To ask for the bill in Japanese, catch a server's eye with すみません (sumimasen) and say お会計お願いします (okaikei onegai shimasu). In izakaya and sushi bars you may also hear お勘定 (okanjō). Many casual restaurants leave the bill on your table: take it to the till by the door and pay there. Tipping is not expected.
- The bill, please
- お会計お願いします (okaikei onegai shimasu)
- Also heard
- お勘定お願いします (okanjō)
- Separately
- 別々でお願いします (betsubetsu de)
- Till
- レジ (reji)
- Level
- A1
Is it okaikei or okanjō?
会計 (kaikei) means payment or accounts and is the safe, neutral word everywhere. 勘定 (kanjō, "reckoning") is a little old-fashioned and feels at home in izakaya and at sushi counters. You may also hear お愛想 (oaiso), but that is restaurant-side slang; from a customer it can sound presumptuous.
| Japanese | Romaji | Register | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| お会計お願いします | okaikei onegai shimasu | Polite, neutral | Anywhere |
| お会計をお願いできますか | okaikei o onegai dekimasu ka | More polite | Smarter restaurants |
| お勘定お願いします | okanjō onegai shimasu | A little old-fashioned | Izakaya, sushi counters |
| お愛想 | oaiso | Restaurant slang | Used by staff; best avoided |
| 別々でお願いします | betsubetsu de onegai shimasu | Polite | Separate bills |
| 一緒でお願いします | issho de onegai shimasu | Polite | One bill for the table |
Where do you pay in a Japanese restaurant?
- Many casual restaurants put the bill slip, 伝票 (denpyō), on your table when the food arrives. Take it to the レジ (reji, till) near the exit.
- In izakaya and smarter places, ask at the table and staff bring the bill to you.
- Ramen and set-meal shops often use a ticket machine, 食券 (shokken): you pay before you eat.
- Leave no tip. Good service is part of the price, and staff may chase you to return money left on the table.
Staff talk about payment with 支払い (shiharai), usually as the polite お支払い.
What will staff ask when you pay?
お支払いはどうなさいますか。
Oshiharai wa dō nasaimasu ka.
How would you like to pay?
カードでお願いします。
Kādo de onegai shimasu.
By card, please.
現金で。
Genkin de.
Cash.
領収書をください。
Ryōshūsho o kudasai.
Could I have a receipt?
A formal receipt, for expenses. レシート is the ordinary till receipt.
On the way out, thank the staff with ごちそうさまでした; how to say thank you in Japanese explains it.
Who pays when Japanese friends eat out?
Groups of friends usually split the bill evenly, 割り勘 (warikan). Treating someone is common too, especially seniors paying for juniors at work.
割り勘にしよう。
Warikan ni shiyō.
Let's split it.
今日は私がごちそうします。
Kyō wa watashi ga gochisō shimasu.
Today's my treat.
ここは僕が払うよ。
Koko wa boku ga harau yo.
I'll get this one.
Casual; 僕 is a man's "I".
Start a free Japanese series at A1 and tap any word, from 支払い to ごちそうさま, for its meaning.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
Do you tip in Japan?
No. Tipping is not part of Japanese restaurant culture, and leaving extra cash can cause confusion. A clear ごちそうさまでした as you leave is the thanks staff expect.
How do you ask if they take cards?
カードは使えますか (kādo wa tsukaemasu ka), "can I use a card?". Smaller places may be cash only, so it is worth asking before you order.
What does oaiso mean?
お愛想 is restaurant jargon for the bill, originally from the staff's side. Customers do use it, but some people find it presumptuous, so お会計 is the safer choice.
What is a denpyō?
伝票 is the order slip a server leaves at your table. You take it to the till to pay, rather than waiting for a bill to arrive.