Key points
- You can enjoy a Japanese Christmas market with almost no Japanese, but a few polite phrases make ordering, paying and asking for help much smoother.
- This page lists 39 practical phrases with Japanese, romaji and English, grouped by situation: basics, ordering, prices and payment, facilities, kids, crafts and kind words.
- Pointing, smiling and saying "kore" (this one) go a long way. Stall staff are usually patient with visitors.
- Bring yen cash and small change too. The full payment guide is in paying at local Japanese events.
Why a few phrases are worth learning
Risoukyo's Christmas Market 2026 is a local Japanese event in Towada, planned for Dec 23-27, with food stalls, handmade crafts, workshops and a stage. It is a friendly, small-town setting, and many of the stall staff may not speak much English. That is fine. A little Japanese, even badly pronounced, tends to get a warm response, and you do not need grammar to use the phrases below. Read them out loud, or show this page on your phone.
The Japanese is written in standard polite form, which is the safe choice with strangers. For the romaji (Japanese in Latin letters), we use simple spelling without long-vowel marks, so "arigato" stands for ありがとう. For an overview of the market itself, see the English overview.
Quick pronunciation tips
- Vowels are short and pure: a (ah), i (ee), u (oo), e (eh), o (oh).
- Every syllable gets roughly equal weight, so there is no strong stress as in English.
- Double consonants ("nattsu", "happyaku") mean a tiny pause before the consonant.
- "R" is a light tap of the tongue, between an English "r", "d" and "l".
- "Kudasai" sounds like "koo-da-sigh", and the final "u" in "desu" is often barely voiced: "dess".
Basics and getting attention
- Konbanwa (こんばんは) — Good evening. The market runs from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m., so this is the greeting you will use most after dark.
- Sumimasen (すみません) — Excuse me. Use it to get a staff member's attention, and also as a light "sorry" or "thanks for the trouble".
- Onegaishimasu (お願いします) — Please. Add it to anything you are requesting, such as "Receipt, please".
- Arigato gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) — Thank you.
- Eigo wa hanasemasu ka (英語は話せますか) — Do you speak English?
- Nihongo wa sukoshi shika hanasemasen (日本語は少ししか話せません) — I can only speak a little Japanese.
- Mo ichido onegaishimasu (もう一度お願いします) — One more time, please.
Ordering food and drinks
At stalls and food trucks, the easiest method is to point at the item or the menu photo and say "kore" (this). The phrases below build on that. Whether any particular food or drink is sold at Risoukyo is up to the vendors, so check the official page (Japanese) for updates, and see our food and drinks guide for what to expect at Christmas markets.
- Kore o hitotsu kudasai (これを一つください) — One of these, please.
- Kore o futatsu kudasai (これを二つください) — Two of these, please.
- Are o kudasai (あれをください) — That one over there, please.
- Osusume wa nan desu ka (おすすめは何ですか) — What do you recommend?
- Kore wa nan desu ka (これは何ですか) — What is this?
- Kore wa donna aji desu ka (これはどんな味ですか) — What does this taste like?
- Kore wa karai desu ka (これは辛いですか) — Is this spicy?
- Kore wa atsui desu ka (これは熱いですか) — Is this hot (in temperature)? Handy before a child takes a bite of something steaming.
- Atatamete kudasai (温めてください) — Could you warm this up, please? Useful in the cold if something has cooled down.
- Mochikaeri de onegaishimasu (持ち帰りでお願いします) — To take away, please.
You may hear "Atsui no de ki o tsukete kudasai" (熱いので気をつけてください), which means "It is hot, so please be careful". You may also be asked whether you want something "here" or "to go". Answer with the take-away phrase above, or simply point to the eating area.
Allergies
Food allergies are worth taking seriously. Many stall holders can tell you the main ingredients, but they may not know every detail, especially in prepared foods. If an allergy is serious, it is safest to skip anything you cannot confirm.
- Arerugi ga arimasu (アレルギーがあります) — I have an allergy.
- Nattsu wa haitte imasu ka (ナッツは入っていますか) — Does this contain nuts?
Prices and paying
Cash is the safest bet at small events (see our payment guide), but ask before you order if you plan to use a card. Prices are usually shown in yen (円, "en") on a sign.
- Ikura desu ka (いくらですか) — How much is it?
- Zenbu de ikura desu ka (全部でいくらですか) — How much is it altogether?
- Kado wa tsukaemasu ka (カードは使えますか) — Can I use a card?
- Genkin dake desu ka (現金だけですか) — Is it cash only?
- Ichiman-en satsu demo daijobu desu ka (一万円札でも大丈夫ですか) — Is a 10,000-yen bill OK?
Numbers and prices
Staff will usually say the total, or show it on a calculator. Here are the key numbers: 1 ichi, 2 ni, 3 san, 4 yon, 5 go, 6 roku, 7 nana, 8 hachi, 9 kyu, 10 ju. Hundreds: 100 hyaku, 200 nihyaku, 300 sanbyaku, 400 yonhyaku, 500 gohyaku, 600 roppyaku, 700 nanahyaku, 800 happyaku, 900 kyuhyaku. Thousands: 1,000 sen, 2,000 nisen, 3,000 sanzen. So the planned adult admission of ¥1,500 is "sen gohyaku en" (千五百円), the high school and university student price of ¥1,000 is "sen en", and the junior high and younger price of ¥500 is "gohyaku en". A friendly "domo arigato gozaimashita" (どうもありがとうございました, thank you very much) rounds off any purchase.
