Shopping in Japan: Essential Japanese Phrases for a Smooth Experience

Before You Walk Through That Sliding Door

Japan’s shopping scene in 2026 is more tourist-friendly than ever — multilingual kiosks, QR code menus, and English labels in major department stores are now standard in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. But step into a local shotengai (shopping street), a specialty craft shop in Nara, or a vintage clothing market in Shimokitazawa, and you are on your own. Staff will approach you with a full sentence of Japanese, and a blank stare is the fastest way to shut down what could have been a genuinely helpful interaction. Knowing even a handful of shopping phrases changes everything. You stop being a tourist who wanders and leaves, and start being a customer who connects, gets better service, and finds exactly what you came for.

Walking In: Greetings, Staff Phrases, and How to Respond

The moment you enter almost any shop in Japan, you will hear one thing above everything else:

• Irasshaimase (いらっしゃいませ) — pronounced “ee-rash-shai-mah-seh.” This is “Welcome to our store.” You do not need to respond. A small nod or smile is perfectly fine. Many first-time visitors freeze here because they think a reply is expected — it is not.

If a staff member approaches and asks if you need help, you will often hear:

• Nanika osagashi desu ka? (何かお探しですか？) — “Are you looking for something?” Pronounced “nah-nee-kah oh-sah-gah-shee dess-kah.”

Two useful responses depending on your situation:

• Mite iru dake desu (見ているだけです) — “I’m just browsing.” Pronounced “mee-teh ee-roo dah-keh dess.” This is polite, clear, and staff will respect it immediately.
• Chotto mite mo ii desu ka? (ちょっと見てもいいですか？) — “May I have a look?” A softer way to signal you want to explore without pressure.

When you do want help, the most powerful two words you can use are:

• Sumimasen (すみません) — “Excuse me.” Pronounced “soo-mee-mah-sen.” Use this to flag down any staff member. It works in restaurants, on the street, and in every shop in Japan. It is the single most versatile word you will use all trip.

Once you have their attention, point, show a picture on your phone, or use the phrases from the next section. Japanese staff are trained to be patient and helpful — the omotenashi (hospitality) culture means they will try hard to understand you even with limited shared language.

Asking About Products: Price, Size, Colour, and Stock

This is where most travellers get stuck. You have found something you like but need more information. These phrases cover the most common situations:

Price

• Kore wa ikura desu ka? (これはいくらですか？) — “How much is this?” Pronounced “koh-reh wah ee-koo-rah dess-kah.” Point at the item as you say it. Even if the price tag is visible, asking this sometimes prompts staff to mention a sale or discount you would otherwise miss.
• Motto yasui no wa arimasu ka? (もっと安いのはありますか？) — “Do you have anything cheaper?” Pronounced “moht-toh yah-soo-ee noh wah ah-ree-mah-soo kah.” Useful in souvenir shops or markets.

Size and Colour

• Chigau iro wa arimasu ka? (違う色はありますか？) — “Do you have a different colour?” Pronounced “chee-gah-oo ee-roh wah ah-ree-mah-soo kah.”
• Motto ookii saizu wa arimasu ka? (もっと大きいサイズはありますか？) — “Do you have a larger size?” Swap ookii (big) for chiisai (chee-sai, small) if you need smaller.
• Nihon no saizu to kokusai saizu wa chigaimasu ka? (日本のサイズと国際サイズは違いますか？) — “Is Japanese sizing different from international sizing?” Staff in clothing shops are very used to this question and will often pull out a size chart.

Availability and Stock

• Kore wa arimasu ka? (これはありますか？) — “Do you have this?” Great when showing a photo or pointing to a display model.
• Zaikoga arimasu ka? (在庫がありますか？) — “Is it in stock?” Pronounced “zai-koh-gah ah-ree-mah-soo kah.” Useful for electronics and limited-edition items.
• Itsu hairu ka shitte imasu ka? (いつ入るか知っていますか？) — “Do you know when it will be available?” Pronounced “ee-tsoo hai-roo kah shit-teh ee-mah-soo kah.”

