【日本語】買い物で使える必須フレーズ！いくらですか？| Japanese with Maki #14
買い物で使える必須フレーズ！
いくらですか？ 🛍️
Essential Japanese Shopping Phrases —
How to Ask Prices, Pay, & Chat Like a Local
Hi everyone! I’m Maki, your Japanese teacher from Tokyo 🗼. Today’s lesson is one of the most practical and instantly useful ones I teach: how to shop in Japan. Whether you’re planning a trip to Ginza, Shibuya, Kyoto, or your local Japanese grocery store abroad, the phrases in this lesson will let you ask prices, pay confidently, and even sound polite. And the star of the show? The magical little sentence いくらですか？ — “How much is it?” Let’s start! 一緒に頑張りましょう ✨
Maki / まきJapanese teacher · Tokyo 🗼
Making Japanese easy and beautiful for learners around the world. I love teaching everyday phrases you can use the moment you step into Japan — starting with 「いくらですか？」🛍️
Step 1Why “How Much Is It?” Is Priority #1 なぜ「いくらですか？」から学ぶのか
Ask any Japanese teacher what phrase travelers use most in Japan and the answer is almost always the same: 「いくらですか？」 — Ikura desu ka? — “How much is it?”
That’s because shopping is the most interactive part of a trip. You’ll ask the price of a matcha ice cream in Kyoto, a keychain in Asakusa, a bento at a station kiosk, an omiyage box in a department store. Each time, one small question opens the whole conversation. Once you can ask ikura desu ka confidently, you can shop in Japan. It’s that powerful. ⚡
Shopping in Japan is genuinely fun because customer service is famously kind and patient. Staff will often show you the price on a calculator (電卓・でんたく・dentaku) or point to the register display. So even if you don’t catch every word, you can complete the transaction. But knowing the phrases makes it 10倍楽しい — ten times more fun! 😊
🎯 What you’ll master in this lesson
- The perfect way to say “How much is it?” — polite, casual, and gestural versions
- The numbers & yen amounts you’ll actually hear at the register
- Essential shopping vocabulary — shop, item, receipt, bag, tax
- A full store dialogue script you can rehearse before your trip
- How to say “this / that / that over there” + please give me
- Paying — cash, card, IC card, tax-free — with the phrases you’ll hear
- Cultural notes that make you sound like a considerate visitor
Step 2The Magic Phrase 🪄 「いくらですか？」を完全に分解する
Let’s break it down. Japanese grammar is beautifully modular — every part has a clear job.
So the whole sentence literally reads: “How much + is + [question]?”. Simple, symmetrical, and easy to remember. 🌟
💬 Variations you can use in real life
| Japanese | Reading | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| いくらですか？ | ikura desu ka | Standard polite. Use anywhere — shops, restaurants, taxis. |
| これ、いくらですか？ | kore, ikura desu ka | “How much is this?” — pointing at an item. Very natural. |
| お値段はいくらですか？ | o-nedan wa ikura desu ka | Extra polite — great for formal shops or expensive items. |
| いくら？ | ikura? | Casual — only with close friends or in a friendly market chat. |
| 全部でいくらですか？ | zenbu de ikura desu ka | “How much for everything (all together)?” at the register. |
The “point & ask” combo
Japanese is a very context-friendly language. You can simply point at the item and say 「これ、いくらですか？」 (“How much is this?”). Even if you know zero other words, this gets you through 90% of shopping situations. Try it with an omiyage box at your first station kiosk! 🎁
🌸 Handy for Your Japan Trip Planning
If you’re preparing for a trip or a serious study block, having the right resources really helps. Here’s something I recommend for learners at this level.
Step 3Numbers & Yen You’ll Actually Hear 実際にお店で聞こえてくる金額
When you ask ikura desu ka, you’ll hear a price back in Japanese. To catch it, you need numbers plus the counter for money (円 / yen). Let’s start with the essentials! 💴
🔢 Basic numbers 1–10
💴 Big numbers for real prices
| Amount | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 100円 | 百円 | hyaku en (¥100 ≈ small snack) |
| 500円 | 五百円 | go-hyaku en (¥500 ≈ coffee) |
| 1,000円 | 千円 | sen en (¥1,000 ≈ meal set) |
| 1,500円 | 千五百円 | sen go-hyaku en |
| 3,000円 | 三千円 | san-zen en (¥3,000 ≈ nice bento box) |
| 5,000円 | 五千円 | go-sen en (¥5,000 ≈ mid-range souvenir) |
| 10,000円 | 一万円 | ichi-man en (¥10,000 ≈ omiyage set / kimono accessory) |
| 15,800円 | 一万五千八百円 | ichi-man go-sen happyaku en (real price example) |
Step 4Essential Shopping Vocabulary お店で使う基本の言葉
These eight vocabulary cards cover almost every shopping situation. Learn the kanji shape, the reading, and the example sentence. Try to picture where you’d use each one! 🛒
The prefix お (o-) makes things polite & cute 🎀
Notice how 店 (mise) becomes お店 (o-mise), and 土産 (miyage) becomes お土産 (o-miyage)? That little o- at the start is a Japanese “beautifier” prefix — it adds politeness and friendliness. You’ll see it on lots of everyday words: お茶 (o-cha, tea), お水 (o-mizu, water), お金 (o-kane, money). It’s like putting a little bow 🎀 on your words!
