Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

All Topics about Yokohama All Cities in Japan

1. Taxi Scams

Watch for drivers who refuse to use the meter or claim a flat rate. Stick to licensed taxis and avoid solicitation on the street.

Unmetered Fares: Drivers may try to charge an unfair price without using the meter.
Flat Rate Scams: Drivers might claim a flat rate, which is usually much higher than the actual fare.
Street Solicitation: Taxis solicited on the street may not be licensed and could overcharge.

Be wary of shops selling counterfeit goods in areas like the Bayside District. Buy only from authorized dealers or official stores.

Counterfeit Products: Shops may sell fake goods, which can be of poor quality and potentially dangerous.
Unauthorized Dealers: Purchasing from unauthorized dealers can lead to disputes over product authenticity.
Health & Safety Risks: Counterfeit electronics, for example, may pose a fire hazard or malfunction unexpectedly.

Avoid eating from street food stalls that appear unhygienic or do not follow proper food safety practices.

Unsanitary Conditions: Street food stalls with poor hygiene can lead to foodborne illnesses.
Expired Food: Food that is past its expiration date can cause sickness.
Cross-Contamination: improper handling and preparation of food can lead to cross-contamination, causing foodborne illnesses.

Stay aware of your belongings, especially in crowded tourist attractions like Minato Mirai and Yamashita Park.

Crowded Attractions: Pickpockets often target tourists in areas with large crowds.
Distraction Techniques: Thieves may use distractions, such as bumping into you or spilling something on you, to steal your belongings.
Unattended Bags or Purses: Leaving bags or purses unattended can make them an easy target for pickpockets.

Use ATMs located inside banks or malls to avoid skimming devices. Cover the keypad with your other hand when entering your PIN.

Skimming Devices: ATMs with attached skimming devices can capture your card and PIN information.
Unsecured ATMs: ATMs that are not located in secure areas, such as banks or malls, may be more vulnerable to skimming.
Observing for Skimmers: Check the ATM for any unusual attachments before using it. If anything looks suspicious, do not use the machine.

Purchase tickets only from authorized vendors or official websites to avoid fraud. Be wary of overpriced tickets offered by street vendors.

Overpriced Tickets: Street vendors may sell tickets at inflated prices.
Counterfeit Tickets: Counterfeit tickets can be difficult to distinguish and will not grant entry to attractions.
Unauthorized Vendors: Purchasing from unauthorized vendors could lead to disputes over ticket authenticity.

Book accommodations through reputable websites or agencies to avoid overpricing. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

Overpriced Rooms: Rooms offered at significantly higher prices than the market rate may be a scam.
Unlicensed Accommodations: Staying in unlicensed accommodations can lead to disputes over quality and safety.
Fraudulent Reviews: Accommodations with numerous positive reviews may be using fake accounts to deceive potential guests.

Exchange money at banks or authorized exchange centers to avoid unfavorable exchange rates. Be wary of street vendors offering exchange services.

Street Vendors: Street vendors may offer unfavorable exchange rates.
Unauthorized Exchange Centers: Exchange centers that are not authorized by the government may provide poor exchange rates.
Hidden Fees: Some vendors may charge hidden fees for their exchange services, making the actual exchange rate less favorable.

Use reputable internet cafes and avoid leaving valuables unattended. Be aware of any unusual activity on your devices.

Unsecured Internet Cafes: Internet cafes with poor security measures may be vulnerable to hacking.
Malware Infections: Using infected computers can lead to the theft of personal information.
Device Theft: Leaving valuable devices unattended can make them an easy target for thieves.

Book guided tours through reputable agencies or official websites. Be wary of unsolicited offers for tours from street vendors.

Unsolicited Offers: Street vendors may offer fraudulent tours to unwary tourists.
Poor Quality Guides: Guides offering low prices may not provide comprehensive or knowledgeable guidance.
Hidden Fees: Tours with hidden fees can lead to unexpected charges at the end of the tour.

Be wary of street collections for charities and only donate to recognized organizations. Research charities before giving donations.

Street Collections: Street collections may not be legitimate, and the collected funds may not go towards their intended purpose.
Unrecognized Organizations: Charities that are not recognized by the government or reputable organizations may not use donations effectively.
Counterfeit Donation Boxes: Donation boxes with counterfeit logos can be a scam to collect money without supporting any charitable cause.

Avoid bars or clubs with aggressive solicitation tactics. Stick to establishments with a good reputation and clear pricing.

Aggressive Solicitation: Aggressive bar or club staff may try to pressure you into entering their establishment or purchasing drinks.
Hidden Charges: Some bars or clubs may charge hidden fees for drinks, cover charges, or transportation.
Unsafe Conditions: Bars or clubs with poor safety standards, such as inadequate security measures or unsafe construction, can pose a risk to visitors.

Only connect to secure, password-protected Wi-Fi networks. Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, as they can be a security risk.

Unsecured Networks: Public Wi-Fi networks without password protection can be easily accessed by others, putting your personal information at risk.
Malware Infections: Connecting to unsecured networks can expose your device to malware and hacking attempts.
Data Theft: Unsecured Wi-Fi networks can allow others to intercept your data transmissions, including sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.

Be wary of individuals who claim to speak fluent Japanese but have limited proficiency. Seek assistance from reputable sources if needed.

Limited Proficiency: Individuals may exaggerate their language skills to take advantage of tourists.
Misinformation: Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and potential scams.
Unnecessary Expenses: Individuals claiming language proficiency may try to charge for unnecessary services or inflate prices.

Check your Japanese yen carefully, as counterfeit bills may be difficult to distinguish. Exchange large amounts of money at banks.

Difficulty Identifying Counterfeits: Counterfeit bills can be difficult to distinguish from genuine ones, making it easy for them to go unnoticed.
Large Amounts of Money: Exchanging large amounts of money at unauthorized exchange centers or street vendors increases the risk of receiving counterfeit bills.
Dispute Resolution: If you receive a counterfeit bill, it can be difficult to dispute it if you exchanged it at an unauthorized location.