"20,000 Yen in 15 Minutes, Absolutely Avoid" Tokyo Scam Restaurant Targeting Korean Tourists

Overcharging for Food Due to Various Reasons
Police: "Will Investigate Possible Yakuza Involvement"

In Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, the owner and touts of a famous restaurant affiliate were investigated by local police for deceiving tourists by pretending to be affiliated with a well-known chain and overcharging them for food under various pretexts.

On the 29th of last month (local time), Mainichi Shimbun reported that "a man in his 50s, the owner, and about 10 touts who pretended to be affiliated with the famous yakitori chain 'Torikizoku' in the Kabukicho district of Shinjuku, Tokyo, were arrested on charges of obstruction of business after overcharging tourists."

A restaurant that scammed Korean tourists.
[Photo by Google Reviews]

They gathered tourists on the street by shouting the name of the famous Japanese chain 'Torikizoku' and then guided them to another establishment, saying, "The main restaurant is full, so we will take you to an affiliated branch." From the moment the tourists sat down, they were overcharged for various reasons.

They charged 1,000 yen (approximately 9,000 KRW) per person as a seating fee, provided bean sprouts and cabbage salad as basic side dishes, and charged an additional 1,000 yen. On weekends, they added a weekend surcharge, and at the end of December, a year-end surcharge of 1,000 yen was also applied.

Mainichi Shimbun stated, "The arrested group did not explain that there would be charges upon entering the establishment and used tactics such as overcharging under the names of seating fees and weekend charges. Several complaints had already been filed with the Shinjuku Metropolitan Police Department."

A Korean tourist wrote in a review, "Even when I asked the police for help because I was overcharged, they said it was the restaurant's policy and they could not assist," adding, "I am so angry that I am writing this review."

On the review site, this establishment was notorious among Korean tourists as a place that overcharges, with comments such as "Never go there. It's a scam restaurant," and "They serve bean sprout salad and tell you to wait, but it's more expensive than the menu. On top of that, they charge a seating fee. It makes your head spin."

A woman who was deceived and overcharged by the group told local media, "I sat for 15 minutes and paid 20,000 yen," adding, "When I looked at the bill, it included 'Unlimited premium drinks 7,960 yen,' 'Appetizer 2,000 yen,' and 'Weekend charge 2,000 yen,' none of which I ordered."

In response to the controversy, local police stated they would investigate the operation of the establishment, considering the possibility that organized crime groups such as the Yakuza might be involved behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, in November last year, a Korean tourist who was overcharged after drinking at an izakaya in Tokyo also called the police. The tourist, identified as Mr. A, posted online that he and an acquaintance visited an izakaya near their accommodation and ordered nine drinks and three side dishes, but the bill was 16,000 yen. Upon checking, it was found that 16 drinks had been charged. Following a wave of anti-Korean controversy, the restaurant stated it was a mistake and was suspended from business for four days.

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