Tokyo is one of the safest large cities in the world. Its airports are clean, well-staffed, and monitored. The crime rate is low by any standard.
That precision is exactly what scammers exploit.
A taxi driver quotes ¥35,000 for a trip to Shinjuku when the official flat rate is less than half that. A kiosk near the Narita arrivals exit sells Suica cards at double the price. A shoulder taps you on the Yamanote Line, and your wallet is gone before you reach Shibuya.
These scams are not organized crime rings. They are opportunistic operators who know that jet-lagged tourists arriving in an unfamiliar city do not know what a legal fare looks like, where to buy a transit card, or which crowded train is worth waiting for the next one.
This guide covers the five most common schemes at Tokyo's two airports — Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) — and what to do about each one.
1. The Narita Taxi Overcharge: Meter vs. Flat Rate
Narita Airport is 60 kilometers east of central Tokyo. A metered taxi ride to Shinjuku or Shibuya costs between ¥25,000 and ¥35,000 depending on traffic, time of day, and route. That is the number most drivers will quote if you let them run the meter.
What many tourists do not know is that the Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association (THTA) has a fixed-fare (teigaku) system for Narita Airport. Licensed taxis operating under this system charge a flat rate of approximately ¥14,000 to ¥20,000 to destinations inside Tokyo's 23 wards, plus highway tolls. The exact amount depends on the zone — closer wards like Chuo and Minato are cheaper; western wards like Setagaya or Nerima cost more.
How the scam works:
A driver picks you up from the official taxi queue, runs the meter, and takes a "scenic" route — looping through Chiba prefecture or taking the longer Bayshore Freeway instead of the shorter Keiyo Road. The meter climbs to ¥30,000 or more. When you arrive, the driver explains that the flat rate is only for "pre-booked" taxis and the meter is "more accurate."
This is false. The fixed-fare system applies to any licensed taxi operating under the THTA program, regardless of whether you pre-booked. The taxi stand at Narita Airport (Terminal 1: stand No. 15; Terminal 2: stands No. 28 and 31-A) is staffed by an airport coordinator who can confirm the flat rate before you get in.
What to do:
- Before the driver pulls away, confirm the fixed fare. Say "teigaku" (flat rate) and name your destination.
- If the driver refuses, get out and take the next taxi. The stand has constant supply.
- If you are already in the car and the meter is running, ask for the fare to be switched to the flat rate. Licensed drivers cannot refuse.
- Highway tolls (usually ¥1,500–¥2,500) are extra and legitimate. The flat rate itself should match the THTA published figure.
Haneda Airport is different. It is only 20 kilometers from central Tokyo, and flat-rate taxis there cost ¥6,000 to ¥8,000 plus tolls (about ¥1,000). Haneda taxi scams are rarer because the distance is short and the fare is low enough that most tourists do not question it. The same rule applies: confirm the flat rate before the trip begins.
2. The Fake Suica Vending Machine
Suica is the rechargeable IC card used for nearly every train, bus, and convenience store purchase in Tokyo. Foreign visitors can buy a Welcome Suica — a prepaid, non-refundable version with no deposit — starting at ¥1,000 (up to ¥10,000).
Where to buy it officially:
- Narita Airport: JR East Travel Service Center (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2·3) or Welcome Suica ticket vending machines on the B1 floor near the train gates.
- Haneda Airport: JR East Travel Service Center at Terminal 3 (Tokyo Monorail Station) or Welcome Suica vending machines at the same location.
- Also available at major stations: Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno.
The scam:
At Narita's arrival lobby, unofficial kiosks sell Suica-like cards at ¥5,000–¥6,000 — double the ¥2,000 or ¥3,000 you would pay at the official counter. These cards are genuine (they work on the trains) but the markup is pure profit. The kiosks position themselves in the high-traffic area between the baggage claim and the train entrance, where tourists are most vulnerable.
The official Welcome Suica is only sold at JR East counters and JR East vending machines. Any card sold outside those locations — from a standalone kiosk, a generic electronics shop, or a desk near arrivals — is being resold at a markup.
What to do:
- Follow the signs for the JR Line (not Keisei Line if you want Suica — both are visible from the same basement level). The Welcome Suica vending machines are right next to the JR ticket gates.
