Receipts in Japan: Ryoshusho, Tax Lines and How to Ask

A register slip and a formal receipt are different things in Japan, and this guide explains how to request each one, how to read the tax lines and what the invoice system means.

Published October 19, 2026 at 11:09 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: In Japan, a reshito is the automatic register slip, while a ryoshusho is a formal receipt that can carry a name, such as a company name, and a handwritten or printed note of what was paid for. To request one, say "ryoshusho onegaishimasu." Receipts show the 10 percent standard rate and the 8 percent reduced rate separately, and some also show a registration number under the invoice system.

Two kinds of receipt

At most shops the cashier hands over a slip as soon as the payment is made. In Japanese, that slip is often called a reshito, a borrowed word from "receipt." It lists the date, the items, the tax and the total, and it works well as a personal record. It is usually issued automatically at supermarkets, convenience stores and department stores, and the cashier will often offer it without being asked.

A ryoshusho is the formal receipt, a document that says a named person or company paid a stated amount for a stated purpose. It is the version people ask for when they need to submit expenses, keep business records or hold a proof of payment. Taxis, restaurants, hotels and many small businesses commonly issue a ryoshusho on request, sometimes handwritten on a pre-printed form, and clinics provide their own statements of fees.

How to ask for a ryoshusho

The easiest phrase is "ryoshusho onegaishimasu," which means "a receipt, please." Staff will often ask for a name to write on it, or ask whether to leave the name blank. If a name is needed, spelling it out or showing it on a phone screen avoids mistakes. For a company, say the full registered name aloud or show the business card, which is a very common solution in Japan.

When no name is wanted, staff may write a placeholder such as "ue-sama," a stand-in that is commonly used when no name is given. There is often also a line for the purpose, called tadashigaki, where staff write something like "for food and drink." If the receipt is for reimbursement, it helps to say the wording that the accounting team prefers before the cashier begins writing.

Why company names appear on receipts

In many Japanese companies, an expense is claimed with a receipt that bears the company's name, since the receipt shows who made the payment, although each company sets its own rules. Many staff are used to writing the full name of a company, including the part that indicates its legal form, so it is worth confirming the exact wording. A short version or a nickname may not match company records.

Some businesses, particularly smaller ones, place a stamp of the shop or company on the receipt as a sign of authenticity. This may be a hanko (seal), a traditional stamp used in place of a signature in many Japanese settings. Seals on receipts are a custom rather than a rule that visitors need to worry about, and a printed or handwritten receipt from a reputable business is normally accepted without one.

When a receipt is worth asking for

A ryoshusho is useful whenever a payment may need to be explained later. Business travelers use them for taxi fares, train tickets bought at a window, meals and hotel stays. Residents keep them for clinic visits, school fees, rent, large purchases and anything related to a tax return. Returns and exchanges at a shop often require the original register slip, so it is wise to keep it until the item is settled.

Many taxis hand over a blank form on request, and drivers fill in the amount while the passenger gives a name. Hotels typically issue a formal receipt at check-out, and clinics provide a statement of fees. If an expense might be reimbursed, it helps to request the receipt at the moment of payment, since reissuing one later can take time and some small businesses do not keep copies.

Tax lines: the 10 percent and 8 percent rates

Japan's consumption tax has a standard rate of 10 percent and a reduced rate of 8 percent, according to the Ministry of Finance. The reduced rate applies to most food and drink, excluding alcoholic beverages and meals eaten in a restaurant, and to newspapers subscribed to at least twice a week. At fast-food shops and convenience stores, the same item can be taxed at 10 percent if eaten on the premises and 8 percent if taken away.

For that reason, receipts often show subtotals and tax amounts for each rate on separate lines. Items at the reduced rate are marked, commonly with an asterisk or a short symbol, and a note explains what the mark means. Staff may ask "for here or to go?" before ringing up a purchase, because the answer decides the rate. Prices in Japan are often displayed with tax included, though signs vary, so the shelf label and the receipt are worth comparing.

The qualified invoice system

Since October 1, 2023, Japan has used a qualified invoice system, which the National Tax Agency describes as a method of claiming credit for consumption tax on purchases at multiple rates. A qualified invoice lists the issuer's name and registration number, the date, the transaction details with reduced-rate items marked, the total for each rate, the tax amount for each rate and the buyer's name. The registration number is written as the letter T followed by 13 digits.

Retail, restaurant and taxi businesses that serve many unspecified customers may use a simplified version that leaves out the buyer's name. Only businesses registered as issuers can provide qualified invoices, and the National Tax Agency maintains a public list of them. The system matters mainly to businesses that buy goods or services and want to claim tax credits. For an ordinary tourist or household shopper, a standard receipt is enough.

Practical tips and related terms

Keep receipts from shops, taxis and hotels if they are needed for expense reports, and photograph them on the spot if they are printed on thermal paper, since that paper can fade over time. Handwritten ryoshusho should be checked for the correct date, amount and name before leaving the counter. A tax-free shopping slip for visitors is a separate document and has its own rules.

Related words include "meisaisho" (an itemized statement), "seikyusho" (a bill or invoice sent before payment) and "nohinsho" (a delivery note). Freelancers and small business owners can ask a tax professional how the invoice system applies to them. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a reshito and a ryoshusho?

A reshito is the register slip printed automatically after payment. A ryoshusho is a formal receipt that can carry a name, such as a company, and a note about what was paid for. People ask for the formal version when they need to claim expenses or keep proof of payment.

How do you ask for a receipt in Japanese?

Say "ryoshusho onegaishimasu," meaning "a receipt, please." Staff will usually ask whose name to write. Spelling the name aloud, showing it on a phone or handing over a business card helps avoid mistakes. If no name is needed, staff may leave it blank or use a general placeholder.

Why do receipts list both 8 percent and 10 percent?

Japan has a standard consumption tax rate of 10 percent and a reduced rate of 8 percent, applied to items such as most food and drink bought to take away. Receipts often show a subtotal for each rate, with the reduced-rate items marked, so that the tax can be read clearly.

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