Every phrase you’ll hear and every phrase you can say while shopping in Japan, grouped by when you’ll actually need it. Find your situation and get the exact line in seconds.
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Browsing & Getting Help
Shopping in Japan usually starts with browsing, asking questions, and checking whether an item comes in your size or preferred color. These phrases cover the conversations that happen before you’re ready to buy.
Getting Attention & Asking Questions
Whether you need help finding something or simply want to let the staff know you’re just browsing, these are the most common phrases you’ll hear and use.
Staff might say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
いらっしゃいませ | irasshaimase | welcome | said to everyone who enters, no response needed |
何かお探しですか？ | Nanika osagashi desu ka? | Are you looking for something? | offered if you seem to be searching |
ごゆっくりご覧ください | Goyukkuri goran kudasai | Please take your time looking around. |
You can say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
すみません | sumimasen | excuse me | your all-purpose way to get attention |
ちょっと見ているだけです | Chotto mite iru dake desu | I’m just looking, thanks. | polite way to decline help for now |
手伝ってもらえますか？ | Tetsudatte moraemasu ka? | Could you help me? | |
これに似た物はありますか？ | Kore ni nita mono wa arimasu ka? | Do you have something similar to this? |
Sizes & Colors
Finding the right size or color is one of the most common parts of shopping. These phrases will help you ask what’s available and understand the staff’s answers.
Staff might say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
サイズはお決まりですか？ | Saizu wa okimari desu ka? | Have you decided on a size? | |
申し訳ございません、そのサイズは在庫がございません | Moushiwake gozaimasen, sono saizu wa zaiko ga gozaimasen | I’m sorry, that size is out of stock. | |
他の色もございます | Hoka no iro mo gozaimasu | We also have other colors. |
You can say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Mサイズはありますか？ | Emu saizu wa arimasu ka? | Do you have a medium? | swap in S (esu), L (eru), or a number size |
少し大きいサイズはありますか？ | Sukoshi ookii saizu wa arimasu ka? | Do you have a slightly bigger size? | swap in chiisai for smaller |
他の色はありますか？ | Hoka no iro wa arimasu ka? | Do you have other colors? | |
私のサイズが分かりません | Watashi no saizu ga wakarimasen | I don’t know my size. | Japanese sizing often differs from Western sizing |
Prices & Discounts
Before deciding to buy, you may want to check the price or ask whether an item is on sale. These phrases cover the most common conversations about pricing and discounts.
Staff might say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
こちらはセール品です | Kochira wa seerubin desu | This is a sale item. | |
会員価格は _____ 円です | Kaiin kakaku wa _____ en desu | The member price is _____ yen. | |
税込み価格です | Zeikomi kakaku desu | This is the tax-included price. | most displayed prices already include tax |
You can say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
いくらですか？ | Ikura desu ka? | How much is it? | |
割引はありますか？ | Waribiki wa arimasu ka? | Is there a discount? | |
これはセール対象ですか？ | Kore wa seeru taishou desu ka? | Is this on sale? |
Trying It On & Checking Out
Once you’ve found something you like, it’s time to try it on, pay for it, and, if you’re eligible, complete the tax-free process. These phrases cover every step from the fitting room to the register.
Fitting Rooms
Trying on clothes in Japan often follows a few store-specific rules. These phrases will help you ask to use the fitting room and request a different size if needed.
Staff might say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
試着なさいますか？ | Shichaku nasaimasu ka? | Would you like to try it on? | |
試着室はあちらです | Shichakushitsu wa achira desu | The fitting room is over there. |
You can say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
試着してもいいですか？ | Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka? | Can I try this on? | |
試着室はどこですか？ | Shichakushitsu wa doko desu ka? | Where is the fitting room? | |
サイズが合いませんでした | Saizu ga aimasen deshita | The size didn’t fit. | |
違うサイズを持ってきてもらえますか？ | Chigau saizu o motte kite moraemasu ka? | Could you bring a different size? |
Payment
Paying in Japan is usually quick and straightforward. These are the phrases you’ll hear at the register and the ones you’ll need to ask about payment methods or receipts.
Staff might say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
お支払いはどうなさいますか？ | Oshiharai wa dou nasaimasu ka? | How would you like to pay? | |
会員カードはお持ちですか？ | Kaiin kaado wa omochi desu ka? | Do you have a membership card? |
You can say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
カードで払えますか？ | Kaado de haraemasu ka? | Can I pay by card? | |
現金でお願いします | Genkin de onegaishimasu | Cash, please. | |
レシートをもらえますか？ | Reshiito o moraemasu ka? | Could I get a receipt? | keep this for tax-free or return purposes |
Tax-Free Shopping
Visitors to Japan can often shop tax-free on eligible purchases. These phrases will help you understand the process from showing your passport to completing the paperwork.
