Translation guide
A fee required to enter a bar, club, or restaurant, often including a drink or snack. In Japan, this is commonly called a table charge or seat charge.
The mandatory fee added to the bill at bars, clubs, or live music venues, often including a small snack or one drink.
A small fee added to the bill at some restaurants, especially izakaya, often including a small appetizer (otōshi).
Many casual restaurants and cafes in Japan do not have a cover charge. It's most common in bars, clubs, and izakaya. Always check the menu or ask if unsure.
You can ask 「チャージはありますか？」 (Is there a cover charge?) or 「お通し代はかかりますか？」 (Is there a charge for the appetizer?).
This place has a 500 yen cover charge.
Specifically a table charge, common in bars and clubs. Often includes a small snack.
テーブルチャージとしてお通しが出ます。
A small appetizer is served as part of the table charge.
Direct loan from 'cover charge', used in some contexts but less common than チャージ.
カバーチャージはいくらですか？
How much is the cover charge?
A charge specifically for live music venues.
ミュージックチャージが別途かかります。
There is a separate music charge.
The small appetizer automatically served and charged at many izakaya and bars. It functions as a cover charge. The charge itself is often called お通し代.
お通し代として300円いただきます。
There is a 300 yen cover charge for the appetizer.
Literally 'seat fee', used in some traditional restaurants or ryotei.
席料が別途必要です。
A seating charge is required separately.
Service charge, sometimes used instead of a cover charge, but it's a percentage of the bill, not a flat fee.
This is a service charge, not exactly a cover charge. It's usually 10-15% of the total bill.
サービス料10%を申し受けます。
A 10% service charge will be added.