This study aims to map out the contemporary usage of five fruit terms in the Japanese language for which parallel sets of terms, loanwords and native terms exist. In order to do this, three questions were formulated: 1) Are there noticeable differences and tendencies in the usage of fruit terms in Japanese, where a native term and a loanword are both in common usage? 2) If so, what are those differences and are there patterns and tendencies in the usage generally applicable to all fruits where parallel sets of vocabulary exist? 3) Is usage of loanwords and native vocabulary for fruit consistent among Japanese native speakers? The study was conducted in two parts, a questionnaire and a product survey, which showed that a range of factors likely play a role in the choice of term, including factors relating to the products and fruits, the words and language as well as to the speakers themselves.