I know the title is alarming, but I was curious about this interaction and if it was common or some type of trap. I was near a tunnel by the Dobotsumen-Mae station and somewhat near Tsutenkaku Tower. A Japanese man said hello and motioned for me to approach him. I have my American e-cigarette on me and he pointed it out, we small talked about Japan a little, and then he asked me if I smoked.. but I thought he meant the vape, he eventually said “marijuanas”. He said if I met up with him later and whatnot he would give me a gift and he smokes, etc. I made up an excuse to leave but he was very friendly, grabbed my hand and bowed and kissed it goodbye lol. I am very shocked by this interaction, as I know the illegality of drugs in Japan. I’m an American woman, and this was my first day alone without someone accompanying me. I am just curious if this is some type of tourist trap or Yakuza/gang activity? I have never experienced something like this in Japan.
by Aggressive_Humor3524
11 comments
Dude was trying to get laid, clearly.
Could be anything, city crazy guy, someone drunk or high on something (illegal does not mean does not exist), scammer, lame nampa attempt, even an undercover cop (quite unlikely), one of those prank streamers, etc.
Doubt it’s yakuza, sounds a bit too petty for them to bother with something like that. And no, it’s not quite common.
It could be a trap, but difficult to know. A friend who lives in Kyoto told me that even the police do that sometimes
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Japan gov change already. Osaka many shop can take it. from 2000 yens and a candy for 700 yens. u can find it at Internet. Japan is not a safe place now. esp Osaka Tokyo. if u stay Saga etc still good. if big city. very dangerous. if u alone.. I think he want u to fell down then do something. but he’s so carefully. if he tell u want u take. u take it then fell down it’s not his problem.
I’ve seen drug deals in the open up the road in nishinari so could just be someone looking for a new customer.
I don’t think it’s that uncommon. Yes Japan is tough on drugs, even marijuana, but among young people marijuana is seen as not that big of a deal. Especially since the influence of Western culture, where there’s depiction of “smoking weed”. It’s even legal in many countries and states now, so the perception of marijuana in Japan is changing.
I’m Japanese and the topic of marijuana does sometimes come up with other young Japanese people. There’s the stereotype that foreigners = do drugs/weed, and is “cool” with marijuana, and that’s probably why he came up with that topic. I don’t think there’s much more to it than that.
Still I wouldn’t follow around a guy like that, and he could be a shady person.
Nampa near Namba.
Its not trap. He is a chill guy but crazy 🤣 Please be careful. Japan is safe, but there are idiots among Japanese, and the area around Tsutenkaku is a haven for crazy people.
If you are pretty serious about life in Japan, I’d say avoid that stuff, because a drug infraction can get you banned from Japan for life. Even if you’re just visiting, it’s also worth noting that Japan makes foreigners do their whole sentence before deporting them… the worst part is you become fluent in Japanese while you’re in prison and then have no use for it after!
I was offered an insane amount of things by the club pushers in Shinjuku. They will offer you anything other than marijuana though I found. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, just say no thanks and walk away. That’s what I did