What is otoshi? The izakaya cover charge, explained
Why a small dish you didn't order shows up at an izakaya, what it costs, and whether you can say no.
You sit down, order drinks, and a tiny bowl of something arrives that nobody asked for. Then it shows up on the bill. Welcome to otoshi (お通し) — the most common surprise for visitors at a Japanese izakaya.
What otoshi is
Otoshi is a small appetiser served to every customer when they sit down, usually with the first drinks. In the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto) it’s called tsukidashi (突き出し).
It does two jobs:
- A seating charge. It pays for your seat and the service, like a cover charge in a bar.
- Something to eat right away, so your first drink isn’t on an empty stomach while the kitchen gets going.
It is a normal part of izakaya culture, not a trick aimed at tourists. Japanese customers get it too.
How much it costs
Most places charge about 300–500 yen per person. Smarter or pricier places can charge up to around 1,000 yen, often for a better dish. It’s charged per person, not per table.
On the bill it appears as お通し or お通し代, sometimes multiplied by the number of people.
Tip: Some places also add a separate table or service charge (席料 / チャージ). If the bill seems high, Izakaya Buddy’s Check my bill shows you what each line is.
Can you refuse otoshi?
Usually, no — it comes with the seat, whether you eat it or not. A few places will skip it if you ask when you sit down, but don’t count on it, and don’t argue about it at the end of the night.
If you want to know before you sit down, ask:
Where you won’t get otoshi
Otoshi is mostly an izakaya thing (big chain izakaya usually charge it too). You usually won’t be charged one at:
- standing bars (tachinomi) and liquor-shop bars (kakuuchi)
- places that are clearly a restaurant rather than a pub (ramen, sushi, set-meal shops)
Why some visitors get upset
The problem isn’t usually the money — it’s the surprise. In most countries, if you didn’t order it, you don’t pay for it. Knowing in advance changes it from “that’s a scam” to “oh, that’s the otoshi.” Enjoy it: it’s often a small taste of what the kitchen does well.
Back to the full evening: How an izakaya works.
Related guides
- How an izakaya works: a first-timer's guide to the nightFrom your first drink to the bill — what happens at a Japanese izakaya, in order, so nothing catches you off guard.
- Izakaya time limits: what “2 hours” meansWhy many izakaya give you a 2-hour slot, how all-you-can-drink timing works, and how not to get caught out.
- Izakaya phrases: Japanese to get you through the nightThe Japanese you'll actually use at an izakaya, from walking in to paying. Tap any phrase to show it to staff full screen.