The simple answer is that Japan is a very detail-oriented society that values quality, presentation, and customer satisfaction. One of the results of this is that attention to packaging is paramount. To stores and their staff, wrapping the product with a good package shows the care they have for the customer. A well-wrapped item will not only be beautiful and well-presented, but there is a practical aspect: it will also be protected and in pristine condition.

To achieve these levels, though, a relatively large amount of packaging material is needed. Similarly, in order to guarantee a comfortable transport of your purchase (or for convenience when you purchase multiple items as gifts), you'll often be given or offered multiple bags.

Of course, all of us like comfort, and no one would complain about amazing customer service and care, but, if you're environment-conscious and want to be able to do your part and avoid waste while visiting Japan, it will help to know what to expect from Japanese stores, and how to ask to avoid unnecessary usage of plastic and paper.

Regardless of the store you visit, once they are about to hand you a bag, or pack your purchase you can say "Iranai desu (I don't need it)," referring to both bagging and wrapping (or either one of them).

To make things even easier for yourself, there is also a common gesture that means "no" or "I don't need it." Make an X with your arms (or open hands if you want the gesture to look softer) and you'll be all set.

Now that you know the basics, let's take a look at some specific situations you're likely to find yourself in and what phrases can be used.

Convenience stores are something of a godsend for many foreign tourists, as they offer practically all of the basic necessities, from snacks and prepared meals to things like SD cards and power banks. And for the most part they are open 24/7 and happy to serve. Their service also shines in the way they treat patrons. The attitude of the staff will always be polite and helpful, and they will make sure you have enough bags for whatever you need, or don't need, or didn't even think you may have wanted.

Common situations and polite ways to address them
1. Staff will usually pack items in several bags, even when one slightly larger one would do the trick. Before they start packing, you can ask: "Hitotsu no fukuro ni matomette moraemasuka (Could you please put everything in one bag?).” They will surely oblige.

2. When buying food, such as a bento lunch box or prepared pasta, you’ll likely be given plastic cutlery or chopsticks – or sometimes both.
Useful approach: If you're planning on eating in your hotel room, you're probably not going to need cutlery anyway. Depending on your circumstances, you might want the cutlery and/or chopsticks, but not the bag – or you might want only the meal.

If you do need some cutlery, chances are you won't need as many items as they are going to give you.
In this case you could say:

"_____ iranai desu."
・Hashi = chopsticks
・Fo-ku = fork
・Naifu = knife
・Spoon = spoon
・Fukuro = bag

If you just want your purchase and don't need a bag or any cutlery, you could say: "Sono mama de kudasai (As it is, please).”

3. Furthermore, should you buy drinks, along with cold and hot food, you'll likely be asked if you want these items to be bagged separately: "Fukuro owake shimasuka?"

Should you not want the items to be bagged separately, you could respond with: "Issho de daijoubu desu (Everything together is ok).”

In convenience stores you can get coffee and other drinks, but often these will also come with plastic. Meanwhile, at cafes you can often get drinks in a mug. Even if a paper or plastic cup is offered instead, a plastic straw, plastic muddler, and things like single-serving creamer and sugar will be automatically placed on your tray – or included in a takeout bag.

Common situations and polite ways to address them
When visiting a café drinks are often served in paper or plastic cups. Depending on the café, though, if you're planning on sitting and enjoying your drink within the café, they will give you the same beverage in a glass, or ceramic mug.

When you order, tell them: "Koko de nomimasu (I'll drink here)." or "Mug cup de dekimasu ka? (Can you put this in a mug please?)"

Sometimes, though, the drink (especially coffee) will come in a plastic cup and a straw, or a paper cup no matter what. There's really no way around it, but you can use our magic formula "iranai desu" for anything we don't need (straw, or muddler).

You'll most likely end up in small or big souvenir shops looking for mementos for yourself and presents for your friends and family back home.

Sometimes you'll opt for traditional items, other times for local food-stuff and sweets. Regardless, these stores will often bag each item you buy in a separate bag, not to mention that they will overly wrap with paper an already wrapped item to improve its presentation.

How to avoid waste and be polite in the process
You may not need 6 bags for six items (maybe you won't need bags at all if you have your own).

In these cases, you can once again say: "Sono mama de daijoubu desu" or "Sono mama ii desu" (It’s ok as it is). Or the ever-present "iranai desu (I don't need it)."

Stationery shops in Japan can be an attraction in their own right. Amazing brushes, pencils, pens, stickers or all kinds, not to mention notebooks, parchments or traditional Japanese paper virtually non-existent outside of the country. You would love visiting a nice stationery shop and chances are you're going to buy something functional – and adorable!

Phrases to kindly let the clerk know you won't be needing too much packaging
In these stores they also wrap everything many times over. Small items like pencils, erasers, markers are individually bagged and then placed in yet another bag along the other items.

However, these items can be easily stored in your purse, or whatever other bag you're carrying - and not require an excess of new bags. To avoid too much waste, you can refer to some of the phrases we used before: "Sono mama de daijoubu desu" or "Sono mama ii desu" (It’s ok as it is). Or the ever-present "iranai desu (I don't need it)."

When customers choose not to use bags after paying, the staff will mark each un-bagged item with a sticker, saving you from carrying a number of bags around (and helping you do your part for the environment in the process).

Japan is big on trying to avoid anything that could bother people. Among these things, there's also the issue of wet dripping umbrellas in stores. We can all agree that walking on a wet indoor floor can be annoying, and even dangerous.

One of the solutions many stores adopt is that of offering plastic bags meant to wrap the head of your umbrella so not to have it drip inside.

1. There's usually a waste receptacle for the used plastic covers. While Japanese typically do not re-use them, you can choose to do so - and in most likely others would be none the wiser.

2. The very same stores tend to have umbrella racks right by the entrance. Some of them are even equipped with locks. (Umbrella theft in Japan is surprisingly high.)

3. Alternatively, you can bring your own reusable cover (most umbrellas come with it).

As alluded to above, there are certain preventative measures you can pack for or purchase once in Japan.

1. Portable umbrella with cover; poncho
And especially during rainy season, these can help make your trip so much more comfortable.

2. Eco-bag, day pack, backpack
You can simply place your purchases in these and make them much easier to carry around than bundles of plastic bags!

3. Reusable chopsticks
Not only do they make fantastic souvenirs, but if you have your own set of chopsticks for when you're on the go, you won't need to rely on disposable chopsticks when getting food at a convenience store or takeout.

4. Water bottle
Japan does not have public water taps in as many locations as in other countries, however you can fill up a water bottle at your hotel and bring it around with you, instead of relying on vending machines and plastic bottles at stores.

5. Get a furoshiki wrap
Furoshiki are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths that come in a plethora of different sizes, colors and designs. You can wrap souvenirs and other purchases in these and make them part of a gift to friends and family.

And here you have it. Following these few tips, you will still be able to enjoy the amazing attention to detail and to customers that Japan offers, but you won't have to feel like you're not doing your part for our planet.