Japanese Shopping Phrases: Everything You Need to Shop in Japan

Target level: JLPT N5–N4 / Beginner–Lower Intermediate
Topic: A complete phrase guide for shopping in Japan — from entering a store to paying and leaving — with real dialogues, counters, online shopping vocabulary, common mistakes, and a decision flowchart.

Picture this: you walk into a shop in Tokyo’s Shibuya, and before you’ve even taken two steps, someone calls out cheerfully from behind the counter. A friendly staff member glides over and says something you don’t quite catch. Do you smile? Do you run? Knowing even a handful of Japanese shopping phrases will turn those freeze-and-panic moments into smooth, confident interactions — and honestly, it might be the most satisfying Japanese you ever use in real life.

In this guide, you’ll learn the essential phrases for every step of the shopping experience in Japan: entering a store, asking for items and prices, trying on clothes, checking out, and even shopping online. We’ll also cover which counters to use, when (and where) bargaining is acceptable, and the mistakes English speakers most commonly make.

Entering and Browsing: The First Things You’ll Hear

The moment you step into almost any Japanese shop, you will hear: いらっしゃいませ（いらっしゃいませ）(irasshaimase) — “Welcome!” It is a ritual greeting, not an invitation to conversation. You do not need to respond. A nod or a smile is perfectly natural. (Saying irasshaimase back would be unusual — it’s a phrase only staff use.)

If a staff member approaches while you are browsing, they may ask: 何かお探しですか？（なにかおさがしですか？）(Nanika o-sagashi desu ka?) — “Are you looking for something?” If you just want to browse, the most useful phrase in your whole shopping vocabulary is:

見ているだけです (Mite iru dake desu) is polite, natural, and instantly understood. Staff will give you space after hearing it. If you do need help locating something, use the pattern [Item] + はありますか？ (wa arimasu ka?) — “Do you have [item]?” — or [Item] + はどこですか？ (wa doko desu ka?) — “Where is [item]?”

Here is a short dialogue showing these phrases in a real browsing situation:

Rei

何かお探しですか？ (Nanika o-sagashi desu ka?) — Are you looking for something?

Yuka

見ているだけです。ありがとうございます。 (Mite iru dake desu. Arigatou gozaimasu.) — I’m just looking, thank you!

Asking About Price, Sizes, and Colors

Prices in Japan are almost always displayed clearly, but it is good to know how to ask. The essential question is これはいくらですか？（これはいくらですか？）(Kore wa ikura desu ka?) — “How much is this?” The staff will respond with a number followed by 円（えん）(en) — yen.

Japanese also has a handy three-way pointing system that works even if you don’t know the item’s name:

A note on sizes: Japanese clothing tends to run smaller than Western sizing. Do not hesitate to ask for a larger size — staff are used to this from international visitors and will help you find the right fit.

Here is a dialogue for asking about price and size:

Yuka

すみません、これはいくらですか？あと、大きいサイズはありますか？ (Sumimasen, kore wa ikura desu ka? Ato, ookii saizu wa arimasu ka?) — Excuse me, how much is this? And do you have a larger size?

Rei

こちらは三千五百円でございます。大きいサイズもございますよ。少々お待ちください。 (Kochira wa sanzenhyakugo-en de gozaimasu. Ookii saizu mo gozaimasu yo. Shoushoo o-machi kudasai.) — That’s 3,500 yen. We do have a larger size — just one moment, please.

At the Register: Paying, Bags, and Receipts

The checkout counter in Japan has its own small ritual. Cashiers work quickly and politely, and knowing what they’re asking will save you from nodding blankly and ending up with things you didn’t want.

Paying

Many small shops and traditional markets still prefer or require cash. Convenience stores and department stores almost universally accept IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) and major credit cards. It is polite to ask before handing over your card.

Bags

Since Japan introduced mandatory plastic bag charges in 2020, cashiers routinely ask: お袋はよろしいですか？（おふくろはよろしいですか？）(O-fukuro wa yoroshii desu ka?) — “Would you like a bag?” If you brought your own or don’t need one:

Point Cards and Receipts

Japanese shops are famous for their point card systems. Cashiers will often ask: ポイントカードはお持ちですか？（さいていはおもちですか？）(Pointo kaado wa o-mochi desu ka?) — “Do you have a points card?” If not, simply say 持っていません（もっていません）(Motte imasen) — “I don’t have one.”

Here is a full checkout dialogue:

Rei

ポイントカードはお持ちですか？お袋はよろしいですか？ (Pointo kaado wa o-mochi desu ka? O-fukuro wa yoroshii desu ka?) — Do you have a points card? Would you like a bag?

Yuka

ポイントカードは持っていません。袋はいりません。現金でお願いします。 (Pointo kaado wa motte imasen. Fukuro wa irimasen. Genkin de o-negai shimasu.) — I don’t have a points card. I don’t need a bag. I’ll pay in cash, please.

Counters for Shopping: 個、枚、本

When you say “one bag, please” or “two apples,” Japanese uses special counting words called counters（数助詞）(josushi). You don’t need to master all of them for shopping, but three come up constantly:

If you can’t remember the right counter, using the general number words (ひとつ/hitotsu, ふたつ/futatsu, etc.) is always understood and perfectly polite. Nobody will think less of you for using them.

