Ginza Torishin 銀座鳥真: Questionable Tourist Charges

When you're in the mood for "proper" yakitori, you usually look for a spot with a smoky counter and a chef who knows his way around Binchotan charcoal. I found Ginza Torishin available for a same-day booking. Being in Ginza, I expected a premium price, but I didn't expect the "foreigner tax."

The Experience

My favourite Bonjiri

The restaurant is small and cozy—classic Tokyo style. Sitting at the bar, you get a front-row seat to the grilling action, though the space is definitely tight. Service was a mixed bag: one staff member spoke good English and was happy to explain the food and menu, while another seemed to be in a constant rush to get us out.

Appetiser and palate cleanser

The Food

To be fair, the cooking is decent. There’s a lovely charcoal flavour, though some skewers felt a bit undercooked for my personal preference (though this "medium-rare" style is common in high-end yakitori). The seasoning was a bit light, so I found myself reaching for the Shichimi (Japanese Seven Spice) quite often. The standout? The Chicken Bonjiri (Chicken Butt). It was incredibly juicy with perfectly crispy skin—exactly what you want from a fatty cut.

Overall decent yakitori, ginkgo is a bit too bitter

The Bill (The Real Issue)

The course was ¥8,800, which is acceptable for Ginza. However, the dealbreaker was the 20% service charge applied to foreign customers, while locals are only charged 10%. This is highly unusual for Japan and, frankly, feels unjustifiable. It does actually stated on their Tabelog page, but even knowing it's there, paying double the service fee of the person sitting next to you just because of your passport feels like a poor way to start a meal.

Rating
Food: 3.75/5 — Good char and high-quality chicken, but slightly under-seasoned.
Service: 2.5/5 — Inconsistent; felt rushed by half the staff.
Decor: 3.5/5 — Authentic and cozy, but very cramped.
Value: 1.5/5 — The 20% "tourist" service charge is a massive turn-off.
Overall: 3/5 — There are far better yakitori spots in Tokyo that treat everyone equally.

Verdict: Decent skewers, but I will avoid. In a city full of incredible yakitori, there's no reason to support a place that charges you more just for being a visitor.

Estimated Cost: ¥13,000+ per person (after that 20% charge).
Info:
7-3-13 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061 (New Ginza Bldg. 1F/6F)

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