Key Takeaways
- The #1 reported scam is the The Susukino Rip-Off Bar
- 1 of 3 scams are rated high risk
- Use app-based ride services or official metered taxis — avoid unmarked vehicles near tourist areas
- Never accept unsolicited offers from strangers near tourist sites in Sapporo
⚡ Quick Safety Tips
- Keep phones and valuables in secure pockets when in crowded areas
- Use only licensed taxis or app-based ride services
- Book tours and tickets through verified operators with online reviews
- Keep a copy of your passport separate from the original
Jump to a Scam
The 3 Scams
You're exploring Sapporo's neon-lit Susukino district after a day at the Snow Festival when a ...
You're exploring Sapporo's neon-lit Susukino district after a day at the Snow Festival when a friendly barker on a side street waves you over. 'Great bar upstairs! First drink only 500 yen!' It sounds like a bargain, so you head up the narrow staircase. Inside, the menu is only in Japanese and the hostess orders rounds of snacks and drinks you didn't ask for. An hour later, the bill arrives: 50,000 yen or more. When you protest, large men appear at the door. These bottakuri bars are a known problem in Susukino, and despite a 2022 city ordinance banning barkers, Sapporo's own data shows soliciting incidents reached 48 per hour in the district. As r/japantravel warns, one Reddit user paid an unexpected 16,000 yen surcharge -- and that was considered a mild case.
Red Flags
- A barker on the street actively tries to pull you into an upstairs or basement bar
- The advertised entry price or first-drink price seems too cheap for a sit-down venue
- There is no English menu and staff order items for you without clearly stating prices
- The bar is on an upper floor or in a basement with no street visibility
- Staff become physically intimidating when you question charges or try to leave
How to Avoid
- Never follow a street barker into any bar -- if they're soliciting, they're likely breaking Sapporo's 2022 ordinance
- Choose bars and izakayas listed on Tabelog or Google Maps with verified reviews from other tourists
- Ask for an English menu and confirm all prices before ordering anything
- Stick to the main streets of Susukino and well-lit venues at ground level with visible interiors
- If a bill seems wrong, stay calm, refuse to pay the inflated amount, and call the police (110) -- officers will mediate
You're walking through Odori Park when a man in saffron robes approaches with a serene smile.
He presses a small prayer bead bracelet or golden sticker into your hand and bows. It feels like a kind gesture, so you accept. Then he produces a donation book showing previous entries of 5,000 and 10,000 yen and points expectantly at a blank line. When you try to return the item, he refuses and becomes insistent. As r/japantravel users explain, real Buddhist monks in Japan never approach strangers for money on the street. Genuine monks stand silently with a donation bowl and never initiate contact. These imposters, often flagged near popular shrines across Japan since 2016, have expanded to tourist areas in Sapporo during festival seasons.
Red Flags
- A 'monk' approaches you rather than standing silently in place
- They press a trinket, bracelet, or amulet into your hands without being asked
- A donation book shows suspiciously high previous contributions to pressure you
- They become aggressive or guilt-trip you when you try to return the item or refuse to donate
- They are not near the actual entrance of a shrine or temple but in a park or shopping area
How to Avoid
- Do not accept any item pressed into your hands -- hold your palms up and say 'Kekkou desu' (No, thank you)
- Know that legitimate Japanese monks never approach tourists, ask for money, or give unsolicited items
- If you accidentally accept something, place it on the ground and walk away -- you owe nothing
- Report fake monks to nearby koban (police boxes), which are staffed around major Sapporo attractions
- If you want to donate at a shrine, use the official offering box (saisen-bako) at the entrance
You're wandering Tanukikoji arcade, hungry for Hokkaido's famous crab, when a tout outside a ...
You're wandering Tanukikoji arcade, hungry for Hokkaido's famous crab, when a tout outside a restaurant waves a menu with glossy photos: 'Best king crab in Sapporo! Special price today!' The menu shows a crab set for 3,000 yen -- a steal for king crab. Inside, after you're seated, the actual menu appears with prices two or three times higher. The 'special price' was for a tiny appetizer portion, not a full meal. Your actual crab course arrives at 12,000 yen. As travelers on r/sapporo note, legitimate Hokkaido crab restaurants don't need to employ touts on the street. The quality spots near Nijo Market post clear prices and let the food speak for itself. If someone is pulling you in off the sidewalk, the prices inside will not match the pitch outside.
Red Flags
- A tout stands outside the restaurant actively soliciting passing tourists in English
- The advertised price for crab seems dramatically lower than other restaurants in the area
- The menu shown outside differs from the one provided at the table
- The restaurant is above street level or tucked away where passersby cannot see inside
- Staff are reluctant to confirm the total price of your meal before you order
How to Avoid
- Research crab restaurants in advance on Tabelog, Google Maps, or r/japantravel for honest pricing
- Avoid any restaurant that employs touts -- quality establishments in Sapporo do not need to solicit customers
- Visit Nijo Fish Market stalls where prices are displayed openly and you can see the product before buying
- Ask to see the full menu with prices before sitting down, and confirm the total cost of any set meal
- Budget 5,000-15,000 yen per person for a quality crab meal -- anything below 3,000 yen for king crab is bait
🆘 What to Do If You Get Scammed
📋 File a Police Report
Go to the nearest Japanese Police (Keisatsu) station. Call 110. Get an official crime report — you'll need this for insurance claims. You can also report online at keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp.
💳 Cancel Your Cards
Call your bank immediately. Most have 24/7 numbers on the back of the card (keep a photo saved separately). Block any suspicious transactions before the thieves use your details.
🛂 Lost Passport?
Contact your nearest embassy or consulate. The US Embassy is at 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. For emergencies: +81 3-3224-5000.
📱 Track Your Device
If your phone was stolen, use Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) from another device. Don't confront thieves yourself — share the location with police instead.
Ready to Plan Your Sapporo Trip?
Now you know what to watch for. Get a custom Sapporo itinerary with local tips, hidden spots, and restaurant picks — free.
Plan Your Sapporo Trip →