A note on "daijobu desu" (大丈夫です): it literally means "it's fine", but in Japan it can mean either "I'm OK, yes" or "No, thank you". If a clerk offers a bag and you say "daijobu desu", they may understand it as "no bag, thanks". When you want to be clear, say "onegaishimasu" for yes, and a polite "kekko desu" (結構です), which means "no, thank you", for no.
- Reshito o onegaishimasu (レシートをお願いします) — Receipt, please.
Facilities, the stage and parking
- Toire wa doko desu ka (トイレはどこですか) — Where is the restroom?
- Taberu basho wa arimasu ka (食べる場所はありますか) — Is there somewhere to sit and eat?
- Suteji wa nanji kara desu ka (ステージは何時からですか) — What time does the stage show start?
The market plans an eat-in area and a stage with DJs, dance and singing, and stage information will be on the official page, so check the schedule there and use the phrase to confirm on the day. For travel and parking details, see our access page and the winter travel guide.
With kids
Families are welcome, and the market plans kamakura snow huts, snowman making and a sled slide. These phrases come up most often. For more tips, read our family guide to a snowy Christmas market.
- Kodomo wa ikura desu ka (子どもはいくらですか) — How much is it for children?
- Kodomo mo sanka dekimasu ka (子どもも参加できますか) — Can kids join in too? Useful at workshops.
- Bebika de hairemasu ka (ベビーカーで入れますか) — Can I go in with a stroller?
- Kodomo ga maigo ni narimashita. Tasukete kudasai (子どもが迷子になりました。助けてください) — My child is lost. Please help.
If a child gets separated from you, the most important step is to find a staff member or an organizer quickly. Agree on a meeting point beforehand, and note what your child is wearing. In a crowd, the phrase "Kakari no hito wa doko desu ka" (係の人はどこですか, "Where is a staff member?") also helps.
Crafts, photos and gifts
Handmade crafts are planned, and workshops are part of the program. At craft stalls the seller can be the maker, so a friendly question goes a long way.
- Sawatte mo ii desu ka (触ってもいいですか) — May I touch this?
- Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka (写真を撮ってもいいですか) — May I take a photo?
- Purezento-yo ni tsutsunde moraemasu ka (プレゼント用に包んでもらえますか) — Could you wrap this as a gift?
Always ask before photographing a stall holder or a performer up close. See our etiquette guide for more.
Kind words: compliments and Merry Christmas
- Oishii desu (おいしいです) — It's delicious.
- Kirei desu ne (きれいですね) — It's beautiful, isn't it? Perfect for the tree and the lights.
- Meri Kurisumasu (メリークリスマス) — Merry Christmas.
- Domo arigato gozaimashita (どうもありがとうございました) — Thank you very much. Say it as you leave a stall.
"Yoi otoshi o" (よいお年を, "Have a good New Year") is what people say near the end of the year, and it fits well after Dec 25. Our guide to Japanese New Year traditions has the other New Year phrases.
Tips for communicating without Japanese
- Save a screenshot of this page before you arrive, so you can use it without a data connection.
- A translation app with a camera mode helps with signs, but double-check anything involving allergies.
- Hold up fingers to show how many you want, and point to prices on signs.
- Be patient and smile. A few seconds of confusion is normal and not a problem.
- If you drive, do not drink. Japan has very strict drunk-driving laws.
At a glance: Risoukyo Christmas Market 2026
- Dates: Wednesday, Dec 23 - Sunday, Dec 27, 2026 (5 days)
- Hours: 3:00-9:00 p.m. (15:00-21:00) (planned)
- Venue: Handmade Village Risoukyo, 2-21 Torigamori, Fukamochi, Towada, Aomori 034-0106
- Admission (planned): adults ¥1,500; high school and university students ¥1,000; junior high and younger ¥500; age 5 and under free
- Parking: 300+ spaces (planned)
Details are planned and may change - see the English overview and the official page (Japanese).
FAQ
Do I need to speak Japanese to enjoy the Risoukyo Christmas Market?
No. Pointing, smiling and a few phrases like "kore o kudasai" (please give me this) are enough for most situations. English signage may be limited, so it helps to learn a few key words. Check the English overview for event information in English.
How do I say "Merry Christmas" in Japanese?
"Meri Kurisumasu" (メリークリスマス). It is the common greeting and is understood everywhere, especially at Christmas events.
How do I ask if a card is accepted?
Say "Kado wa tsukaemasu ka" (カードは使えますか). Some small stalls may take cash only, so keep yen on hand. See paying at local Japanese events.
How do I ask where the restroom is?
Say "Toire wa doko desu ka" (トイレはどこですか). Staff will usually point or gesture. A map of the venue may also be posted, so look around.
How do I say thank you?
"Arigato gozaimasu" (ありがとうございます) is polite and works almost everywhere. "Domo arigato gozaimashita" is a more emphatic "thank you very much" for when you are leaving.
Sources
- JNTO: Cashless Payments in Japan (checked 2026-10-30)
- JNTO: Travel FAQ (checked 2026-10-30)
- JNTO: Enjoy New Year in Japan (checked 2026-10-30)
