Other Tourist Scams in Nara, Japan
Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. Below are the other scams scams reported in Nara — 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
1
Other Scams Scams
10
Total in Nara
How it works
Individuals posing as licensed temple photographers approach visitors near the Great Buddha Hall entrance at Todai-ji and offer to take professional photos for a stated "small fee." After taking several shots on the tourist's own phone, they switch to claiming payment for a separate "session" using their own camera and demand 2,000–5,000 yen for prints or a digital transfer that never materialises. Some operate in pairs where one distracts while the other handles payment.
See all scams in Nara
10 total warnings across all categories