Step 5Real Store Dialogue — Full Script 実際のお店の会話 — ロールプレイ
Let’s put it all together with a realistic dialogue you might have at a small souvenir shop in Asakusa or Kyoto. Read it out loud — that’s the best way to make the phrases stick! 🎭
The staff’s line 「かしこまりました」 (kashikomarimashita) is a very polite way to say “Certainly / Understood.” You’ll hear this in nice shops, restaurants, and hotels. You don’t need to say it back — just 「ありがとうございます」 is perfect. Japanese customer service is one of my favorite things about my country! 🇯🇵💖
YouTube Short
→ Watch on YouTubeStep 6これ・それ・あれ + ください Polite Requests — “This / That / That over there, please”
This is one of the most useful mini-lessons in Japanese. The three “this / that” words plus the word ください (kudasai — “please give me”) let you buy anything, order anything, and be understood in almost any shop.
👉 The three demonstratives
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| これ | kore | This — near me, near the speaker |
| それ | sore | That — near you (the listener) |
| あれ | are | That over there — far from both of us |
Now attach the object particle を (o) and add ください:
- これをください。 Kore o kudasai. — “This one, please.”
- それをください。 Sore o kudasai. — “That one, please.”
- あれをください。 Are o kudasai. — “That one over there, please.”
➕ Adding quantity
To say “two of these, please” you use the counter 〜つ (tsu) for general items:
- これを一つください。 Kore o hitotsu kudasai. — “One of these, please.”
- これを二つください。 Kore o futatsu kudasai. — “Two of these, please.”
- これを三つください。 Kore o mittsu kudasai. — “Three of these, please.”
📚 Another Handy Study Resource
Consistent daily study is the real secret to fluency. Here’s another option worth checking out — many of my students use it.
Step 7Paying — Cash, Card, IC Card & Tax-Free 支払い方法とタックスフリー
Japan has become more card-friendly in recent years, but cash is still very common — especially in smaller shops, temples, family-run restaurants, and traditional markets. Knowing the payment vocabulary helps you avoid awkward moments at the register. 💳💴
💳 Payment method phrases
| Situation | Japanese | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Staff asks method | お支払いはどうなさいますか？ | o-shiharai wa dō nasaimasu ka? — “How would you like to pay?” |
| Pay by card | カードでお願いします。 | kādo de onegaishimasu — “By card, please.” |
| Pay by cash | 現金でお願いします。 | genkin de onegaishimasu — “In cash, please.” |
| Pay by IC card | スイカで払えますか？ | Suika de haraemasu ka? — “Can I pay with Suica?” |
| Split the bill | 別々でお願いします。 | betsu-betsu de onegaishimasu — “Separately, please.” (at restaurants) |
| One check | 一緒でお願いします。 | issho de onegaishimasu — “Together, please.” |
🏷️ Tax-free shopping — the magic word
Many stores in Japan (especially Bic Camera, Don Quijote, department stores, and select boutiques) offer tax-free shopping for tourists when purchases exceed a certain amount (usually ¥5,000). Look for the yellow “Tax-Free” sign at the entrance!
免税・タックスフリー — Tax-Free (menzei / tax-free)
The Japanese word for tax-free is 免税 (めんぜい・menzei). To ask: 「免税できますか？」 Menzei dekimasu ka? (“Can I do tax-free?”). You’ll need your passport at the register. Some stores will pack your items in a sealed bag that must stay closed until you leave Japan. 🛂✈️
Convenience store payment magic ✨
At コンビニ (konbini — convenience stores) like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart, you can pay by cash, credit card, IC card (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA), and even QR code (PayPay, LINE Pay). The register displays your total in giant numbers, so even if you don’t catch the spoken price, you’ll always see the amount clearly. 🏪
Step 8Culture Notes — Bowing, Otsukaresama & Small Gifts お買い物にまつわる日本の文化
Japanese shopping culture is famous worldwide for its omotenashi (お・も・て・な・し) — heartfelt hospitality. Understanding a few cultural signals will make you feel confident and appreciated as a customer. 🌸
いらっしゃいませ — “Welcome!”
