Street Scams in Hiroshima, Japan
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Hiroshima — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Kyoto, Beijing, and Shanghai.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Street Scams Scams
10
Total in Hiroshima
How it works
Shops immediately adjacent to the Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima Island ferry terminals charge significantly inflated prices for souvenirs and momiji manju (maple leaf cakes). The same items are available much cheaper a short walk away.
How it works
While Japan is extremely safe, pickpockets occasionally operate around busy ATMs and crowded transit stations in Hiroshima. Someone may ask you a question or distract you while an accomplice takes advantage.
How it works
Some souvenir stalls near the Miyajima ferry landing and along Omotesando shopping street sell mass-produced items falsely labeled as locally crafted Miyajima specialties — particularly wooden rice paddles (shamoji) and Momiji manju sweets marketed as handmade but produced industrially off-island. Vendors overcharge relative to equivalent items sold in Hiroshima city and use packaging that implies artisanal provenance it does not have.
See all scams in Hiroshima
10 total warnings across all categories