Step 1: Show Your Passport
Staff might say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
パスポートを見せていただけますか？ | Pasupooto o misete itadakemasu ka? | Could you show me your passport? | required for tax-free purchases |
You can say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
免税で買えますか？ | Menzei de kaemasu ka? | Can I buy this tax-free? | usually requires a minimum purchase amount |
Step 2: Sign the Form
Staff might say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
こちらにサインをお願いします | Kochira ni sain o onegaishimasu | Please sign here. |
Step 3: Keep Your Receipt
Staff might say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
出国まで大切に保管してください | Shukkoku made taisetsu ni hokan shite kudasai | Please keep this safely until you leave the country. | customs may ask to see it when you depart |
After You Buy
Even after you’ve paid, you may still want to wrap a gift or return to the store later for an exchange. These phrases cover the conversations that happen after your purchase.
Gift Wrapping
Gift wrapping is a common service in Japan and is often offered at checkout. These phrases will help you request wrapping or answer the staff’s questions.
Staff might say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
ラッピングはご入用ですか？ | Rappingu wa goiriyou desu ka? | Would you like it gift-wrapped? | |
別々に包みますか？ | Betsubetsu ni tsutsumimasu ka? | Should I wrap them separately? |
You can say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
ラッピングをお願いします | Rappingu o onegaishimasu | Gift wrapping, please. | |
プレゼント用です | Purezento you desu | It’s for a gift. |
Returns & Exchanges
If an item doesn’t fit or you change your mind, these phrases will help you ask about returns, exchanges, and refunds.
Staff might say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
レシートはお持ちですか？ | Reshiito wa omochi desu ka? | Do you have the receipt? | almost always required |
こちらは返品可能です | Kochira wa henpin kanou desu | This can be returned. | |
セール品は返品できません | Seerubin wa henpin dekimasen | Sale items can’t be returned. | store policies vary, so it’s worth asking upfront |
You can say:
Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
これを返品したいです | Kore o henpin shitai desu | I’d like to return this. | |
サイズを交換してもらえますか？ | Saizu o koukan shite moraemasu ka? | Could I exchange this for a different size? | |
返金してもらえますか？ | Henkin shite moraemasu ka? | Could I get a refund? |
Bonus Vocabulary
Here are some of the most useful shopping vocabulary words to know. While many appear throughout the phrase list above, having them all in one place makes them easy to review whenever you need a quick refresher.
Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
試着室 | shichakushitsu | fitting room |
会員カード | kaiin kaado | membership card |
割引 | waribiki | discount |
セール | seeru | sale |
免税 | menzei | tax-free |
返品 | henpin | return |
交換 | koukan | exchange |
返金 | henkin | refund |
サイズ | saizu | size |
ラッピング | rappingu | gift wrapping |
在庫 | zaiko | stock, inventory |
税込み | zeikomi | tax included |
FAQ
How does tax-free shopping work for tourists? Bring your passport, since most stores require it to process the exemption, and there’s usually a minimum purchase amount, often around 5,000 yen. You’ll sign a form at checkout and need to keep the attached receipt until you leave Japan.
Can I return items bought in Japan? Policies vary a lot by store. Some allow returns or exchanges with the receipt, while sale items and many boutiques don’t accept returns at all, so it’s worth asking with 『こちらは返品可能ですか？ (Kochira wa henpin kanou desu ka?)』 before you buy.
Do stores in Japan let you haggle over prices? No, haggling isn’t part of retail culture in Japan outside of some flea markets and secondhand shops. Listed prices are generally fixed.
How do I ask for a different size? Say 『他のサイズはありますか？ (Hoka no saizu wa arimasu ka?)』, meaning do you have another size, or specify with 『少し大きいサイズはありますか？ (Sukoshi ookii saizu wa arimasu ka?)』 for something bigger.
Are fitting rooms common in Japanese clothing stores? Yes, most clothing stores have them, though some ask you to remove shoes or wear a face cover to protect the garment, so it’s worth watching for posted instructions near the entrance.
Is it normal for a staff member to stay near me while I shop? Yes, and it’s meant as attentiveness rather than suspicion. Saying 『ちょっと見ているだけです (Chotto mite iru dake desu)』, meaning I’m just looking, is a polite way to signal you don’t need help yet.
Can I pay by card everywhere? Most department stores and chains accept cards, but smaller boutiques and local shops are sometimes cash-only, so it’s worth asking 『カードで払えますか？ (Kaado de haraemasu ka?)』 before you start shopping.
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Shopping in Japan is usually a smooth and enjoyable experience once you know the most common phrases. Save this page for your next trip to Japan, and you’ll always have the right phrase ready whether you’re browsing, trying something on, or paying at the register.
Happy shopping!
お買い物を楽しんでください！
Alex 🛍️✨