Question 1

What is the "Fake Short-Term Rental Listings Near Hakata Station" scam in Fukuoka?

Accepted Answer

Fraudulent vacation rental listings advertise apartments near Hakata Station or Canal City at suspiciously low nightly rates. After payment is made through unofficial channels, the property either does not exist or the host cancels at the last minute citing maintenance issues. Victims are left stranded and unable to recover funds paid outside of protected booking platforms. Book only through major platforms such as Booking.com, Airbnb, or Agoda that offer guest protection. Avoid private payment requests via LINE or PayPay before your stay is confirmed by the platform.

Question 2

What is the "Guesthouse Hidden Cleaning Fee Surprise" scam in Fukuoka?

Accepted Answer

Some budget guesthouses and capsule hotels near Tenjin and Hakata Station advertise room rates that exclude a mandatory cleaning or facility fee disclosed only at check-in. The fee can add 10–20% to the total cost. Staff may claim this is a standard Japanese hospitality practice to deflect complaints. Confirm the total all-inclusive price in writing when booking. Check reviews on Google Maps or TripAdvisor specifically mentioning hidden fees before booking.

Accommodation Scams in Fukuoka

Fake Short-Term Rental Listings Near Hakata Station

Guesthouse Hidden Cleaning Fee Surprise

Experienced a scam here?