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.
The most common term for cover charge in bars and clubs. Often used as チャージ料 or テーブルチャージ.
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?).
この店はチャージが500円です。
This place has a 500 yen cover charge.
Specifically a table charge, common in bars and clubs. Often includes a small snack.
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.
How much is the cover charge?
A charge specifically for live music venues.
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.
There is a 300 yen cover charge for the appetizer.
Literally 'seat fee', used in some traditional restaurants or ryotei.
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.
A 10% service charge will be added.