Pay at the register without freezing
You will stand at a convenience store counter within an hour of arriving. The whole interaction is four seconds long and follows the same script every time, in every shop in the country.
Nothing here is dangerous — but a queue forms fast, and fumbling in front of six commuters is the exact moment people feel like a tourist. Learn the script once and it never happens again.
What to do
Put the money in the tray
There's a small ridged tray on the counter. Cash goes in the tray, not into the cashier's hand — and your change comes back the same way.
Question 1 — “Bag?”
袋はいりますか (fukuro wa irimasu ka). Bags are no longer free, so they have to ask. Answer “hai” for yes or “fukuro wa irimasen” for no.
Question 2 — “Point card?”
ポイントカードはお持ちですか. This is a loyalty card you don't have. A small headshake and “iie” ends it.
Paying by card or IC is faster
Say the card name as you tap — “Suica de” — and touch the reader. No signature, no PIN for small amounts, no conversation.
Say this
袋はいりません
fukuro wa irimasen
I don’t need a bag, thanks.
Watch out for
Never tip. Anywhere.
Not in shops, not in taxis, not in restaurants. Money left behind will be chased down the street and returned to you.
Hot and cold get separate bags
If you buy a hot item and a cold drink the cashier may bag them separately — that is not an upsell, it is just how it is done.
They will ask about heating it
温めますか (atatamemasu ka) means “shall I heat this up?” for bentos and buns. “Hai” or “iie”.
Where this comes from
Last checked 2026-07-29. Plastic bags have been chargeable nationwide since July 2020; the amount is set per retailer and is usually a few yen.