If you’re planning a trip to Japan and love shopping, you’ve probably heard about tax-free shopping. The ads make it sound like you’ll be showered with discounts just for being a tourist. The reality? It’s a little more complicated, and if you’re not careful, you can end up annoyed at the airport, stuck with opened snacks you can’t take home, or just… missing out on the whole thing. Here’s the no-BS guide to tax-free shopping in Japan, with everything you actually want to know, backed by official info.

What’s This Tax-Free Thing, Anyway?

Japan charges a 10% consumption tax on almost everything. If you’re a foreign visitor, you can skip that tax at designated “tax-free” stores, as long as you follow the rules
(Japan National Tourism Organization,
Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).

This is not the same as duty-free shopping at the airport. Tax-free shopping is available at regular shops all over Japan, but only if they have the right setup.

Who Gets the Discount?

• You’re a tourist staying less than six months (or a Japanese national who’s lived abroad for at least two years and is visiting under six months) (Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).
• You must show your original passport with a valid entry stamp. Copies won’t cut it (Japan Customs).
• Starting April 2025, you can’t ship tax-free items home and still get the exemption. You have to physically take them out yourself (Japan National Tourism Organization).

What Can You Actually Buy Tax-Free?

There are two main categories, and you can’t mix and match to hit the minimum:

General Goods:

Electronics, clothes, watches, souvenirs, etc. You must spend at least ¥5,000 (before tax) in a single store on a single day (Japan Guide). These can be used in Japan, but you’re supposed to take them out when you leave (Japan National Tourism Organization).

Consumables:

Food, drinks, cosmetics, medicine. You need to spend between ¥5,000 and ¥500,000 per store, per day (Global Blue). They’ll seal these in a special bag, and you’re not supposed to open it until you leave Japan. If you do, you’ll owe the tax (Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).

Combining categories?

Nope. Each must meet the minimum on its own (Japan Guide).

Where’s the Tax-Free Stuff?

Pretty much anywhere tourists spend money:

• Department stores (look for the “Japan Tax-Free Shop” sign)
• Big electronics chains (BicCamera, Yodobashi)
• Drugstores (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Don Quijote)
• Fashion stores, outlet malls, and major tourist hotspots

If you’re not sure, ask the staff.

How the Process Really Works

1. Find the sign. Look for “Japan Tax-Free Shop.”
2. Bring your passport. Every time. No passport, no deal.
3. Check out:
   • Most places deduct the tax on the spot.
   • Some department stores give you a cash refund at a special counter (Japan Guide).
4. Get your paperwork: The cashier attaches a “Record of Purchase” to your passport. Don’t remove it.
5. Consumables: Sealed and not to be opened in Japan (Japan National Tourism Organization).
6. Leaving Japan: Show your passport and tax-free items at customs. If you broke the rules, you’ll have to pay the tax (Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).

What’s Changing Soon?

November 2026 brings a big shift:

• You’ll pay the full price (with tax) at checkout.
• The refund is done at the airport when you leave, after customs checks your purchases.
• No more minimums or splitting hairs over categories (Japan National Tourism Organization).

Pro Tips (Backed by Official Sources)

• Don’t forget your passport. Digital copies are useless (Japan Customs).
• If you open consumables before leaving, you’ll owe the tax (Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).
• Some stores have specific hours for tax-free counters. Don’t wait until the last minute.
• If you’re leaving after November 2026, allow extra airport time for the refund (Japan National Tourism Organization).
• Keep all receipts and forms together for customs (Japan National Tourism Organization).

The Bottom Line

Tax-free shopping in Japan can save you money, but only if you follow the rules. If you’re organized and don’t mind a little red tape, you’ll walk away with more souvenirs and fewer regrets. For more official details, check out the
Japan National Tourism Organization,
The Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism,
and the Japan Customs page.

Read more on Japan:

Japanese Etiquette: What to Do & What Not to Do

Japan Travel 101: The Essential Guide for American Travelers