- If you are taking the Narita Express, buy your Suica at the JR East Travel Service Center when you purchase your N'EX ticket.
- The Keisei Line ticket office does not sell Welcome Suica. If you arrive on the Skyliner platform, take the few extra minutes to walk to the JR area instead of buying at a reseller.
3. Metro Pickpocketing: The Yamanote Line Problem
Tokyo has a reputation for low crime, including low pickpocketing rates. That reputation is generally earned — but it makes tourists less vigilant on crowded trains.
The Yamanote Line, which loops through Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Ueno, and Ikebukuro, is the most crowded commuter rail line in the city. During peak hours (8:00–9:30 AM and 5:00–7:00 PM), trains operate at over 200% capacity. In those densities, a skilled pickpocket can open a zipped bag, remove a wallet, and disappear without anyone noticing.
The most common technique is the "shoulder tap":
One person taps your shoulder from behind while you stand near the train doors. You turn around, and a second person opens your bag or jacket pocket from the side. The first person apologizes, says they mistook you for someone else, and both exit the train before the doors close. Your wallet or phone is gone.
This technique is documented in Tokyo Metropolitan Police advisories and has been reported by multiple foreign visitors. In one 2025 case, a Russian national who entered Japan over 20 times on short-term visas was arrested for a string of Yamanote Line pickpocketing thefts targeting tourists.
Hotspots beyond the Yamanote Line:
- Shinjuku Station: The busiest train station in the world (3.6 million passengers daily). The west exit and the underground passages near the Odakyu Line are known pickpocket zones.
- Shibuya Station: The scramble crossing area and the Hachiko exit.
- Tokyo Station: The Yaesu underground shopping concourse.
- Tsukiji Outer Market: A 2025 video captured a pickpocket stealing from a tourist's bag while the tourist was recording market scenes.
What to do:
- Keep your wallet in a front pocket or a zipped bag worn to the front. Back pockets on the Yamanote Line during rush hour are an invitation.
- If someone touches you on a crowded train — especially a tap on the shoulder or a sudden bump — check your belongings immediately, not after you get off.
- Use a money belt or a bag with a locking zipper for high-value items (passport, backup cash, cards).
- The Yamanote Line has announcements in Japanese and English. If you hear someone yelling "chusui!" (stop/thief) or see a commotion, keep one hand on your valuables.
4. The "Lost Luggage" Delivery Scam
Japan's takkyubin (door-to-door luggage delivery) service is one of the country's genuine conveniences. Yamato Transport (the black cat logo) and Japan Post both operate counters at Narita and Haneda where you can check a suitcase to your hotel and have it waiting for you at check-in. Typical cost: ¥2,000–¥3,000 per suitcase depending on size and distance.
The scam:
At the Narita arrivals lobby, touts approach tourists with heavy luggage and offer "airport-to-hotel luggage delivery" at ¥8,000–¥12,000 per bag. They wear street clothes, sometimes with a lanyard or clipboard to look official. They claim the Yamato counter is "closed for the day" or "only for Japanese residents."
The Yamato Transport counter at Narita Terminal 1 (North Wing, 4F) and Terminal 2 (B1F) is open daily from approximately 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. At Haneda, the Yamato counters are in the arrival lobbies of Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Same-day delivery is available for luggage dropped off before a cutoff time (usually 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, depending on the hotel location).
How to spot the scam:
- Yamato counters have the black cat logo prominently displayed. No logo, no official service.
- Takkyubin pricing is published and transparent. A large suitcase from Narita to a central Tokyo hotel costs ¥2,500–¥3,500. Anyone asking for ¥8,000+ is charging 3x the market rate.
- Genuine Yamato staff wear uniforms. Anyone in street clothes with a clipboard is a tout.
5. The Unofficial Taxi Tout (Both Airports)
This is the simplest and most persistent scam at both Narita and Haneda.
As you exit customs and walk toward the transportation hub, a person — usually a man in a suit or business casual — approaches you. He asks where you are going. He tells you the taxi line is "very long — 45 minutes minimum" and offers to take you to a waiting car immediately.
