taxis: Insist on using taxis with meters to avoid overcharging
- Pre-agreed Price: Always agree on a price before starting the journey
3. Counterfeit Merchandise Scams
Avoid buying souvenirs from unofficial vendors. Look for stores with quality merchandise and check for authenticity.
- Unofficial Vendors: Stay away from unofficial vendors to avoid fake products
- Quality Merchandise: Choose stores with high-quality, well-made merchandise
- Authenticity Checks: Check for authenticity before purchasing souvenirs
4. Street Food Scams
Avoid street food vendors with poor hygiene or suspicious practices. Stick to popular, well-reviewed food stalls.
- Poor Hygiene: Avoid vendors with poor hygiene conditions
- Suspicious Practices: Be wary of unusual or suspicious food handling practices
- Well-reviewed Food Stalls: Choose popular, well-reviewed street food vendors
5. Hotel Scams
Avoid hotels with unrealistic prices or poor reviews. Check multiple sources for accurate hotel information.
- Unrealistic Prices: Be cautious of hotels with significantly lower than average prices
- Poor Reviews: Avoid hotels with consistently poor reviews
- Multiple Sources: Use multiple sources to verify hotel quality and reputation
6. ATM Scams
Avoid ATMs near crowded areas or hidden in alleys. Use ATMs inside banks or well-lit, secure locations.
- Crowded Areas: Stay away from ATMs near crowded areas to avoid potential theft
- Hidden Alleys: Avoid using ATMs hidden in alleys or poorly lit locations
- Banks or Secure Locations: Use ATMs inside banks or secure, well-lit locations
7. Public WiFi Scams
Avoid accessing sensitive information on public WiFi networks. Use a VPN to protect your data.
- Sensitive Information: Never access sensitive information on public WiFi networks
- VPN Usage: Use a VPN to secure your data when using public WiFi networks
8. Exchange Scams
Avoid exchanging money at street vendors or unofficial locations. Use reputable currency exchange offices.
- Street Vendors: Avoid exchanging money with street vendors
- Unofficial Locations: Stay away from unofficial currency exchange locations
- Reputable Offices: Use reputable, official currency exchange offices
9. Criminal Gangs on Bikes Scams
Stay aware of bicycle gangs offering help or trying to distract you. Keep your belongings secure and be vigilant in crowds.
- Bicycle Gangs: Be wary of groups on bicycles offering help or causing distractions
- Belongings Security: Keep your belongings secure and close to you in crowded areas
- Vigilance in Crowds: Stay alert and aware in crowded areas to avoid potential theft
10. Friendly Strangers Scams
Be cautious of overly friendly strangers trying to engage you in conversation or distracting you. Keep your belongings secure and maintain situational awareness.
- Overly Friendly Strangers: Avoid engaging with strangers who seem overly friendly
- Belongings Security: Keep your belongings secure and close to you
- Situational Awareness: Maintain situational awareness to avoid potential scams or theft
11. Fish Tank Scams
Avoid touching or interacting with fish tanks in bars or restaurants. Some establishments may overcharge for drinks or services associated with the tank.
- Touching Fish Tanks: Avoid touching or interacting with fish tanks
- Overcharges for Drinks: Be cautious of overpriced drinks or services associated with the tank
- Reputable Establishments: Choose reputable, well-reviewed establishments
12. Car Rental Scams
Avoid car rental companies with poor reviews or unrealistic prices. Thoroughly inspect the vehicle before driving off and take photos for evidence.
- Poor Reviews: Avoid car rental companies with consistently poor reviews
- Unrealistic Prices: Be cautious of unrealistically low or high prices
- Thorough Inspection: Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before driving off and take photos as evidence
13. Ferry Scams
Avoid overpriced or unlicensed ferry operators. Check for the operator's license and compare prices with other ferry services.
- Overpriced Operators: Be cautious of ferry operators charging significantly higher prices
- Unlicensed Operators: Check for the operator's license to ensure legitimacy
- Price Comparison: Compare prices with other ferry services before making a decision
14. Bogus Police Scams
Be aware of fake police officers asking for bribes or demanding personal information. Always ask to see their identification and contact the local police station if necessary.
- Bribes: Do not pay any bribes to alleged police officers
- Personal Information: Never share personal information with strangers claiming to be police officers
- Identification Verification: Ask to see their identification and contact the local police station if necessary
15. Shrine Scams
Avoid offering money or items at shrines without knowing their significance. Research the customs and practices of local shrines before visiting.
- Offering Money or Items: Do not offer money or items at shrines without understanding their significance
- Customs and Practices: Research the customs and practices of local shrines before visiting
- Local Guides or Staff: Seek guidance from local guides or staff at shrines for proper etiquette