O-kaikei onegaishimasu (お会計お願いします) is the standard, polite way to ask for the bill at restaurants, cafes, or shops in Japan. It translates literally to ‘The bill, please.’ Using this phrase ensures a smooth and culturally respectful checkout process during your travels.
When you are ready to leave a dining establishment in Japan, you will often find that servers do not automatically bring the check to your table. In many casual restaurants, you may even need to take your bill to the cashier at the front. Using this phrase helps signal your intent clearly.
Customer: Sumimasen! O-kaikei onegaishimasu.
Staff: Hai, kashikomarimashita. (Certainly, right away.)
It is important to note that tipping is not part of Japanese culture. Simply saying ‘O-kaikei onegaishimasu’ is sufficient, and you do not need to add anything extra like a gratuity.
Pro-tips for payment in Japan:
- Many small, local eateries are ‘cash only.’ It is a good idea to keep some yen on hand.
- If you are in a hurry, you can also use this phrase while holding up your check if it was left at your table.
- For more dining terminology, check out our guide on What Does ‘Bangohan’ Mean?
- If you need further help navigating your trip, learn how to ask for locations in our guide: What Does ‘Basu-tei wa doko desu ka?’ Mean?
