01
牛乳はどこにありますか？
Gyūnyū wa doko ni arimasu ka?
"Where can I find the milk?"
Grammar: Location inquiry pattern using 'doko ni arimasu ka' for finding specific items
Shopping & Daily Life
How to Shop for Groceries in Japan: Japanese Phrases & Vocab
Shopping in a Japanese supermarket can feel overwhelming at first — labels in kanji, unique store etiquette, and different checkout routines. With these phrases and cultural tips, you’ll know how to find what you need, ask questions politely, and shop with confidence.
Understanding Japanese Supermarket Culture and Shopping Customs
You're shopping at a Japanese supermarket (sūpā) and need to locate items, inquire about prices, check for discounts, and interact with store staff during your shopping experience
Essential Japanese Phrases for Grocery Shopping and Supermarket Visits
02
野菜はどこにありますか？
Yasai wa doko ni arimasu ka?
"Where are the vegetables?"
Grammar: Standard location question for finding produce section in supermarkets
03
新鮮なパンはありますか？
Shinsen na pan wa arimasu ka?
"Do you have fresh bread?"
Grammar: Availability inquiry with quality adjective 'shinsen na' (fresh)
04
これはいくらですか？
Kore wa ikura desu ka?
"How much does this cost?"
Grammar: Essential price inquiry using demonstrative 'kore' + price question 'ikura'
05
今日は割引がありますか？
Kyō wa waribiki ga arimasu ka?
"Are there any discounts today?"
Grammar: Time-specific inquiry using 'kyō wa' (today) + existence question
06
クレジットカードで支払えますか？
Kurejitto kādo de shiharaemasu ka?
"Can I pay with a credit card?"
Grammar: Payment method inquiry using 'de' particle + potential form 'shiharaemasu'
07
この商品を探すのを手伝っていただけますか？
Kono shōhin o sagasu no o tetsudatte itadakemasu ka?
"Can you help me find this item?"
Grammar: Polite help request using ultra-respectful 'tetsudatte itadakemasu ka' form
08
米はどの通路にありますか？
Kome wa dono tsūro ni arimasu ka?
"Which aisle is the rice in?"
Grammar: Specific location inquiry using 'dono' (which) + aisle vocabulary 'tsūro'
09
袋は必要ですか？
Fukuro wa hitsuyō desu ka?
"Do you need a bag?"
Grammar: Standard checkout question about bag necessity due to plastic bag fees
10
いいえ、自分の袋があります。
Iie, jibun no fukuro ga arimasu.
"No, I have my own bag."
Grammar: Polite refusal with explanation using possession 'jibun no' (my own)
11
これは国産ですか、輸入ですか？
Kore wa kokusan desu ka, yunyū desu ka?
"Is this domestic or imported?"
Grammar: Either/or choice question about product origin using 'ka...ka' pattern
12
割引は何時から始まりますか？
Waribiki wa nanji kara hajimarimasu ka?
"What time do the discounts start?"
Grammar: Time inquiry using 'nanji kara' (from what time) + verb 'hajimarimasu'
Japanese Grocery Store Etiquette and Shopping Culture Guide
Japanese supermarkets operate with precision and cleanliness standards that exceed most international stores. Staff take pride in helping customers and maintaining perfect product displays, so don't hesitate to ask for assistance ie(“don’t be afraid to say ‘tetsudatte itadakemasu ka’”).
Fresh produce is often premium quality but expensive. Many Japanese shoppers visit multiple stores - supermarkets for basics, specialty stores for specific items, and discount stores for bulk purchases.
Shopping etiquette includes not touching produce unnecessarily, using provided tongs for items like bread, and placing items carefully in baskets. Japanese customers value orderly, respectful shopping behavior.
Many supermarkets offer time-limited discounts (タイムセール) in the evening when they mark down perishables. This is a normal practice, not a sign of poor quality - it's an excellent way to save money.
Self-checkout is increasingly common, but staff assistance is always available. The phrase 'tetsudatte itadakemasu ka' (could you help me?) is universally understood and appreciated by store employees.
Key Japanese Grammar Patterns for Shopping and Store Interactions
[item]はどこにありますか？polite
Location inquiry pattern using 'doko ni arimasu ka' to ask where something is
Essential pattern for finding any item in a store
[item]はありますか？polite
Availability inquiry using 'arimasu ka' to ask if something is in stock
Checking if a specific product is available
これはいくらですか？polite
Price inquiry pattern using 'ikura desu ka' with demonstrative 'kore'
Standard way to ask the price of any item
[payment method]で支払えますか？polite
Payment method inquiry using 'de shiharaemasu ka' (can I pay with...?)
