A female tourist’s solo trip to Japan transformed into a frightening experience when she found a man hiding beneath her hotel bed.
The incident occurred at APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower in Tokyo, raising serious questions about hotel security.
Tourist’s Shocking Discovery Under Hotel Bed
Nataliia Khomenko, a Ukrainian tourist, booked a stay at the APA Hotel in Tokyo from 29 Mar to 1 Apr. She chose Japan for her solo adventure specifically due to its reputation as a safe country for women travellers.
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The first night of her stay passed without incident. However, on the second day, after returning to her room around 7:30 pm following a day of sightseeing, she noticed an odd smell.
Ms Khomenko initially thought the odour came from her hair or the bed sheets. Upon checking under the bed, she was horrified to see a pair of eyes staring back at her.
She jumped to her feet and screamed. The man, whom she described only as “Asian,” also yelled before fleeing from the room.
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Hotel staff responded to Ms Khomenko’s calls for help and contacted police. A power bank and USB cable were found under the bed following the intruder’s hasty departure.
Security Breach and Compensation Challenges
The tourist repeatedly questioned the hotel administration how someone gained access to her room, as entry to both her floor and room required a keycard. The hotel staff couldn’t provide an explanation for this security breach.
She also highlighted that there were no functional CCTV cameras available on the hotel property, making it impossible for police to gather video evidence of the intruder’s entry or exit.
Feeling unsafe, Khomenko checked out and moved to another hotel that same night. She requested a full refund of her USD 510 (SGD 671) payment for the four-day stay but initially received no response from the hotel management.
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When she contacted the booking platform she had used, they offered only USD178 (SGD 234) in credit as compensation.
After further complaints, the hotel eventually agreed to provide a full refund. However, they refused her request for USD1,600 (S$2,105) in compensation for emotional distress, stating such payments weren’t part of their policy.
Police informed Khomenko they couldn’t file the case as a crime or continue the investigation without video evidence to identify the culprit. Despite this, the hotel branch manager claimed in an email that they were still looking into the incident.
Ms Khomenko shared her story on social media platforms, including TikTok and Instagram on 25 Apr, where it gained substantial attention. Her Instagram video amassed nearly two million views, with many users expressing shock and concern.
The tourist reported ongoing psychological effects from the incident, including difficulty sleeping and constant anxiety about her surroundings.
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She made her experience public to raise awareness and push the hotel chain to take responsibility for the security failure.
Social media reactions to her story included calls for the hotel to be banned from booking platforms, while others suggested she should have chosen a different accommodation type for solo female travel.
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