Picture this: you’re standing in front of a shelf in a Japanese drugstore, holding two different bottles of face wash. The packaging is entirely in Japanese. A friendly staff member walks over and asks you something — and you freeze. Sound familiar? Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan or shopping at a Japanese grocery store near you, knowing the right shopping phrases will turn those awkward moments into smooth, confident interactions.
In this guide, you’ll learn the essential Japanese phrases for every step of the shopping experience — from the moment you walk through the door to the second you walk out with your purchase. We’ll cover convenience stores, department stores, clothing shops, and markets, with real dialogue examples and tips for avoiding the most common mistakes.
| Shopping Context | Key Phrases You Need | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience store (コンビニ) | レシートはいりません、袋はいりません | Polite casual |
| Department store (デパート) | これを見せていただけますか、おいくらですか | Polite / Formal |
| Clothing shop (服屋) | 試着してもいいですか、別のサイズはありますか | Polite casual |
| Market / food stall (市場) | これいくらですか、ひとつください | Casual |
| At the register (レジ) | 現金でお願いします、カードでいいですか | Polite casual |
Entering a Store: What to Say (and Not Say) When You Walk In
The moment you step into almost any Japanese shop, you will hear it: いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase) — “Welcome!” or literally “Please come in.” Staff members say this as a greeting, not as an invitation to conversation. You do not need to respond. A slight nod or a smile is perfectly fine. Saying irasshaimase back would be odd (it’s a phrase only staff use).
If a staff member approaches and asks 何かお敨しですか？(Nanika o-sagashi desu ka?) — “Are you looking for something?” — and you just want to browse, a polite brush-off is:
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| 見ているだけです。 | Mite iru dake desu. | I’m just looking. |
| 大丈夫です。 | Daijoubu desu. | I’m fine, thanks. / No need. |
| ありがとうございます。 | Arigatou gozaimasu. | Thank you. |
見ているだけです (Mite iru dake desu) is probably the single most useful phrase for any traveler in Japan. It’s polite, natural, and immediately understood. Staff will give you space after hearing it.
Finding What You Want: Asking for Items, Colors, and Sizes
Once you’re inside and ready to ask for help, a few core patterns cover almost any situation.
Asking If Something Is Available
The go-to structure is: [Item] + はありますか？(wa arimasu ka?) — “Do you have [item]?”
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| サイズの大きいのはありますか？ | Saizu no ookii no wa arimasu ka? | Do you have a bigger size? |
| 黒い色はありますか？ | Kuroi iro wa arimasu ka? | Do you have it in black? |
| 別のデザインはありますか？ | Betsu no dezain wa arimasu ka? | Do you have a different design? |
| Mサイズはありますか？ | Emu saizu wa arimasu ka? | Do you have size M? |
Pointing Things Out
Japanese has a handy three-way pointing system. You don’t need to know the item’s name — just point and use the right word:
| Word | Use when the item is… | Example phrase |
|---|---|---|
| これ (kore) | Close to you | これはいくらですか？ (How much is this?) |
| それ (sore) | Close to the staff member | それを見せてください。 (Please show me that.) |
| あれ (are) | Far from both of you | あれは何ですか？ (What is that?) |
Asking Where Something Is
Use [Item] + はどこですか？(wa doko desu ka?) — “Where is [item]?”
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| トイレはどこですか？ | Toire wa doko desu ka? | Where is the restroom? |
| エレベーターはどこですか？ | Erebeetaa wa doko desu ka? | Where is the elevator? |
| 子供服はどこですか？ | Kodomo fuku wa doko desu ka? | Where are the children’s clothes? |
Here’s a short dialogue showing these phrases in action:
Yukaすみません、これの黒い色はありますか？ (Sumimasen, kore no kuroi iro wa arimasu ka?) — Excuse me, do you have this in black?
Rei少々お待ちください。確認してまいります。 (Shoushoo o-machi kudasai. Kakunin shite mairimasu.) — Just a moment, please. I’ll go check.