Fitting Rooms: Trying Things On Without Confusion

Japanese fitting room etiquette has a few specifics that differ from other countries. Staff typically count the items you are taking in, hand you a numbered token, and ask you to keep the items on their hangers. Here is what you will hear and what to say:

• Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka? (試着してもいいですか？) — “May I try this on?” Pronounced “shee-chah-koo shee-teh moh ee dess kah.” This is the phrase to use at the fitting room entrance. Staff will usually check how many items you have and guide you to a room.
• Nansai made hairemasu ka? (何着まで入れますか？) — “How many items can I take in?” Pronounced “nan-sai mah-deh hai-reh-mah-soo kah.” Most shops allow 3 to 5 items at a time.
• Chotto ookisugiru (ちょっと大きすぎる) — “It’s a little too big.” Pronounced “chot-toh oh-kee-soo-gee-roo.”
• Chotto chiisasugiru (ちょっと小さすぎる) — “It’s a little too small.”

If the item fits but you want to think about it, simply say kangaete mimasu (考えてみます) — “I’ll think about it.” Pronounced “kan-gah-eh-teh mee-mah-soo.” This is completely normal and not considered rude.

One sensory detail worth preparing for: fitting rooms in Japanese department stores often have very bright, cool-white lighting designed to show fabric colours accurately. The staff member who greets you at the fitting room entrance will typically bow slightly, speak softly, and handle your garments with a level of care that genuinely surprises first-time visitors — hanging items back up, smoothing fabric, and presenting them to you with both hands.

Tax-Free Shopping in 2026: What Changed and What to Say

Japan’s tax-free shopping rules shifted again in 2026. The previous system where purchases were exempt from the 10% consumption tax at point of sale was replaced with a refund-at-departure model starting January 2026. This means you now pay the full price including tax in-store, then claim your refund at the airport upon departure. Receipts must be kept, and some retailers now issue a digital tax refund receipt via their app or a government-linked QR system.

The minimum purchase amount for tax refund eligibility remains ¥5,000 within the same store on the same day. Consumables (food, cosmetics, drinks) and non-consumables (electronics, clothing) are still tracked separately under the refund system.

Phrases that are now essential:

• Menzeiten no ryōshūsho o moraemasuka? (免税店の領収書をもらえますか？) — “Can I have a tax refund receipt?” Pronounced “men-zeh-ten noh ryoh-shoo-shoh oh moh-rah-eh-mah-soo-kah.”
• Kore wa zeikin kanpai no taishō desu ka? (これは税金還付の対象ですか？) — “Is this eligible for a tax refund?” Pronounced roughly as “koh-reh wah zeh-kin kan-pai noh tai-shoh dess kah.”
• QR kōdo wa doko de tsukaemasu ka? (QRコードはどこで使えますか？) — “Where can I use the QR code?” For navigating the new digital refund system at airports.

The new system requires your passport at the time of purchase for registration — so carry it when you plan to do serious shopping, especially at electronics stores, department stores, and pharmacies.

At the Register: Paying and Understanding What Cashiers Say

Japan’s cashier interactions follow a fairly predictable script. Knowing what is coming reduces stress dramatically, especially in busy shops where queues form quickly.

What you will commonly hear:

• Pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka? (ポイントカードはお持ちですか？) — “Do you have a points card?” Pronounced “poh-in-toh kah-doh wah oh-moh-chee dess kah.” If you do not, say motteimasen (持っていません) — “I don’t have one.”
• Fukuro wa yoroshii desu ka? (袋はよろしいですか？) — “Would you like a bag?” Since Japan introduced mandatory plastic bag fees, this question is now standard everywhere. Say hai, onegaishimasu (はい、お願いします) for yes, or daijōbu desu (大丈夫です) for “I’m fine without one.”
• Genkin desu ka, kaado desu ka? (現金ですか、カードですか？) — “Cash or card?” Pronounced “gen-kin dess kah, kah-doh dess kah.”