Confirming accepted payment options at checkout
[item]を探しているんですがpolite
Search explanation pattern using '-te iru n desu ga' to explain what you're looking for
When asking staff to help find specific items
Complete Japanese Grocery Store and Food Shopping Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 野菜売り場 | yasai uriba | produce section | Store Sections |
| 肉売り場 | niku uriba | meat section | Store Sections |
| 魚売り場 | sakana uriba | fish section | Store Sections |
| 冷凍食品売り場 | reitō shokuhin uriba | frozen food section | Store Sections |
| 調味料売り場 | chōmiryō uriba | condiment/seasoning section | Store Sections |
| パン売り場 | pan uriba | bakery section | Store Sections |
| 牛乳 | gyūnyū | milk | Dairy |
| 卵 | tamago | eggs | Dairy |
| 米 | kome | rice | Staples |
| パン | pan | bread | Bakery |
| 野菜 | yasai | vegetables | Produce |
| 果物 | kudamono | fruit | Produce |
| 肉 | niku | meat | Protein |
| 魚 | sakana | fish | Protein |
| 買い物かご | kaimono kago | shopping basket | Shopping Tools |
| カート | kāto | shopping cart | Shopping Tools |
| 袋 | fukuro | bag | Shopping Tools |
| エコバッグ | eko baggu | eco bag/reusable bag | Shopping Tools |
| 店員 | ten'in | store clerk | Staff |
| レジ | reji | checkout/cash register | Checkout |
| セルフレジ | serufu reji | self-checkout | Checkout |
| 値段 | nedan | price | Pricing |
| 割引 | waribiki | discount | Pricing |
| セール | sēru | sale | Pricing |
| タイムセール | taimu sēru | time sale (evening discount) | Pricing |
| 特売 | tokubai | special sale | Pricing |
| 現金 | genkin | cash | Payment |
| クレジットカード | kurejitto kādo | credit card | Payment |
| 電子マネー | denshi manē | electronic money | Payment |
| PayPay | PayPay | PayPay (digital payment) | Payment |
| 新鮮 | shinsen | fresh | Quality |
| 国産 | kokusan | domestic/made in Japan | Quality |
| 輸入 | yunyū | imported | Quality |
| オーガニック | ōganikku | organic | Quality |
| 通路 | tsūro | aisle | Directions |
| 階 | kai | floor | Directions |
| 地下 | chika | basement | Directions |
| 入口 | iriguchi | entrance | Directions |
| 出口 | deguchi | exit | Directions |
| 個 | ko | piece/item counter | Quantities |
| パック | pakku | pack | Quantities |
| グラム | guramu | gram | Quantities |
| キロ | kiro | kilogram | Quantities |
Practical Tips for Successful Japanese Supermarket Shopping
Cultural
Evening Shopping for Discounts
Many supermarkets offer time sales (タイムセール) starting around 6-7 PM, marking down perishables like bento, sushi, and prepared foods. This is normal practice and offers significant savings.
Tip
Bring Your Own Bag or Pay the Fee
Since 2020, plastic bags cost extra (usually 3-5 yen). Most Japanese shoppers bring eco-bags (エコバッグ). Staff will ask '袋は必要ですか？' (Do you need a bag?)
Watch Out
Don't Touch Produce Unnecessarily
Japanese shopping etiquette discourages excessive handling of fruits and vegetables. Use provided tongs or bags, and avoid squeezing items to test freshness.
Example:Use tongs for bakery items, gentle handling for produce selection
Tip
Learn Store Layout Vocabulary
Japanese supermarkets organize sections logically. Learning words like '売り場' (uriba = section) helps you navigate: 野菜売り場 (produce), 肉売り場 (meat), etc.
Cultural
Staff Will Go Out of Their Way to Help
Store employees often walk customers to items rather than just giving directions. This level of service (omotenashi) is standard, so don't feel you're imposing by asking for help.
Watch Out
Self-Checkout Requires Following Instructions
Self-checkout machines give specific instructions in Japanese. If confused, staff are always nearby to assist. Don't be afraid to ask '手伝っていただけますか？' (Could you help me?)
Example:Wait for machine prompts, scan items carefully, follow payment screen instructions
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