Travelers should be aware that not all invitations to be friendly will come with good intentions when visiting Tokyo at night; many scams are being perpetrated against visitors, with a growing number of complaints from tourists, especially in popular night-time districts. You don’t have to stay away from Tokyo — being alert might save the day when it comes to your safety.
There have been many reports from tourists claiming that they woke up the next morning with no recollection of the previous day and counted several thousands on their credit cards. Many of these stories included having been given contaminated drinks at the same bar or club.
Authorities have identified several areas in Tokyo that are of concern to visitors, including but not limited to, Kabukicho (Shinjuku), Roppongi, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro. All of these areas are famous for their nightlife and as a result, will be heavily targeted for scams aimed at international travelers.
Most of these scams will begin when a street promoter approaches the unsuspecting tourist and invites him into a bar or club or restaurant, claiming that he will offer the tourist a special deal such as cheap drinks. Sounds like a good deal? That is exactly what they want you to think, so they can scam you out of your money.
Once you enter an establishment, things can change in an instant. Drinks may have been tampered with before you ever arrive, and people often report experiences where they lost track of time or consciousness after consuming such drinks. When they wake up, they are often confronted with shocking bills; anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars in foreign currency.
Disputes over those charges frequently become escalating disputes between tourists and local authorities, after the tourist has had an argument with staff or security. This transforms a night out into a stressful event, which is not what anyone has in mind.
Interestingly, this problem is not confined to one location. Although Kabukicho in Shinjuku is often referred to as the problem area, many areas that are considered nightlife districts have the same risk of having problems. So this is more about people’s behaviour than where they are.
So how does one maintain their safety while enjoying themselves? There are a few simple habits that will make a difference. Do not accept drinks from someone you do not know well, even if they seem friendly. Additionally, keep your drink within your eyesight at all times.
Check menus and costs before entering any establishment. If something seems unclear or rushed, that’s usually a red flag and reason to leave. If you take a few extra seconds at the beginning of the evening, you will usually save hours of headaches later.
Also, only take with you what you will need for that night, and leave other valuables at home. Only carry cash and credit/debit cards in secure, concealed areas. In addition to being prudent, this adds an additional layer of protection.
Regulatory restrictions on certain activities and street solicitation do not stop those events from occurring; therefore, relying exclusively on regulations is insufficient; YOU must also remain vigilant.
Tokyo is considered to be among the safest places in the world as a whole. While these examples of bad behavior do not represent Tokyo as a destination, they are isolated incidents that may be avoided. You can find people visiting Tokyo and having good experiences without any of these types of things happening to them.
You can enjoy your experience in Tokyo’s night clubs; however, you will need to utilize more caution than normal. Don’t accept random invitations, follow your gut feeling during an experience, and stay aware of your surroundings at all times while you are in a club.
The only difference between having a good evening and having a bad story to tell at a later date is often just one decision that you make during your stay in Tokyo.