In 2026, IC card payments (Suica, Pasmo) and QR code payments (PayPay, au Pay, LINE Pay) are accepted almost universally — even at small neighbourhood shops that previously were cash-only. Credit cards are widely accepted in cities. Still, rural areas and some traditional craft shops remain cash-preferred.

When paying cash, the cashier will often repeat the total and show it on a small display screen. Hand over your money and say:

• Korekurai de onegaishimasu (これくらいでお願いします) — “Here you go” (presenting payment). A simple nod works too.

Change and receipts are typically placed in a small tray on the counter — not handed directly to you. Pick it up from the tray.

When Things Go Wrong: Returns, Wrong Items, and Complaints

Japan’s return culture is more accommodating than many visitors expect, though it is not as open as in North America. Most department stores and chain retailers accept returns within 8 to 14 days with receipt and original packaging. Specialty shops and vintage stores may not accept returns at all — look for a sign near the register that says henpin fukanou (返品不可能), which means “no returns.”

Useful phrases when something goes wrong:

• Kore wa chigaimasu (これは違います) — “This is not what I ordered/wanted.” Pronounced “koh-reh wah chee-gai-mah-soo.”
• Kowarete imasu (壊れています) — “This is broken/damaged.” Pronounced “koh-wah-reh-teh ee-mah-soo.” Say this immediately if you open packaging and find a defect.
• Henpin shitai no desu ga (返品したいのですが) — “I’d like to return this.” Pronounced “hen-pin shee-tai noh dess gah.” The ga at the end softens the request, which is the natural Japanese way to raise an issue.



• Ryōshūsho wa koko desu (領収書はここです) — “Here is my receipt.” Pronounced “ryoh-shoo-shoh wah koh-koh dess.”

Always approach the service counter calmly and without raising your voice. Displays of frustration are genuinely counterproductive in Japan — staff are more helpful, faster, and more willing to bend policy when the interaction stays polite and quiet.

Specialised Vocabulary for Different Types of Shops

Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics district, a Kyoto pottery shop, and a Harajuku vintage boutique are all completely different shopping environments with different language needs. Here is vocabulary broken down by shop type:

Electronics and Tech Stores

• Nihon de tsukaemasu ka? (日本で使えますか？) — “Will this work in Japan?” (For voltage-compatibility questions.)
• Kaigai de tsukaemasu ka? (海外で使えますか？) — “Will this work overseas?”
• Hoshō wa tsuite imasu ka? (保証はついていますか？) — “Does it come with a warranty?”

Pharmacies and Cosmetics

• Kono seibun wa haitte imasu ka? (この成分は入っていますか？) — “Does this contain this ingredient?” (Show the ingredient on your phone for accuracy.)
• Arerugi ga arimasu (アレルギーがあります) — “I have an allergy.” Follow with the allergen name in English — staff will usually look it up.

Traditional Craft and Souvenir Shops

• Tebukuro wa arimasu ka? (手袋はありますか？) — “Do you have gloves?” (Or substitute any item name.)
• Temiyage ni nari masu ka? (手土産になりますか？) — “Is this suitable as a gift?” Staff will then often offer gift wrapping, called tsutsumi (包み), which is done beautifully and usually free at traditional shops.
• Kore wa doko de tsukuraremashita ka? (これはどこで作られましたか？) — “Where was this made?” A great way to start a real conversation about craft origins, and Japanese artisans are visibly proud when a visitor asks this.

Convenience Stores (Konbini)

Even at 7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart, knowing a few phrases helps at the register:

• Atatamete kudasai (温めてください) — “Please heat this up.” Most konbini will microwave food purchases for you at no charge.



