Japan is famous for its polite service. But some restaurants are charging tourists double.
A Korean YouTuber exposed how some Japanese dining spots use secret menus to rip off foreign travelers.
When you travel to a new country, you trust the locals to treat you fairly. But some tourists in Japan are finding out they paid twice as much as the locals sitting right next to them.
WHAT HAPPENED
A popular Korean YouTuber named Sohun recently went to a sushi restaurant in Japan with his girlfriend.
The waitress gave them an English menu, but Sohun asked for the Japanese one instead.
The waitress hesitated and asked if they could read Japanese before finally handing it over.
When Sohun compared the two menus, he found a shocking truth. The prices on the Japanese menu were half the price of the English menu.
This two-price system is spreading across big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
FACT BOX
- Some Japanese restaurants use two different menus based on your language.
- Locals get Menu A with much cheaper prices.
- Foreign tourists get Menu B with prices up to double the local rate.
- The trick has been spotted in major tourist hubs like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
- Staff reportedly check if you speak Japanese before showing the cheaper menu.
WHY IT MATTERS
Japan has a global reputation for honesty and excellent customer service. This practice hurts that trust and makes visitors feel like targets rather than welcome guests.
As global travel bounces back, more people are relying on translation apps. It is easier than ever for travelers to catch these unfair pricing tricks in real-time.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
More travelers will likely start asking for local menus to check the prices. This could lead to awkward moments and tension between staff and diners.
Tourist boards may have to step in to protect the country's image if more restaurants adopt this double-pricing system.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- How many restaurants in Japan are actively using this double-pricing system?
- Are local governments planning to make this practice illegal?
- Do the higher tourist prices come with larger portions or better ingredients?
Transparency notes
Published: Jul 14, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
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