Can You Bargain in Japan? A Note on Fixed Prices

Japan is almost entirely a fixed-price culture（定価制）(teikakusei). In department stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, and the vast majority of shops, the price on the tag is the price you pay. Attempting to negotiate will almost always be met with polite confusion — and possibly embarrassment for everyone involved.

That said, there are a small number of situations where bargaining is accepted:

The key phrase for polite bargaining is: 少し安くなりますか？（すこしやすくなりますか？）(Sukoshi yasuku narimasu ka?) — “Can it be a little cheaper?” Always smile, keep your tone light, and accept the answer graciously either way.

Online Shopping Vocabulary

Shopping on Japanese websites — Amazon Japan, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping — opens up enormous variety, especially for specialty items you might not find in physical stores. Here are the key terms you will encounter:

Two phrases particularly worth knowing: 送料無料 (souryou muryou) is the magic banner that means “free shipping” — look for it when comparing sellers. And if you see 在庫なし (zaiko nashi) next to an item, it is out of stock. You can sometimes click 在庫必着メール（ざいこひっちゃくめーる）(zaiko hicchaku me-ru) — “Notify me when back in stock.”

Common Mistakes English Speakers Make When Shopping in Japanese

Even learners with solid grammar trip up on these shopping-specific pitfalls.

Mistake 1: Responding to いらっしゃいませ

Many beginners feel they must respond to いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase) with something — so they say it back, or mumble arigatou. In reality, no response is needed or expected. A nod is fine. Saying irasshaimase back sounds as strange to Japanese ears as a customer shouting “Welcome!” back at a barista.

Mistake 2: Not knowing how to decline a bag

Many visitors freeze when the cashier asks about a bag and end up nodding along — then paying for one they didn’t want. Drill this phrase before you travel: 袋はいりません (Fukuro wa irimasen) — “I don’t need a bag.” It will save you both money and guilt about single-use plastic.

Mistake 3: Using 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 — fine for close friends, awkward in a shop. Always use the full form in any retail interaction: ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu). It takes two extra syllables and makes a noticeably better impression.

Mistake 4: Assuming bargaining is always okay

As covered above, Japan operates on fixed prices almost everywhere. Trying to negotiate at a clothing store or convenience store will confuse the staff and create awkwardness. Save your bargaining phrases for flea markets and antique fairs only.

Mistake 5: Using ください (kudasai) for everything

ください (kudasai) means “please give me” and works well at a market stall or when pointing at a specific item. However, when asking permission (e.g., to try something on) or asking a question, the pattern changes:

Decision Flowchart: Which Phrase to Use?

Not sure which phrase fits the moment? 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?"
      |         |
      |         +-- Want a different color --> "Betsu no iro wa arimasu ka?"
      |         |
      |         +-- Want a different size --> "Ookii / chiisai 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 haraemasu ka?"
      |         |
      |         +-- No bag needed --> "Fukuro wa irimasen."
      |         |
      |         +-- No points card --> "Pointo kaado wa motte imasen."
      |         |
      |         +-- Need receipt --> "Reshiito o kudasai."
      |
      +-- Price is too high --> "Chotto kangaemasu." (polite decline)

Quick Quiz: Test Your Shopping Japanese

Fill in the blank with the correct Japanese phrase. Answers are below.

1. A staff member walks toward you but you’re just browsing. You say: “________________”
2. You want to know the price of a shirt. You ask: “________________”
3. You’d like to try on a jacket. You ask: “________________”
4. At the register, the cashier asks about a bag. You don’t need one. You say: “________________”
5. You want to pay by credit card. You ask: “________________”
6. You’re at a flea market and want to ask for a small discount. You say: “________________”

Answers:

1. 見ているだけです。 (Mite iru dake desu.) — I’m just looking.
2. これはいくらですか？ (Kore wa ikura desu ka?) — How much is this?
3. 試着してもいいですか？ (Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?) — May I try this on?
4. 袋はいりません。 (Fukuro wa irimasen.) — I don’t need a bag.
5. カードで払えますか？ (Kaado de haraemasu ka?) — Can I pay by card?
6. 少し安くなりますか？ (Sukoshi yasuku narimasu ka?) — Can it be a little cheaper?

Have you ever had a funny, awkward, or unexpectedly smooth shopping experience in Japan? Which phrase do you think you’ll use first on your next trip? Share in the comments below — we love hearing from learners at every level!

Keep Learning

Shopping phrases are just one part of navigating Japan with confidence. Expand your practical Japanese with these related guides:

あわせて読みたい

Japanese Restaurant Phrases: Order, Pay, and Eat with Confidence Ordering food in Japan doesn't require perfect Japanese — but knowing the right phrases turns a nerve-wracking experience into a fun one. Whether you're at a...

あわせて読みたい

Japanese Numbers Complete Guide: Sino-Japanese, Native, and Formal Kanji Number systemWhen usedExampleSino-Japanese (一二三...)Counting, math, money, dates一万五千三百 = 15,300...

あわせて読みたい

Japanese Train Announcements: Vocabulary and Phrases for Travelers Announcement typeJapaneseMeaningNext stop次は、　　です。The next stop is ___.Doors closingドア&#...