Before shopping in Japan, it helps to recognize the different coins and bills. There are six types of coins: 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen. The 1 yen coin is extremely light, and both the 5 and 50 yen coins have holes in the middle. The largest and heaviest is the 500 yen coin. For bills, Japan uses 1,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 10,000 yen notes, with a rare 2,000 yen bill still in circulation. New banknotes with updated portraits were introduced in 2024.
While cashless payment options like credit cards and IC cards are spreading, cash is still widely used, especially in small shops or vending machines. When using vending machines, you might see the message “tsurigire,” meaning the machine can't provide change. In such cases, inserting the exact amount is recommended.
When shopping, you might want to ask if a different color or size is available. For example, if you’re looking at shoes and want the black ones, you can say “Kuroi no arimasu ka?” meaning “Do you have the black ones?” The phrase uses the adjective “kuroi” (black) and “no” to stand in for the noun (e.g., shoes) that was previously mentioned or understood from context. This structure is flexible. You can ask for “akai no” (the red one), “ōkii no” (the big one), or “yasui no” (the cheap one) depending on what you're looking for.
If the store has the item, the staff might say “Sugu omochi itashimasu” (I’ll bring it right away) or “Achira ni gozaimasu” (It’s over there). If not, they may say “Sumimasen, arimasen” (Sorry, we don’t have it). They might also say “Kakunin itashimasu” to indicate they’ll check, or “Shōshō omachi kudasai” to ask you to wait a moment.
When you’re ready to buy something, you can simply say the item description followed by “kudasai.” For instance, “Shiroi T-shatsu kudasai” means “I’d like a white T-shirt, please.” This polite and direct phrase works well in most situations. If you’re unsure about the name of an item, you can just point and say “Kore kudasai” to mean “This one, please.” This is especially useful when buying items on display or behind a counter.
100 yen shops are a beloved part of Japanese shopping culture. While most items are priced at 100 yen plus tax, premium tiers now offer products at 200 to 500 yen. Popular chains like Daiso, Seria, and Can★Do provide stylish, functional goods ranging from kitchen tools to travel accessories. Seasonal products like picnic gear, holiday decorations, and New Year cards are also common. These stores are not only affordable but also known for quality and variety.
When you enter a shop, staff will say “Irasshaimase,” a customary greeting. If you’re browsing, they may ask “Nanika osagashi desu ka?” meaning “Are you looking for something?” In fitting rooms, you might hear “Saizu wa dō desu ka?” asking “How is the size?” or “Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?” if you want to try something on. At the register, staff may ask “Fukuro wa goriyō desu ka?” to see if you want a shopping bag, or “Pointo kādo wa omochi desu ka?” to ask if you have a point card. When paying, you may hear “Oshiharai hōhō wa?” meaning “How would you like to pay?” You can respond with “Kādo de onegaishimasu” if you want to pay by card.
Imagine you are shopping in a department store. You want to buy a large suitcase and three white mugs. You can say “Shiroi magu kappu mittsu kudasai” (Three white mugs, please) and “Ōkii sūtsukēsu kudasai” (A large suitcase, please). Practicing these phrases helps build confidence and makes shopping in Japan more fun and rewarding.
