Other Tourist Scams in Kobe, Japan
Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. Below are the other scams scams reported in Kobe — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Beijing, Kyoto, and Busan.
Last updated: April 9, 2026
1
Other Scams Scams
10
Total in Kobe
How it works
In the Sannomiya entertainment district around Sannomiya Station and the Kita-Nagasadori nightlife blocks, some bars and hostess-adjacent venues invite tourists in with promises of low-priced drinks or a "free first drink," then present bills that include undisclosed table charges (席料, sekiryo), snack fees, or service charges that were not mentioned at entry. Bills of ¥5,000–15,000 for what appeared to be a two-drink evening are occasionally reported on travel forums.
See all scams in Kobe
10 total warnings across all categories