The car is not a licensed taxi. It is a private vehicle or a sedan from a non-regulated transport company. The quoted price sounds reasonable at first (¥15,000–¥20,000 for Narita to Shinjuku), but upon arrival the driver demands a higher price, claiming "traffic fee" or "luggage charge."
The rules:
- At Narita, licensed taxis queue at the designated stands: Terminal 1 (stand No. 15) and Terminal 2 (stands No. 28 and 31-A). Anyone who intercepts you before you reach those stands is not official.
- At Haneda, the taxi queue is on the 1F arrival lobby of each terminal. App-dispatched and reserved taxis use designated stands on the 2F departure level (Terminals 1 and 2 only).
- Licensed Tokyo taxis have green license plates. Private hire vehicles have white plates with a different numbering system. If the plate is white and the driver approached you inside the terminal, it is not a licensed street taxi.
Price & Route Comparison: Narita Airport to Central Tokyo
| Option | Cost (one way, adult) | Travel Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keisei Skyliner | ¥2,470 (¥2,465 with IC card) | 36–41 min to Nippori/Ueno | Speed to northern/eastern Tokyo; easy Yamanote transfer at Nippori |
| Narita Express (N'EX) | ¥3,070 to Tokyo Station; ¥3,250 to Shinjuku/Shibuya | 53 min to Tokyo Station, 1 hr 25 min to Shinjuku | Direct service to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Yokohama; JR Pass accepted |
| Airport Limousine Bus | ¥3,200 to central Tokyo hotels | 70–120 min (depends on route) | Door-to-hotel convenience; no train transfers needed |
| Low-Cost Bus (LCB) | ¥1,500 to Tokyo Station / Ginza | 60–90 min | Cheapest option by a wide margin |
| Official Flat-Rate Taxi (pre-booked) | ~¥14,000–¥20,000 + tolls (~¥2,500) | 60–90 min | Group travel (3–4 people); heavy luggage; late arrivals |
| Metered Taxi | ¥25,000–¥35,000 | 60–90 min | Avoid this — you are paying double the flat rate for the same ride |
Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo
| Option | Cost (one way, adult) | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Keikyu Line | ¥540 | ~25 min to Shinagawa |
| Tokyo Monorail | ¥720 | ~25 min to Hamamatsucho |
| Airport Limousine Bus | From ¥1,000 | 30–60 min |
| Flat-Rate Taxi | ¥6,000–¥8,000 + tolls (~¥1,000) | 30–60 min |
Where to Buy a Suica (Official Locations at the Airport)
Narita Airport: - JR East Travel Service Center — Terminal 1 and Terminal 2·3 (next to JR ticket gates, B1F) - Welcome Suica vending machines — same locations - Prices: choose any amount from ¥1,000 to ¥10,000 (includes the full balance for spending)
Haneda Airport: - JR East Travel Service Center — Terminal 3 (Tokyo Monorail Station) - Welcome Suica vending machines — same location
Do not buy Suica from: - Any kiosk or standalone stand in the arrivals lobby - Electronics shops at the airport - People approaching you near the ticket area offering to "help" you buy a card
Emergency Numbers
- Tokyo Metropolitan Police Tourist Information (English): 03-3501-0110 (24 hours)
- Japan Visitor Hotline: 050-3816-2787 (24 hours, English/Chinese/Korean)
- Lost and Found (Narita Airport): 0476-34-8000 (Terminal 1) / 0476-34-8002 (Terminal 2)
- Lost and Found (Haneda Airport): 03-6428-0888
The Bottom Line
Tokyo is not a dangerous city. The scams here are low-frequency events in a system that works well for millions of travelers every year. But low frequency is not zero, and the scams that exist target a specific profile: the jet-lagged, uninformed tourist who does not know the official flat fare, has not checked where to buy a Suica, and assumes the Yamanote Line is as safe as a Japanese convenience store.
If you know the flat rate, know the Suica locations, and keep your wallet in a front pocket on the Yamanote, you will arrive at your hotel with the same cash you landed with.
Tokyo's airport scams follow the same patterns described in our complete airport scam guide.
[Download the Tokyo Airport Safety Checklist — printable one-page reference with fares, Suica locations, and emergency numbers]