7 mistakes that can get customers fined and imprisoned in Japan

In 2025, Japan will welcome a record number of 47 million international visitors. The increase in visitors leads to an increase in inappropriate behavior, causing many provinces and cities to tighten the enforcement of current regulations and at the same time promulgate a number of new regulations. There have been many misunderstandings about what behaviors can actually get tourists fined.

Below are the specific regulations, scope of application and penalties for violators.

Take photos of geiko and maiko in the Gion area (Kyoto): fine up to 10,000 yen (nearly 1.7 million VND)

Misunderstanding: Taking photos of geiko (Kyotoans call geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) is prohibited throughout Kyoto city or the entire Gion area.

Reality: The regulation applies to certain designated private streets in the Gion area. This regulation was issued by the local council of residents and shop owners in Gion to deal with the situation of many tourists chasing, chasing or blocking geiko and maiko just to take photos.

The Kyoto government expressed its support by installing official notice signs. The ban does not apply to public roads such as Hanamikoji – Gion’s main street. However, asking permission before taking photos of others is still considered polite.

Harming protected animals: Fine up to 1 million yen (166.3 million VND) or imprisonment

Misunderstanding: Applies to all animals in Japan

Reality: The fine applies to species classified by Japan’s Cultural Property Protection Law as National Natural Monuments.

Some typical species include sika deer in Nara, Iriomote wildcat in Okinawa, Japanese giant salamander, Japanese crested stork (toki) on Sado Island, Steller’s sea eagle and Blakiston’s fish owl in Hokkaido.

Besides, many other Japanese laws also protect other animals with their own penalties.

Violations when riding bicycles, electric bicycles and electric scooters: Fine from 3,000 – 12,000 yen (500,000 – 2 million VND)

Misunderstanding: Minor mistakes when riding a bicycle in Japan are only warned by the police.

Reality: From April 1, Japan applied an on-the-spot penalty system, also known as “blue ticket”, for 113 traffic violations by bicycle. The fine depends on each violation, such as using a phone while cycling: a fine of 12,000 yen; Running a red light or going in the wrong direction is fined 6,000 yen; Driving in a parallel row will result in a fine of 3,000 yen.

Litter: Fine 2,000 – 30,000 yen (332,000 – 5 million VND)

Misunderstanding: Littering does not result in a fine

Reality: Each city and prefecture in Japan has its own regulations on littering. Shibuya District (Tokyo) currently imposes on-the-spot fines of 2,000 yen, enforced by multilingual patrols working around the clock.

In other localities, fines can range from 2,000 to 30,000 yen for repeat or serious violations.

Operating an unregistered or unlicensed drone: Fine up to 500,000 yen (83 million VND) or imprisonment

Misunderstanding: The law only applies in certain areas that are government buildings

Reality: Any drone weighing 100 grams or more that wants to be used must be registered with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Registration is done online through MLIT’s Drone Portal.

Climbing Mount Fuji off-season: Fine up to 300,000 yen (50 million VND) or imprisonment

Myth: Anyone who climbs Mount Fuji can be fined.

Reality: Penalties only apply to people who intentionally enter climbing routes or closed areas during low season, not climbing in general. Violators can be fined up to 300,000 yen or 6 months in prison, depending on the severity and specific circumstances.

Smoking: Fine from 2,000 to 20,000 yen (330,000 – 3.3 million VND)

Misunderstanding: Smoking is only prohibited indoors

Reality: Many Japanese cities, including central Tokyo districts like Chiyoda and Shibuya, ban smoking on the streets, except in designated smoking areas.

There are no uniform regulations nationwide. Each city or prefecture issues its own regulations, so fines vary, commonly ranging from 2,000 to 20,000 yen.

Visitors can use apps or websites like Japan Smoking Area to find legal smoking areas instead of searching based on intuition.

In addition, Japan completely bans marijuana in all forms and has no threshold. If you bring marijuana into Japan, the product may be confiscated by customs and the violator may be arrested, with a penalty of up to 7 years in prison. If you are unsure about the ingredients in medicinal products, it is best not to bring them to Japan.