Tokyo is generally a safe and honest city — but that doesn’t mean every restaurant is tourist-friendly.
Here’s a quick warning based on my personal experience as a local:
😠 What Happened
I walked into a restaurant near a popular nightlife area in Tokyo. The staff greeted me kindly, but:
I was approached aggressively by a street promoter (catch guy)
The place looked fine inside, so I went in
But then…
💸 The Bill Shock
Here’s what I found on the final bill:
❌ A mysterious “table charge” (called otoshi in Japanese) even though I didn’t order it
❌ Food was overpriced and honestly not very tasty
❌ On top of the 10% consumption tax, they added another 10% “service fee”
❌ No prices shown clearly on the menu
✅ Final result: I paid more than I expected, for less than I deserved.
🧠 How to Avoid This
Don’t worry — it’s not hard to avoid this kind of trap if you follow these tips:
Check online reviews before entering — Google Maps, Tabelog, or TripAdvisor
Avoid restaurants with street touts (catch sales), especially in areas like Kabukicho or Roppongi
Look for price transparency on the menu outside
Choose places with a clear menu and no vague “service charges”
🧭 Better Options Exist!
Tokyo has thousands of great restaurants — you just need a little filtering.
I recommend:
Local izakayas with high ratings
Chain stores (yes, even those!) for fair pricing
Cafes or spots where the otoshi fee is clearly explained
✅ Final Tip from a Local
If a place looks shady, trust your instinct and walk away.
Don’t feel bad — locals do it too.
And remember: You can always find a better meal just one street away.
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