If a small dish arrives at your table before you have ordered, it may be otoshi, an appetizer that comes with a per-person charge at some Japanese izakaya. It is not necessarily a free sample. If you want to know the full cost before ordering, ask about the charge when you arrive.
What matters is each restaurant’s own policy. Not every Sapporo restaurant serves otoshi, and the price, how children are charged and whether you can decline it all vary.
Why did a dish arrive that you did not order?
JNTO’s nightlife guide explains that some izakaya charge a per-person cover fee that includes a small dish served before you order. This explains what is happening, but it does not tell you the policy or price at any particular restaurant.
You may see お通し on the menu or bill. Treat it as something to clear up at the start rather than assuming it is included in the price of your drink. If a dish appears right away, ask what it is and whether there is a charge.
Otoshi, seat charges and tips are different questions
| Term | What to ask |
|---|---|
| お通し (otoshi) | Is there a charge for this appetizer, and how much is it per person? |
| 席料 / チャージ | Is there a seat or cover charge on top of food and drinks? |
| サービス料 | Does the restaurant add a service charge? |
| Tip | An optional extra for service; not the same as a listed charge |
These terms are there to help you ask the right questions. Do not simply add up every category, as a restaurant may combine charges or use different terms. Ask staff to explain what your group will actually pay.
JNTO’s etiquette advice says there is no need to tip at ordinary restaurants and bars. That does not mean a restaurant’s stated cover or service charge goes away. Read the menu and the bill rather than taking every extra item as a request for a tip.
Can you refuse the dish and avoid paying?
Ask before you accept the dish or place your order. This guide cannot promise that you will be able to decline the charge at every restaurant. The answer may depend on whether the restaurant treats it as an appetizer, a cover charge or a condition of taking a seat.
If you would rather avoid places with a cover charge, check before sitting down when you can. Ask whether the charge is optional and what happens if you do not eat the dish. A polite question at the start is easier than a disagreement at the register.
What if you have an allergy or do not eat an ingredient?
If possible, tell staff before the dish is served. An appetizer you did not order needs the same ingredient check as anything you choose from the menu. Do not guess what is in it from a photo, and do not assume that leaving it untouched settles the question of payment.
Ask separately about a suitable substitute and about the charge. Staff may be able to offer something else, but this guide cannot confirm substitute options or how dishes are prepared at individual restaurants.
Does the charge apply to children?
Tell the restaurant each child’s age and ask how they charge for children. Do not base your budget on the adult policy alone. If one adult is eating out with two young children, knowing how many people will be charged can change which restaurant is the better choice.
For example, a ¥500 charge for two adults adds ¥1,000 before any food and drinks they order. This is just an illustration of how a per-person charge adds up, not a typical price in Sapporo.
Useful questions in English and Japanese
“Is there a cover charge? How much is it per person?” / 「お通し代や席料はありますか？一人いくらですか？」
“Does the charge apply to children too?” / 「子どもにも料金がかかりますか？」
“Could you explain this item on the bill?” / 「この料金について教えていただけますか？」
Keep your tone neutral. An unfamiliar item is a reason to ask for an explanation, not proof that the bill is wrong. If an amount is different from what you were told, point to the menu or your confirmation and ask staff to check it.
Build it into your restaurant planning
Use our restaurant booking guide to ask about charges before you arrive, and check payment methods separately. If eating out is a big part of your trip, our Sapporo hotel-area comparison can help you choose where to stay; being close to restaurants does not tell you what each one charges.
Information checked on October 8, 2026. This guide does not confirm the current charges or refusal policy of any individual restaurant.
Leave a Reply