The moment you enter any shop, staff will say 「いらっしゃいませ！」 (irasshaimase). It’s the polite welcome greeting. You don’t need to reply — a small nod or smile is perfect. If two or more staff spot you, all of them will greet at once. Don’t be startled — it’s part of the warmth of Japanese customer service. 🙇♀️
Money on the tray — お金はトレイに
Most Japanese registers have a small tray (トレイ) for money exchange. Place your cash or card on the tray rather than handing it directly. Staff will do the same when returning change. This is a small but very common ritual — following it makes you look polite and thoughtful. 🍽️
Gift wrapping — 包装 (hōsō)
If you’re buying an omiyage, ask 「包装してもらえますか？」 (hōsō shite moraemasu ka?) — “Could you wrap this?” Japanese gift wrapping is famously exquisite, often free, and adds a beautiful cultural touch. Perfect for gifts you’ll bring home! 🎀
Two-hand ceremony — 両手で
When receiving a receipt, change, or your wrapped item, use both hands (両手で・りょうてで・ryōte de) if you can. It shows respect and appreciation. This small gesture is one of the fastest ways to show cultural awareness — Japanese hosts really notice it! 👐
Please don’t stress about being “perfect” — Japanese people are incredibly warm to visitors who try. A smile, a small bow, and a genuine 「ありがとうございます」 at the end will make you welcome anywhere in Japan. Shopping is meant to be fun! 🛍️💖
Step 9Practice Quiz ✏️ Let’s check your understanding!
Try to answer in your head before revealing. There’s no wrong way to learn — mistakes are proof you’re growing! 💪✨
Shopping Quiz — 6 Questions
Step 10Pronunciation Tips from Maki 発音のコツ — Sound Natural
A few small pronunciation tricks will make your Japanese shopping phrases sound instantly more natural. Try these! 🎤
🎙️ The soft “i” in ikura
The word いくら (ikura) starts with a very short, soft “i” — almost like the “i” in “sit.” Don’t drag it out. And the “u” is quite quiet — some speakers barely voice it. Try: “ee-koo-rah” said quickly and smoothly.
🎙️ “Desu ka?” rises gently at the end
Unlike English, Japanese question intonation is very gentle. The final “か (ka)” rises just a little — not a big swoop up like English “Really?!” Try saying ikura desu ka flat, then just tilt the last “ka” up slightly. That’s the natural music of a Japanese question.
🎙️ Numbers to practice out loud
Say these three prices out loud right now. It really helps:
- 三百円 (san-byaku en) — ¥300
- 千二百円 (sen ni-hyaku en) — ¥1,200
- 一万五千円 (ichi-man go-sen en) — ¥15,000
Maki’s favorite study habit 🌟
Every day when you see a price tag on anything — coffee, groceries, an online purchase — say the price out loud in Japanese, even if it’s approximate. This trains your brain to convert numbers into Japanese effortlessly. By the time you arrive in Tokyo, prices will just click! ☕🧠
Many learners tell me they get the fastest improvement when they mix daily exposure with the right supporting resources. Grammar books available on Amazon are still one of the best ways to solidify sentence patterns. If you’re a tech-savvy learner, tools like Cursor AI can help you build your own vocabulary flashcards. And creative learners love turning phrases into songs with MusicCreator AI — songs stick in memory faster than lists! 🎵
もっと一緒に日本語を学びましょう！
Want personalized Japanese practice with Maki? Explore my full learning support program — perfect for travelers and serious learners.
→ 日本語学習サポート / Learn with MakiFAQFrequently Asked Questions よくある質問
いくら (ikura) asks about money / price — “How much (money)?” いくつ (ikutsu) asks about quantity / count — “How many?” So: 「これはいくらですか？」 = How much is this? and 「りんごはいくつありますか？」 = How many apples are there?
Generally no — prices are fixed in most Japanese shops (unlike some other Asian markets). The exception is used-goods markets (古着屋・ふるぎや) or Osaka’s flea markets, where light haggling can happen. Attempting to bargain at a regular store may feel awkward for the staff. Enjoy the fixed-price convenience! 🏷️
No — no tipping in Japan! Tipping is not part of the culture and can actually cause confusion or gentle refusal. The service is included in the price. Great service is simply the standard — おもてなし (omotenashi) at its best. 🇯🇵
Use 「大丈夫です」 (daijōbu desu) — literally “I’m fine / It’s OK.” This is a wonderfully gentle way to decline a bag, straw, or gift wrapping. Alternative: 「結構です」 (kekkō desu) — polite “I’m good, thank you.” Both are natural and non-confrontational. 🙅♀️
IC cards are prepaid contactless cards used for trains, subways, convenience stores, and many shops. The main ones are Suica (JR East), Pasmo (Tokyo Metro), and ICOCA (JR West). As a traveler, one IC card makes your daily payments incredibly easy. Highly recommended! 💳🚃
Two magical phrases: 「もう一度お願いします」 (mō ichido onegaishimasu) — “Once more, please.” Or just glance at the register display — most shops show the price in giant numbers. As a last resort, staff will happily type the price into a calculator or point. Japanese customer service is patient and kind! 🤗
Most phrases in this lesson — いくらですか、これ、それ、あれ、ください、現金、カード — are JLPT N5 level. Words like 値段、免税、包装、両手で appear at N4. Cultural context comes into play at N3+. This lesson spans N5 through early N4 vocabulary. 📚
Yes please! I post regularly on Instagram (@makiymamoto), Facebook, and YouTube Shorts. For structured lessons and personal support, please visit my Japanese learning support page. ありがとうございます！ 🌸
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