Japanese nightlife bill words explained

Set charge

On a Japanese price list: セット料金 (setto ryōkin)

The price per person for a fixed block of time, usually 60 minutes. It normally includes basic house drinks for the guest, and the price often goes up later in the evening or in VIP seats.

First set price on the venue pages on this site: ¥2,750 to ¥22,000 per person (116 venues).

Extension

On a Japanese price list: 延長 (enchō)

Another block of time, usually 30 minutes, charged per person. At many venues time extends automatically (自動延長) unless you say you are leaving.

Extensions on the venue pages on this site: ¥1,500 to ¥8,300 per person (110 venues).

Nomination (hon-shimei)

On a Japanese price list: 本指名 (hon-shimei)

A fee for asking for a specific hostess by name, usually one you have met before. At some venues it is charged again every hour or every extension.

Nomination fees on the venue pages on this site: ¥1,000 to ¥4,400 (110 venues).

In-house nomination (jōnai-shimei)

On a Japanese price list: 場内指名 (jōnai-shimei)

A fee for asking a hostess you met that night to stay at your table. Staff may ask whether you want to nominate someone; saying no is fine.

In-house nomination fees on the venue pages on this site: ¥1,200 to ¥3,300 (35 venues).

Dohan

On a Japanese price list: 同伴 (dōhan)

Meeting a hostess before the club, usually for dinner, and arriving together. There is a fee for this, and the meal is paid by the guest.

Dohan fees on the venue pages on this site: ¥2,000 to ¥5,500 (98 venues).

Lady's drink

On a Japanese price list: キャストドリンク (kyasuto dorinku)

A drink you buy for the hostess at your table. Each one is charged, and over an evening they often add more to the bill than the set charge. You can ask staff to check with you before ordering one.

Service charge ("TAX")

On a Japanese price list: サービス料（TAX） (sābisu-ryō)

A percentage added to the subtotal. Price lists often write it as "TAX" or "TAX/SC", even though it is not a tax. It is the main reason a bill is higher than the prices on the menu.

Service charge on the venue pages on this site: 10% to 38% (100 venues).

Consumption tax (included or extra)

On a Japanese price list: 消費税（税込・税別） (shōhizei)

Japan's 10% consumption tax. Some venues include it in their prices (税込), others add it at the end (税別), usually on top of the service charge.

Of the venue pages on this site that say, 30 include tax in their prices and 36 add it on top.

Table charge

On a Japanese price list: テーブルチャージ (tēburu chāji)

A per-person charge for the seat, added on top of the set at some venues. It is easy to miss when you compare set prices between venues.

Bottle keep

On a Japanese price list: ボトルキープ (botoru kīpu)

Buying a whole bottle and having the venue keep it for your next visit, usually for a few months. Bottles are priced separately from the set and are often the largest item on a bill.

VIP seats and private rooms

On a Japanese price list: VIP・個室 (kōshitsu)

VIP seats have a higher set price, and private rooms often add a room charge. Many venues charge a single guest in a private room as two people.

Free (no nomination)

On a Japanese price list: フリー (furī)

Visiting without nominating anyone. The venue rotates hostesses to your table, and you pay only the set and what you order.

Kyabakura (hostess club)

On a Japanese price list: キャバクラ (kyabakura)

A club where hostesses sit and talk with guests at the table, billed by set time. A "new club" (ニュークラブ) is a more upscale version, and a high-end club in Ginza or Kitashinchi is quieter and more expensive again.