• Hashi wa irimasen (箸はいりません) — “I don’t need chopsticks.” Eco-conscious and useful if you carry your own.
• Fukuro wa irimasen (袋はいりません) — “I don’t need a bag.”

2026 Budget Reality: What Shopping in Japan Actually Costs

The yen remains historically weak against most major currencies entering 2026, making Japan exceptional value for foreign visitors — but prices have crept up at the retail level due to domestic inflation and higher import costs. Here is a realistic picture across spending levels:

Budget Shopping

• Konbini snacks and drinks: ¥150–¥500
• 100-yen shop items (Daiso, Seria, Can★Do): ¥110–¥330 per item after tax
• Souvenir keychains and small omiyage: ¥500–¥1,500
• Vintage clothing from a Shimokitazawa rack: ¥1,000–¥4,000
• Uniqlo basic tee or Heattech top: ¥1,500–¥2,990

Mid-Range Shopping

• Muji quality clothing or homewares: ¥3,000–¥15,000
• Japanese skincare and pharmacy cosmetics (SK-II, Hada Labo, Shiseido): ¥2,000–¥12,000
• Mid-range pottery or lacquerware souvenir: ¥5,000–¥20,000
• Electronics accessories (cables, adapters, audio gear): ¥3,000–¥25,000
• Tax-free threshold: ¥5,000 (minimum qualifying purchase in a single store)

Comfortable / Splurge Shopping

• High-end Japanese ceramics or crafted woodwork: ¥20,000–¥150,000+
• Japanese whisky (Yamazaki, Hibiki, Nikka) at retail: ¥8,000–¥80,000+ depending on edition
• Department store wagyu beef for omiyage: ¥10,000–¥50,000
• Custom kimono or tailored yukata: ¥30,000–¥200,000+
• High-end electronics (cameras, audio equipment): ¥50,000–¥400,000+

In 2026, the average foreign visitor to Japan spends approximately ¥55,000–¥80,000 on shopping across a two-week trip, based on Japan Tourism Agency data. That figure has risen about 18% since 2023, driven by both higher prices and visitors deliberately budgeting more for shopping than they did pre-pandemic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to speak Japanese to shop in Japan in 2026?

No — you can navigate most major city shops using gestures, phone translation apps, and English price tags. But even five to ten Japanese phrases will dramatically improve your experience. Staff respond more warmly, offers more help, and conversations that lead to better purchases become possible. Rural and traditional shops reward any Japanese effort immediately.

Is bargaining acceptable in Japanese shops?

Generally no. Fixed prices are the norm across retail Japan — department stores, chain shops, electronics retailers, and most souvenir shops have non-negotiable prices. Some exceptions exist at flea markets, antique fairs, and small family-run stalls, where politely asking motto yasuku narimasuka? (“Can it be a little cheaper?”) is sometimes accepted without offence.

How does the 2026 tax refund system work for tourists?

As of January 2026, tax refunds are processed at the airport upon departure rather than at point of sale. You pay full price including the 10% consumption tax in-store, receive a tax refund receipt (now often digital via QR code), and claim your refund at designated airport counters. Keep all receipts and carry your passport when shopping to register purchases correctly.

What payment methods are most widely accepted in Japan?

In 2026, IC cards (Suica, Pasmo), major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), and QR code payment apps (PayPay, au Pay) are accepted at the vast majority of shops including many small businesses that were previously cash-only. Cash remains important in rural areas, at traditional craft shops, and some older family-run establishments. Always carry at least ¥5,000–¥10,000 in cash as backup.

What is the best phrase to use if I don’t understand what a cashier is saying?

Say Mou ichido itte kudasai (もう一度言ってください) — “Please say that again.” If you still cannot understand, try Eigo de hanasemasu ka? (英語で話せますか？) — “Can you speak English?” Most large store cashiers in cities will find a colleague who can help, or use a translation tablet now installed at many registers.

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📷 Featured image by Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash.