How Much Is It in Japanese? Yen, Tax and Paying at the Counter

The phrase you need is “Kore wa ikura desu ka?” (これはいくらですか), which means “How much is this?” If you are pointing at something, you can shorten it to “Ikura desu ka?”. The hard part is not the question. It is understanding the answer, which will be a number in yen.

• How much does this cost?

  これはいくらですか

  Kore wa ikura desu ka

  Say it while pointing. You can also hold the item up.
• How much is it? (short)

  いくらですか

  Ikura desu ka
• How much will it cost?

  いくらかかりますか

  Ikura kakarimasu ka

  For services, such as a taxi or a laundry.

Understanding the answer: yen and big numbers

Prices are in yen (円, en). Staff will say the number and then “en desu”. For example, 1,200 yen is “Sen nihyaku en desu”.

The key to Japanese prices is that large numbers are counted in units of ten thousand (man), not thousands. So the useful words to learn are:

• Hundred

  百

  Hyaku
• Thousand

  千

  Sen
• Ten thousand

  一万

  Ichiman

  10,000 yen is the largest note, ichiman-en.
• Ten

  十

  Juu

Some numbers change their sound when they are combined. These are the ones you will hear most often:

If you cannot follow the number, ask the staff to show you. Most registers have a display, and many staff will type the amount into a calculator.

Tax: what the price tag means

Price tags can show the price with tax or before it, so check which one you are looking at.

• 税込 (zeikomi) means tax included.
• 税抜 (zeinuki) means before tax.

The consumption tax is currently 10 percent for most goods and 8 percent for food bought to take away and groceries. If the tag is not clear, ask:

• Is tax included?

  税込ですか

  Zeikomi desu ka

Tax-free shopping for visitors

Many stores offer tax-free shopping to visitors, but the system changed on 1 November 2026. Under the new refund system, you show your passport at the register and pay the full price, including the 10 percent tax. The store records your purchase electronically, and you claim the tax back at a kiosk at the airport when you leave Japan. Keep your receipts, and check the current rules on the Japan Tourism Agency website before you shop, because the details are still settling.

• Tax-free procedure, please. Here is my passport.

  免税手続きをお願いします。パスポートです。

  Menzei tetsuzuki o onegai shimasu. Pasupooto desu.

  Say it at the register, and hand over your passport. Not every shop takes part.

Paying: cash, cards and the little tray

Many Japanese shops put a small tray at the register. Place your money on the tray rather than handing it over, and your change will be returned the same way.

Cards are widely accepted in cities and chains, but small restaurants and family-run shops often take cash only. Contactless and travel IC cards, such as Suica and Pasmo, are accepted at many shops, convenience stores and vending machines.

• Can I pay by card?

  カードで払えますか

  Kaado de haraemasu ka

  Ask before you order in a small place.
• Where is the nearest ATM?

  一番近いATMはどこですか

  Ichiban chikai Ee tii emu wa doko desu ka

  Seven Bank ATMs (in 7-Eleven) and Japan Post ATMs are the usual choices for foreign cards. Not every card works, so check with your bank.
• Can I get a receipt?

  領収書をもらえますか

  Ryoushuusho o moraemasu ka

  A formal receipt. Useful if you need one to claim expenses.
• Do you have a discount?

  割引はありますか

  Waribiki wa arimasu ka

  Ask about sales, coupons or a points card. Do not try to haggle.

• I do not need a bag

  袋はいりません

  Fukuro wa irimasen
• Do you need a bag? (staff)

  袋はご利用ですか

  Fukuro wa goriyou desu ka

Other places you will ask “how much?”

• How much is a ticket to...?

  ...までの切符はいくらですか

  ... made no kippu wa ikura desu ka

  Say the destination in place of the dots.
• How much is the entrance fee?

  入場料はいくらですか

  Nyuujouryou wa ikura desu ka

  At a temple, castle or museum.
• How much is the buffet?

  ビュッフェの料金はいくらですか？

  Byuffe no ryoukin wa ikura desu ka?

A short scene: at the shop counter

1. Staffいらっしゃいませ。Irasshaimase.Welcome.
2. Youすみません。これはいくらですか？Sumimasen. Kore wa ikura desu ka?Excuse me. How much is this? (pointing)
3. Staff千二百円です。Sen nihyaku en desu.It is 1,200 yen.
4. Youカードで払えますか？Kaado de haraemasu ka?Can I pay by card?
5. Staffはい、大丈夫です。袋はご利用ですか？Hai, daijoubu desu. Fukuro wa goriyou desu ka?Yes, that is fine. Do you need a bag?
6. You袋はいりません。Fukuro wa irimasen.No bag, thank you.
7. Staffありがとうございました。Arigatou gozaimashita.Thank you very much.

Common mistakes

1. Trying to bargain. Prices are fixed in nearly all shops. It can embarrass the staff.
2. Reading 10,000 as “ten thousand” and 1,000 as “a thousand” the wrong way round. Japanese counts in ten-thousands. Practise ichiman before you arrive.
3. Assuming a card will work. Carry cash, especially for small restaurants and markets.
4. Handing money to the staff. Use the tray if there is one.
5. Forgetting to check whether tax is included. The tag may show the price before tax.

More for your trip

Paying at a restaurant works differently from a shop, so read how to order food in Japanese. For the full set of phrases you will need, see our Japanese phrases for travel.