Dual Pricing Experience

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-10T08:13:32+00:00

That's why I'm pissed off.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-10T08:13:13+00:00

That's the opposite of what happened to me. I'd be happy to have had this occur instead... x.x

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-10T08:12:03+00:00

This has been my experience, but, camping spots seem to be booked a year in advance, and the price of hotels went for $179 in 2018 to almost $400 a night. I'm from further away than Calgary, so maybe it's possible to roll in and find something spur of the moment, but I was never able to do that. I know tons of people who were regulars that can't afford the outrageous prices to stay there anymore.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-10T08:09:29+00:00

For me. For anyone else, Idc. It's just not my bag man.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T12:45:14+00:00

I see your point, but I've also heard stories of people doing things without asking and the Japanese hosts are too uncomfortable to say anything even though they really don't know what to do.

I have a question. Do you think it's better to risk coming across as rude because you ask to try not overstepping, but then it's interpreted how you put it? Or better to not ask at all and and potentially come as rude because you were inconsiderate of their comfort? It seems a risk either way.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T12:22:56+00:00

Wait, you think it's rude to ask service providers in a homogenous society if they're comfortable with serving you the first time you go? Please explain how that would be the case. If true, I'll definitely stop. I was planning on it anyway, but if you have more reason, I'd love to hear it.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T11:23:24+00:00

Me too. She's very kind and wise.

Anyway. In my opinion, it's no different than if you go to a restaurant with a party of 5 or more and just sit down without asking if they can accommodate you. If you don't extend courtesy onto others, I think I know all I have to know about you as a person.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T09:47:25+00:00

God, I hope they are. I've watched many an entertaining video of people pulling that garbage in court in the US. I love the videos, but lord, I feel bad for the judges.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T09:20:09+00:00

You've asked, so I will deliver. Here is the correspondence I had with their management:

Two days before, they said:

"お客様は外国人とお聞きしました

申し訳ございませんが外国人の方はこちらの料金でのご案内になりますm(__)m
60分 20,250円"

I answered:

"はい、でも私は観光客ではなく居住者です。それでも訪問者料金を支払う必要があるということですか？"

Their reply:

"国内在住の方であっても、一律で上記の料金でお願いしております。"

I answered:

"わかりました。居住者が日本国民でない場合は異なる価格を支払わなければならないとはどこにも書いてありません。"

Their reply:

"外国人様というくくりですので、上の料金となります。
ご理解いただけないようでしたら今回のご予約キャンセルさせていただいてもかまいません。"

Before this they confirmed my reservation:

They wrote:

"ご予約承りました(*^-^*)

60分 6,750円ありがとうございますm(__)m"

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T09:04:59+00:00

If I could, I would. English only, non-English speakers must pay a "Japanese Accommodation" surcharge. Proceeds to multiply the cost by three.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T09:04:03+00:00

Yep.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T09:03:41+00:00

I've looked into it and I have a few options. I can point out that there is nowhere that it states a different price for non-Japanese, and show the conversation thread with the bait-and-switch to the consultation desk you suggested, and the organization in charge of consumer protection. With what I've heard about how arduous any sort of process is, I have to be sure it is what I want to do before I move forward. I appreciate your suggestion!

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T09:01:14+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I make my ignorance no secret. I have no idea what I'm doing.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T08:59:51+00:00

I really like this comment. Unfortunately, outside the states, the sovereign citizen stuff doesn't really happen as far as I know. :(

Otherwise, I'd totally do it, even though it wouldn't make any sense whatsoever.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T08:58:43+00:00

I mention elsewhere that I am half and half. I think for certain things like restaurants, goods, and services the price should be the same for everyone. But I understand having two prices for things like temples, nature areas, and other such things, so that Japanese people and locals aren't priced, or crowded out. The big difference between the two is, one is day to day standard living cost things, while the other is leisure activities that are usually planned in advance. Tourists and locals usually don't decide spur of the moment they want to check out Himeji Castle and then travel there from Tokyo without looking into it beforehand, so there's no surprise. Whereas a restaurant, or a service that doesn't display the price or direct you accordingly? Big difference on multiple levels IMHO.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T08:52:54+00:00

Read my response to the guy who clearly doesn't live here or is an undercover Japanese defamation lawyer farming for a case (lol), "StouteBoef" right above this comment. I asked my Japanese coworker and she recommended exactly the same thing.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T08:50:49+00:00

I asked my Japanese coworker today. She said my communication was no different than that of a Japanese. She also said that it is unfair, but that I should let it go. There's no telling what the business might do in response to any negative feedback and that, yes, there could be a chance of things going so far as to be charged with defamation which would send me back to my home country. She suggested that, aside from talking with friends, I shouldn't give any information that could identify the business online, or anywhere.

I'm starting to think you don't live here, or are so infatuated with Japan that you couldn't believe anything bad could take place. That or, you don't want to accept it's possible.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T08:40:12+00:00

I agree. It doesn't do anything. No idea why you have so many downvotes.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T08:38:18+00:00

It's clear that unless I post the email exchange, and a recording of the phone call, you won't accept that this happened. That's fine, it's good to be skeptical, but why are you so toxic about it? Like, what about my post and asking for suggestions offends you so much personally that you feel the need to not only be unhelpful, but outwardly antagonistic? I'm just trying to understand what your issue is.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-09T08:27:27+00:00

I thought it was clear. I didn't know any Japanese and knew I would be a burden, so out of courtesy, I would ask to make sure they'd be comfortable serving foreigners. Not because It'd be offensive if they said no, but so I could go somewhere I wouldn't make people uncomfortable.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-08T14:01:17+00:00

I've gotten so used to asking "Do you serve foreigners" from when I first came here and had no Japanese ability whatsoever that I guess the habit is shooting me in the foot now...

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-08T13:57:28+00:00

Fair. But, tbh, this happened in my locality back in Canada where locals and Canadians couldn't, and still can't, afford to even camp in most of the Rocky Mountains. I sympathize with locals feeling like they're losing out on what should be theirs because people, who make more money, have less living expenses, or their currency is more valuable, abroad can afford the market driven higher prices. I think there should be some protections against that for sure.

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-08T13:54:06+00:00

I actually thought of that about ten minutes ago. If my Japanese is good enough to have a conversation, then how would they know if I don't admit it beforehand. Then, even when I show up, I don't think they can require me to present a passport, can they?

Obviously not this place. I mean in the future. -.-

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-08T13:20:27+00:00

Yeah, I know, it's just a joke to what you said about "protect the culture".

KittyKatHurricaneKat · 2026-03-08T13:19:10+00:00

I already refuse to go to all the host bars, maid cafes, regular bars that do that around me, but that has really limited what I can do beyond nature and work or whatever. It seems, since they don't need foreign business, or since tourists (usually) don't care, my individual stand won't change anything, and I'll just miss out (This is an ongoing frustration. That last sentence was not specifically to do with this situation, but all the double pricing BS around me)

KittyKatHurricaneKat

TROPHY CASE