Restaurant Scams in Kanazawa, Japan

How it works

Kanazawa is a gateway to Noto Peninsula seafood, and Echizen and Zuwai crab (kani) are heavily marketed from November through March. Some restaurants in the Omicho Market area and near Kanazawa Station advertise "fresh Noto crab" at premium prices (¥3,000–¥8,000 per dish) but serve imported Russian or Canadian snow crab, or previously frozen product. Souvenir shops similarly sell "local crab" crackers, pastes, and seasonings that contain no actual local crab.

How it works

Some restaurants near Higashi Chaya and the Omicho Market area advertise omakase (chef's selection) menus at an entry price of ¥3,000–¥5,000 displayed outside, then seat visitors and present a different menu starting at ¥8,000–¥15,000, claiming the lower price is "not available today" or "only for reservations made in advance." The practice relies on tourists being reluctant to leave after being seated.

How it works

Several tea houses and upscale restaurants in the Higashi Chaya geisha district add a seating charge (seki-ryou) or service fee that is listed only on a small Japanese-language notice at the entrance or at the bottom of the menu. Visitors who sit down and order discover an additional ¥500–¥1,500 per person charge that was not mentioned by staff. This is legal under Japanese consumer law but deliberately unclear for non-Japanese readers.