Japan’s reputation for safety and order is built on laws that are often enforced more consistently than many visitors expect. A small misstep that might earn only a warning elsewhere can lead to questioning or even arrest here. With over 20 million annual tourists returning post-pandemic, incidents of accidental violations have increased. Understanding these rules helps travelers stay safe while respecting a system built on precision, accountability, and community trust.
1. Carrying Medication That’s Illegal in Japan
Many everyday medicines are banned or controlled in Japan, including those containing more than 10 mg of pseudoephedrine per dose or common ADHD treatments. Authorities confiscate thousands of such items every year at major airports. Even legal prescriptions require a Yakkan Shoumei for quantities exceeding one month. Tourists who overlook these rules may face interrogation or arrest since customs officers strictly enforce pharmaceutical laws.
2. Riding a Bicycle While Using an Umbrella or Phone
Japan records over 70,000 bicycle accidents annually, prompting strict enforcement of cycling laws. Holding an umbrella, texting, or using headphones while riding is treated as dangerous behavior. Police routinely stop cyclists, especially in urban wards, and fines can reach ¥50,000. Repeat or serious violations can escalate to arrest. Many visitors underestimate how even small distractions on a bicycle are interpreted as risks to public safety.
3. Staying in an Unregistered Airbnb or Rental
Following the 2018 Minpaku law, every short-term rental must display a 15-digit registration number and maintain guest records. During crackdowns, officials inspected more than 10,000 properties, leading to closures and legal action. Tourists staying in unlicensed units may be questioned or detained as part of these checks. Always confirm registration and ensure the host requests passport information, which is mandatory for all foreign guests under Japanese law.
4. Not Carrying Your Passport at All Times
Japan requires foreign visitors to carry passports, and police conducted over 100,000 random ID checks nationwide last year. Failing to present your passport can lead to detention until identity is confirmed. A digital copy doesn’t meet legal requirements, and officers frequently conduct spot checks around nightlife districts and major stations. Keeping your passport on you, and a backup image separately, prevents complications during routine enforcement.
5. Public Drunkenness That Causes Disturbance
While drinking in public is legal, disorderly conduct is not, and police respond to more than 5,000 alcohol-related disturbances each year. Loud arguments, blocking streets, or causing discomfort to others can lead to arrest, especially in nightlife hubs like Shibuya or Dotonbori. Japan values social harmony, and officers act quickly if someone appears disruptive. Tourists often underestimate how quickly festive energy can cross into punishable behavior.
6. Keeping Lost Items Instead of Reporting Them
Japan maintains one of the world’s most efficient lost-and-found systems, handling over 4 million recovered items annually. Keeping something you find, even an umbrella or wallet is considered misappropriation. Every item must be reported to a koban, where police record detailed information before storing it. Failing to follow this process is treated as intentional theft, and many visitors don’t realize how strictly property rights are protected in daily life.
7. Entering Restricted Areas at Shrines or Train Stations
Train stations handle over 50 million passengers daily, making safety enforcement strict. Entering maintenance zones, crossing tracks, or stepping into roped-off areas can lead to immediate arrest under trespassing laws. Shrines also restrict access to sacred inner zones, and ignoring signs often only in Japanese, can spark intervention by security staff. Even stepping over a barrier for a photo is considered a violation, not an innocent mistake.
8. Handling Unattended or Stranger’s Luggage
Airports in Japan process more than 2 billion pieces of luggage annually, and security protocols treat unattended bags as high-risk items. Touching or moving someone else’s luggage without permission can trigger suspicion of tampering or smuggling. Security staff may detain individuals for questioning to rule out involvement in prohibited activities. Even friendly intentions, like helping a stranger lift a bag, should be avoided unless clearly invited and visible to authorities.
9. Using Fake, Invalid, or Incorrect Train Tickets
Japan’s railways issue billions of trips each year, and fare evasion is estimated at over 40,000 incidents annually, and is handled aggressively. Reusing tickets, tailgating through gates, or intentionally underpaying is considered fraud. Even honest mistakes require explanation, and repeat offenders can be arrested. Using an IC card reduces errors, but travelers should still check fare charts carefully since stations are heavily monitored and violations leave little room for leniency.
10. Filming or Photographing in Prohibited Areas
Japan’s privacy and security rules are strict, resulting in more than 8,000 photography-related complaints each year. Filming in restricted zones like tunnels, police stations, or government buildings can lead to arrest. Taking photos of individuals, especially women or children without permission can also trigger police action. Even in public spaces, privacy expectations are high, and ignoring small or Japanese-only signs can cause immediate intervention from security officers.
11. Working or Volunteering on a Tourist Visa
Immigration authorities report over 10,000 annual violations involving unauthorized work. Even unpaid volunteering or assisting at a small shop can be classified as labor. Receiving gifts or perks that resemble compensation may also break visa rules. Tourists found working without the proper permit face detention and deportation. To avoid complications, travelers should engage only in leisure activities and avoid anything that resembles organized or compensated work.
