topic-money

: Plastic Bags in Japan: Free or Paid? What Every Traveler Should Know

2026/3/20 topic-money

You're at a convenience store register and the cashier says something you don't quite catch. Are they asking if you want a bag? And do you have to pay for it? This page explains Japan's plastic bag policy, how much bags cost, and what locals do to avoid the question entirely. When did bags become paid? On July 1, 2020, the Japanese government made it mandatory for retailers to charge for plastic shopping bags. The policy was introduced to reduce plastic waste — part of a broader environmental initiative by the Ministry of the Environment. Before that date, plastic bags ...

Action Phase

: Why Do You Pay on a Tray in Japan? The Custom Explained

2026/3/20 topic-money

You hand your money to the cashier, and they point to a small tray on the counter instead of taking it from your hand. What's going on? This page explains why Japanese shops use a payment tray, where the habit comes from, and what to do when there isn't one. Why Japan uses a payment tray In Japan, money has traditionally been treated as something more than a simple transaction tool. There's a long-standing cultural sense that money is clean, even sacred — something to be handled with care and respect rather than passed casually from hand to hand. This ...

Action Phase

: Otoshi in Japan: What It Is and What to Do Right Now

2026/3/20 topic-money

In Japanese izakaya, a small dish may arrive shortly after you sit down—even if you didn’t order it. DThis is usually normal. In many places, this is a normal part of how izakaya service begins. It’s called otoshi. What otoshi is (in plain terms) Otoshi is a small, quick dish served near the start of the meal. At many izakaya, the flow is “drinks first, then food,” and otoshi often arrives with the first drink as a small snack while you choose dishes. What to do right now (keep it calm) If you’re unsure, start with confirmation—not an argument. Short ...

Action Phase