Korean YouTuber Shocked by Unexpected Price Difference at Japanese Restaurant

Price Differences for the Same Food Depending on the Menu
Growing Controversy Over Discrimination and Price Gouging Against Tourists

Controversy has arisen over alleged "overcharging of foreign tourists" after it was revealed that a restaurant in Kyoto, one of Japan's top tourist destinations, displayed different prices on its Japanese and English menus. The English menu given to foreigners listed the same dishes at significantly higher prices than the Japanese menu.

Recently, YouTuber Soohoon Choi uploaded a video on his channel "CKOONY" showing him visiting a sushi specialty restaurant in Kyoto, Japan, together with a Chinese acquaintance.

YouTuber Soohoon Choi released a video on his YouTube channel 'CKOONY' showing him visiting a sushi specialty restaurant in Kyoto, Japan with a Chinese acquaintance. YouTube

In the video, the two looked at the English menu and remarked, "The cheapest is three pieces of sushi for 20,000 won." The English menu in the video listed three pieces of tuna sushi for 1,800 yen (about 16,500 won), and with tax included, 1,980 yen (about 18,000 won).

They then requested the Japanese menu from the waiter, who first asked, "Can you read Japanese?" and then handed over the Japanese menu.

After comparing the two menus, Choi and his companion were baffled by the unexpected price difference. They pointed out, "On the Japanese menu, the cheapest item is 500 yen (about 4,600 won)," adding, "Even if we order the full set menu, including tax, it only comes to 5,214 yen (about 48,000 won)." Choi's acquaintance remarked, "Every item is cheaper than on the English menu."

Netizens Criticize "Overcharging Foreigners"

Viewers who watched the video criticized the practice, saying, "They are overcharging foreigners" and "It's outrageous profiteering at the expense of foreign customers."

Another netizen commented, "It seems the logic is that foreign tourists can be charged more since they're benefiting from the weak yen," adding, "This dual pricing system, which started in heavily touristed areas like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, is now spreading to smaller provincial cities."

Other viewers shared similar experiences. One netizen wrote, "When I went to a restaurant in Tokyo, I was given an English menu because I was a foreigner. On the Japanese menu, sushi was about 13,000 won, but on the English menu, it was listed as nearly 50,000 won."

Dual Pricing System Spreads in Japan

In fact, Japan is increasingly applying a "dual pricing system," charging tourists higher prices for the same products. At some tourist destinations, this policy has recently expanded; in March, Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture introduced a dual pricing system for admission to Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists are required to pay 2,500 yen (about 23,000 won), which is 2.5 times more than what residents pay.

Kyoto in particular is also considering introducing dual pricing in its public transportation sector. By 2027, the city plans to implement different bus fares for residents and non-residents.

While these measures are intended to reduce various side effects of overtourism, concerns and debate over foreigner discrimination and overcharging are intensifying.

Although the Japan Tourism Agency is not enforcing a nationwide dual pricing system, reports indicate that it is considering issuing guidelines on applying different fares to tourists and local residents.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.