_This is a short guide intended to address a common question/concern I see here on /r/JapanTravel._
## Introduction
Picture this. You arrived in Tokyo on your first trip to Japan. You get into the city from the airport, ditch your stuff at your accommodation in Shinjuku, and go out to find the biggest bowl of ramen you’ve ever eaten for lunch. You have a great afternoon walking around Yoyogi Park and losing money to UFO catchers at an arcade.
You find dinner, and then you want some drinks afterward. You spent the whole plane ride looking forward to sitting down at an izakaya, ordering a whiskey sour, and trying some chicken skewers. After the waiter takes your order, he returns a minute later with small bowls of edamame and pickled vegetables. _Hey, I didn’t order this,_ you think, but you don’t really want to rock the boat or ask questions, so you go along with it.
At the end of the meal, you and your travel companion see you were charged 400 yen each for the unordered appetizer. You’re tired, confused, and maybe a bit annoyed. What the heck even just happened?
What happened was that you were given and charged for otoshi (お通し).
## What Is Otoshi?
_Otoshi_ (お通し), also sometimes known as _tsukidashi_ (突き出し), is a small appetizer given once you place an order at a bar or other establishment serving alcohol. You can think of a it a bit like a cover charge, table charge, or service charge that comes with some food in return. It’s a custom primarily seen in bars, izakaya, and restaurants where the primary theme of the place leans more toward drinking than the food that comes with it. So you won’t generally see otoshi at family restaurants, fast food restaurants, food-focused restaurants, high-end eateries, and similar.
Culturally and practically, otoshi serves a few purposes. To start, it very quickly gets some food out onto your table to go with your drinks, which can be great if you either didn’t order additional food or you ordered food that might take a while longer to prepare. It gives you something to immediately snack on along with your beer/wine/whiskey/etc. Additionally, it helps bring more revenue into the establishment, especially in a small bar where a group of people might linger at a table for quite a while, preventing quick turnover.
These days, it’s a completely normal and accepted custom that you’ll see frequently all over Japan. It likely won’t be listed on the menu, but the waiter might inform you of it when you sit down. You can also always ask about the cost of otoshi when you enter the bar/izakaya. **It’s important to keep in mind that otoshi is not a scam or a rip-off or a money grab or something that’s being charged because you’re a tourist. It’s simply the way most Japanese bars work.**
## How Much Does Otoshi Cost?
Otoshi can vary in price, but it will generally be 300 – 800 yen per person. Higher-priced otoshi tends to come with either more/better food, or can be seen at establishments that are more popular or busier.
## What Food Will I Receive for Otoshi?
What you get as an otoshi varies a lot from establishment to establishment. At some places, the otoshi will be quite simple. It might be a bowl of nuts, edamame, rice crackers, miso soup, picked vegetables, tofu, or potato salad. Sometimes, it can be a more elaborate house specialty, such as a homemade dish, more complex soup, salad, or grilled fish. I once went to a robata restaurant where the otoshi was a nice little selection of seafood and rice cakes to cook on the grill!
## Can I Refuse Otoshi?
You _can_ technically refuse otoshi, although you would need to do so the moment it is mentioned to you or when the food is placed at the table. You cannot later dispute the otoshi charge at the end of the meal, even if you didn’t end up eating the otoshi.
_That said_, it would be exceptionally weird to refuse otoshi, and you’d likely encounter some pushback or confusion from the staff. If you don’t want to receive and pay for otoshi, I recommend simply steering clear of the types of establishments that serve it.
## Can I Order More Otoshi?
Yes, you often can, although you will usually be charged an additional service charge for the additional food.
_For more information about otoshi, see [this article](https://thetokyotourist.com/table-charge-japan/) and [this article](https://gurunavi.com/en/japanfoodie/2017/04/otoshi-faq.html)._
6 comments
Thank you. I don’t mind the concept of otoshi, and they are usually pretty tasty.
I hate Otoshi so generally I have them omit it.
Confused me the first time it happened there. Just shrugged it off.
Good to know this is a thing.
What if you don’t like one of the types of otoshi? Could you ask for an exchange for a different kind? For example, they bring a bowl of edamame and a bowl of nuts but I’m allergic to nuts. Could I refuse the nuts and request another edamame in lieu of the nuts?
You should consider this as part of experiencing Japanese culture if you’re travelling there.
Ordering whisky sour at an Izakaya..?