Shopping in Japan is a fun and cultural experience — from trendy department stores to traditional markets. If you’re preparing for the JLPT or planning a trip, knowing the right Japanese shopping vocabulary and phrases will help you shop with confidence.
This guide covers clothing words, shoe types, shopping phrases, and payment expressions with romaji, so you can use them right away.
👕 Clothing Vocabulary
- ふく (fuku) – Clothes
- シャツ (shatsu) – Shirt
- ズボン (zubon) – Pants / Trousers
- スカート (sukāto) – Skirt
- ドレス (doresu) – Dress
- ジャケット (jaketto) – Jacket
- コート (kōto) – Coat
- きもの (kimono) – Kimono
- Tシャツ (tī-shatsu) – T-shirt
👞 Shoes & Accessories Vocabulary
- くつ (kutsu) – Shoes
- サンダル (sandaru) – Sandals
- スニーカー (sunīkā) – Sneakers
- ぼうし (bōshi) – Hat
- かばん (kaban) – Bag
🎯 Useful Phrases for Shopping
- ほかのサイズがありますか？ (hoka no saizu ga arimasu ka?) – Do you have this in my size?
- ほかのいろは、ありませんか？ (hoka no iro ga arimasuka?) – Do you have other colors?
- しちゃくしてもいいですか？ (shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?) – May I try it on?
- しちゃくしつはどこですか？ (shichakushitsu wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the changing room?
- これはいくらですか？ (kore wa ikura desu ka?) – How much is this?
💰 Payment Vocabulary & Phrases
- げんきん (genkin) – Cash
- クレジットカード (kurejitto kādo) – Credit card
- カードではらえますか？ (kādo de haraemasu ka?) – Can I pay by card?
- レシートをください (reshīto o kudasai) – Please give me the receipt
✨ Cultural Tips for Shoppers in Japan
- No Bargaining – Prices are fixed in most stores. Haggling is not common.
- Irasshaimase! – Shop staff will greet you loudly, but you don’t need to respond.
- Politeness in Fitting Rooms – Use the face cover provided to avoid staining clothes with makeup. Remove shoes before trying on pants.
- Gift-Wrapping – Many stores offer free wrapping. It’s part of Japan’s omiyage (souvenir) culture.
- Cash is King – Always carry some cash, especially in smaller shops or markets.
👉 With these words, phrases, and tips, you’ll not only be ready for your JLPT exams but also enjoy stress-free shopping in Japan!
📖 JLPT Tip
- JLPT N5 & N4 learners should focus on basic clothing items, numbers (for prices), and simple phrases like ikura desu ka?
- JLPT N3 and above should practice polite shopping expressions, more detailed attributes (materials, style), and handling natural-speed listening practice in department stores.
🎓 Ready to Learn More?
At The Oriental Dialogue, we design JLPT-oriented courses that blend practical vocabulary, grammar, and cultural know-how — so you can use Japanese confidently both in exams and real life.
👉 Join our Japanese courses or try our FREE online demo session: Register here
