Japanese Shopping Phrases: Essential Store Vocabulary
Master Japanese shopping vocabulary! Learn 50+ phrases for stores, sizes, prices, and bargaining. Perfect for travelers and Japan trip planning.
Ready to shop in Japan? From bustling department stores in Tokyo to quirky boutiques in Kyoto, shopping is a huge part of any Japan experience. But navigating stores without knowing the language can be stressful!
This guide covers everything you need to shop with confidence! 🛍️
Essential Shopping Phrases 🛒
Basic Interactions
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| いらっしゃいませ | Irasshaimase | Welcome! (staff greeting) |
| 見ているだけです | Mite iru dake desu | Just looking |
| これをください | Kore wo kudasai | This one, please |
| ありがとうございます | Arigatou gozaimasu | Thank you |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me (to get attention) |
Store staff will greet you with いらっしゃいませ – you don't need to respond!
Asking for Help
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 〇〇はありますか？ | __ wa arimasu ka? | Do you have __? |
| 〇〇を探しています | __ wo sagashite imasu | I'm looking for __ |
| これは何ですか？ | Kore wa nan desu ka? | What is this? |
| 他の色はありますか？ | Hoka no iro wa arimasu ka? | Do you have other colors? |
| 大きいサイズはありますか？ | Ookii saizu wa arimasu ka? | Do you have larger sizes? |
Example conversation:
Customer: すみません、Tシャツを探しています。 Sumimasen, T-shatsu wo sagashite imasu. Excuse me, I'm looking for T-shirts.
Staff: こちらにございます。 Kochira ni gozaimasu. They're right over here.
Prices & Payment 💰
Asking About Prices
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| いくらですか？ | Ikura desu ka? | How much is it? |
| 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 the total? |
| 高いですね | Takai desu ne | That's expensive |
| 安いですね | Yasui desu ne | That's cheap |
Numbers for Prices
| Number | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 百 | hyaku |
| 1,000 | 千 | sen |
| 10,000 | 万 | man |
¥3,500 = 三千五百円 (sanzen gohyaku en)
Payment Methods
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 現金 | genkin | Cash |
| カード | kaado | Card |
| クレジットカード | kurejitto kaado | Credit card |
| 電子マネー | denshi manee | Electronic money |
| カードは使えますか？ | Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? | Can I use a card? |
| 現金だけですか？ | Genkin dake desu ka? | Cash only? |
At the Register
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| レジはどこですか？ | Reji wa doko desu ka? | Where is the register? |
| 袋はいりません | Fukuro wa irimasen | I don't need a bag |
| レシートをください | Reshiito wo kudasai | Receipt, please |
| お会計をお願いします | Okaikei wo onegai shimasu | Bill/Check please |
Note: Japan charges ¥3-5 for plastic bags now. Bring a reusable bag!
Sizes & Fitting 👗
Size Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| サイズ | saizu | Size |
| S / M / L | esu / emu / eru | S / M / L |
| 小さい | chiisai | Small |
| 大きい | ookii | Big |
| ちょうどいい | choudo ii | Just right |
| きつい | kitsui | Too tight |
| ゆるい | yurui | Too loose |
Fitting Room Phrases
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 試着できますか？ | Shichaku dekimasu ka? | Can I try this on? |
| 試着室はどこですか？ | Shichaku-shitsu wa doko desu ka? | Where's the fitting room? |
Japanese vs International Sizes (approximate):
| Japan Women's | US | EU |
|---|---|---|
| S | XS-S | 34-36 |
| M | S-M | 36-38 |
| L | M-L | 38-40 |
Store Types 🏬
| Japanese | Romaji | Type |
|---|---|---|
| デパート | depaato | Department store |
| コンビニ | konbini | Convenience store |
| スーパー | suupaa | Supermarket |
| 100円ショップ | hyaku-en shoppu | 100 yen store |
| 薬局 / ドラッグストア | yakkyoku / doraggu sutoa | Pharmacy / Drug store |
| 本屋 | honya | Bookstore |
| 電気屋 | denkiya | Electronics store |
| 服屋 | fukuya | Clothing store |
Shopping Categories 🎁
Clothing (服 / 洋服)
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| シャツ | shatsu | Shirt |
| ズボン / パンツ | zubon / pantsu | Pants |
| スカート | sukaato | Skirt |
| ワンピース | wanpiisu | Dress |
| 靴 | kutsu | Shoes |
| 靴下 | kutsushita | Socks |
| 帽子 | boushi | Hat |
Colors (色)
| Japanese | Romaji | Color |
|---|---|---|
| 白 | shiro | White |
| 黒 | kuro | Black |
| 赤 | aka | Red |
| 青 | ao | Blue |
| 緑 | midori | Green |
| 黄色 | kiiro | Yellow |
| ピンク | pinku | Pink |
Souvenirs (お土産)
| Japanese | Romaji | Item |
|---|---|---|
| お土産 | omiyage | Souvenir |
| お菓子 | okashi | Snacks/Sweets |
| 扇子 | sensu | Folding fan |
| 箸 | hashi | Chopsticks |
| 和紙 | washi | Japanese paper |
| 人形 | ningyou | Doll |
お土産を探しています。 Omiyage wo sagashite imasu. I'm looking for souvenirs.
Tax-Free Shopping 🧾
Tax-Free Phrases
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 免税 | menzei | Tax-free |
| 免税できますか？ | Menzei dekimasu ka? | Can I get tax-free? |
| パスポートを見せてください | Pasupooto wo misete kudasai | Show your passport |
| 最低購入金額 | Saitei kounyu kingaku | Minimum purchase amount |
Requirements: Usually ¥5,000+ at one store, same day. Bring your passport!
Convenience Store (Konbini) 🏪
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 温めますか？ | Atatamemasu ka? | Shall I heat it up? |
| 袋はご利用ですか？ | Fukuro wa goriyou desu ka? | Would you like a bag? |
| お箸は何膳ですか？ | Ohashi wa nanzen desu ka? | How many chopsticks? |
| ポイントカードはお持ちですか？ | Pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka? | Do you have a points card? |
Staff often ask rapid-fire questions. Common responses:
- はい (hai) - Yes
- いいえ (iie) - No
- 大丈夫です (daijoubu desu) - I'm fine/No thank you
Useful Responses 💬
| Japanese | Romaji | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| はい、お願いします | Hai, onegai shimasu | Yes, please |
| いいえ、結構です | Iie, kekkou desu | No, thank you |
| 考えます | Kangaemasu | I'll think about it |
| また来ます | Mata kimasu | I'll come back |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bargain in Japan?
No! Prices are fixed in almost all stores. Bargaining is not part of Japanese shopping culture and may cause confusion.
What's the best time for sales?
Summer sales (July) and winter sales (January) offer big discounts. New Year 福袋 (fukubukuro - lucky bags) are especially popular!
Can I return items?
Returns are less common than in Western countries. Keep receipts and don't remove tags. Some stores don't accept returns at all.
Conclusion: Shop with Confidence! 🎉
With these phrases, you're ready to explore Japan's amazing shopping scene – from 100-yen stores to luxury department stores!
Key takeaways: ✅ いらっしゃいませ doesn't need a response ✅ これをください is your power phrase ✅ Carry cash – many places are cash-only ✅ サイズ runs smaller – try before buying ✅ Look for 免税 for tax-free savings
Your next step: Read store signs and product labels! Master hiragana with KanaDojo → and unlock Japan's shopping world.
いい買い物を！(Ii kaimono wo!) Happy shopping! 🛍️
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