Asking About Prices
Prices in Japan are almost always displayed clearly, but if you need to ask, the key phrase is simple:
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| これはいくらですか？ | Kore wa ikura desu ka? | How much is this? |
| 全部でいくらですか？ | Zenbu de ikura desu ka? | How much is everything together? |
| 値引きはありますか？ | Nebiki wa arimasu ka? | Is there a discount? |
| お得になります。 | O-toku ni narimasu. | That’s a good deal. |
Numbers are crucial here. Japanese prices use 円 (en) for yen. If you hear a number and want to confirm, you can repeat it back: 千五百円ですか？ (Sengohyaku-en desu ka?) — “Is it 1,500 yen?” Staff appreciate the effort.
If something is more than you expected, a polite way to decline is: ちょっと考えます。 (Chotto kangaemasu.) — “I’ll think about it a little.” This is a soft, face-saving way to walk away without saying a flat “no.”
Trying Things On: Clothes Shopping
Clothes shopping in Japan has a few extra phrases worth knowing. Fitting rooms are called 試着室（しちゃくしつのう）(shichakushitsu), and you typically need to ask permission to use them.
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| 試着してもいいですか？ | Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka? | May I try this on? |
| 試着室はどこですか？ | Shichakushitsu wa doko desu ka? | Where is the fitting room? |
| 小さすぎます。 | Chiisasugimasu. | It’s too small. |
| 大きすぎます。 | Ookisugimasu. | It’s too big. |
| ちょうどいいです。 | Choudo ii desu. | It fits perfectly. |
| これにします。 | Kore ni shimasu. | I’ll take this one. |
A note on sizes: Japanese clothing sizes often use S/M/L/XL like Western sizing, but the fit tends to run smaller. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for a larger size — 大きいサイズはありますか？ (Ookii saizu wa arimasu ka?) is a completely normal question and staff hear it all the time from international visitors.
Yukaこれを試着してもいいですか？ (Kore o shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?) — May I try this on?
Reiもちろんでございます。こちらへどうぞ。 (Mochiron de gozaimasu. Kochira e douzo.) — Of course! Right this way, please.
At the Register: Paying, Bags, and Point Cards
The checkout counter in Japan involves a short ritual that surprises many first-time visitors. Here’s what to expect and how to handle each moment.
Paying
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| 現金でお願いします。 | Genkin de o-negai shimasu. | I’ll pay in cash, please. |
| カードでいいですか？ | Kaado de ii desu ka? | Is card okay? |
| バラでお願いします。 | Bara de o-negai shimasu. | Here is the exact change. |
| はい、これでお願いします。 | Hai, kore de o-negai shimasu. | Here you go. (handing over payment) |
Many small shops and traditional markets still prefer or require cash. Convenience stores and department stores almost universally accept IC cards (like Suica or Pasmo) and major credit cards. Before you hand over your card, it’s polite to ask: カードは使えますか？ (Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?) — “Can I use a card?”
Bags
Since Japan introduced mandatory plastic bag fees in 2020, cashiers routinely ask: お袋はよろしいですか？ (O-fukuro wa yoroshii desu ka?) — “Would you like a bag?” If you have your own bag or don’t need one, say:
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| 袋はいりません。 | Fukuro wa irimasen. | I don’t need a bag. |
| 大丈夫です。 | Daijoubu desu. | No thanks, I’m fine. |
| 袋を一枚ください。 | Fukuro o ichimai kudasai. | One bag, please. |
Point Cards and Receipts
Japanese stores love their point card systems. Cashiers will often ask: ポイントカードはお持ちですか？ (Pointo kaado wa o-mochi desu ka?) — “Do you have a points card?” If you don’t, just say 持っていません (Motte imasen) — “I don’t have one.”
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| ポイントカードは持っていません。 | Pointo kaado wa motte imasen. | I don’t have a points card. |
| レシートはいりません。 | Reshiito wa irimasen. | I don’t need a receipt. |
| レシートをください。 | Reshiito o kudasai. | Please give me a receipt. |
| 明細書をください。 | Meisaisho o kudasai. | Please give me an itemized receipt. |
An itemized receipt (明細書（めいさいしょ）) is sometimes needed for business expenses or tax refunds. Department stores and larger shops can provide these on request.
Here’s a full checkout conversation:
Reiこれでよろしいですか？ポイントカードはお持ちですか？ (Kore de yoroshii desu ka? Pointo kaado wa o-mochi desu ka?) — Will that be all? Do you have a points card?
Yukaはい、これで大丈夫です。ポイントカードは持っていません。現金でお願いします。 (Hai, kore de daijoubu desu. Pointo kaado wa motte imasen. Genkin de o-negai shimasu.) — Yes, that’s everything. I don’t have a points card. I’ll pay in cash, please.
Common Mistakes English Speakers Make When Shopping in Japanese
Even learners with solid grammar can trip up on these shopping-specific pitfalls.
Mistake 1: Using ください (kudasai) for everything
ください (kudasai) means “please give me” and works when you’re handing money over and want an item. However, it can sound blunt or childlike when used in place of a full request. Compare:
| Situation | Sounds unnatural | More natural |
|---|---|---|
| Asking to try on clothes | 試着ください。 | 試着してもいいですか？ |
| Asking for help | 手伝いください。 | ちょっとよろしいですか？ |
| Ordering / buying one item | これください。 (OK in markets, casual) | これにします。 (at a shop register) |
Mistake 2: Not knowing how to decline a bag
Many visitors freeze when the cashier asks about bags and end up nodding along (and paying for a bag they didn’t want). Remember: 袋はいりません (Fukuro wa irimasen) — “I don’t need a bag.” Practice saying it before you reach the register!
Mistake 3: Saying ありがとう instead of ありがとうございます
ありがとう (Arigatou) alone is casual — the kind you’d use with close friends. In shops, always use the full form: ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu). It takes just a second longer and makes a noticeably better impression.
Mistake 4: Confusing the “no need” phrase
Both 大丈夫です (Daijoubu desu) and いりません (irimasen) mean “no thanks / I don’t need it,” but the context differs slightly. Daijoubu desu is softer and all-purpose. Irimasen is more direct and specifically means “I don’t need/want it.” Both are perfectly fine; just know that daijoubu desu is the more versatile option.
Decision Flowchart: Which Phrase to Use?
Not sure which phrase fits your situation? Follow this quick guide:
SHOPPING SITUATION
|
+-- Staff approaches you
| |
| +-- You want help --> "Sumimasen..." + your question
| |
| +-- Just browsing --> "Mite iru dake desu."
|
+-- You want an item
| |
| +-- You can see it --> Point + "Kore wa ikura desu ka?"
| |
| +-- You can't find it --> "[Item] wa arimasu ka?"
| |
| +-- You want a different color/size
| --> "Kuroi iro wa arimasu ka?" / "Ookii saizu wa arimasu ka?"
|
+-- You want to try it on --> "Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?"
|
+-- You want to buy it --> "Kore ni shimasu."
|
+-- At the register
|
+-- Paying by cash --> "Genkin de o-negai shimasu."
|
+-- Paying by card --> "Kaado de ii desu ka?"
|
+-- No bag needed --> "Fukuro wa irimasen."
|
+-- No points card --> "Pointo kaado wa motte imasen."
|
+-- Need receipt --> "Reshiito o kudasai."Quick Quiz: Test Your Shopping Japanese
Fill in the blank with the correct Japanese phrase. Answers are below.
- You’re just browsing and a staff member approaches. You say: “________________”
- You want to know the price of a shirt in your hand. You ask: “________________”
- You’d like to try on a jacket. You ask: “________________”
- At the register, the cashier asks about a bag. You don’t need one. You say: “________________”
- You want to pay by card. You ask: “________________”
Answers:
- 見ているだけです。 (Mite iru dake desu.) — I’m just looking.
- これはいくらですか？ (Kore wa ikura desu ka?) — How much is this?
- 試着してもいいですか？ (Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?) — May I try this on?
- 袋はいりません。 (Fukuro wa irimasen.) — I don’t need a bag.
- カードでいいですか？ (Kaado de ii desu ka?) — Is card okay?
Have you ever had an awkward (or great!) shopping experience in Japan? Which phrase do you think you’ll use first? Share in the comments below — we love hearing from learners at every level!
Keep Learning
Shopping phrases are just one piece of the puzzle. Once you’re comfortable at the register, expand your practical Japanese with these related guides:
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About the Author
Daisuke is the creator of JP YoKoSo — a Japanese learning site for English speakers. Every article is written to explain Japanese clearly, with real examples, grammar notes, and practical tips for learners at every level.
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