Shop in Japan and you really do get the 10% tax back — but from November 1, 2026 the whole way you claim it changes. This page lays out both the old method (deducted at the register) and the new one (pay first, refund at the airport) in one place, before you go card-happy in Shibuya.
Ever wonder why those "Tax-Free" signs in Japan's department stores and drugstores are so tempting? Honestly, it's a flat 10% discount that foreign visitors get back from Japan's consumption tax — same item, but you pay 10% less on the spot, as long as you follow the steps. This page walks you through who qualifies, what counts toward the threshold, and both ways of claiming the discount.
And the timing really matters right now, because Japan is about to make a big change to its tax-free system on November 1, 2026. Go before that date and you'll meet the old system — the tax is taken off at the register, so you pay the tax-excluded price at purchase. Go from November 1, 2026 onward and it's the new system, where you pay the full price first and then claim the tax back all at once at the airport on the way home — a completely different process. We explain both below.
What you buy splits into two groups, with slightly different minimums. The core rule is the same: buy at one store, on one day, with a pre-tax total that hits the threshold (children who hold their own passport qualify too, as long as they're short-stay visitors).
| Goods type | Examples | Minimum (pre-tax) | Special conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| General goods (General goods) | Clothing, bags, shoes, electronics, souvenirs, toys | ¥5,000 or more | No ceiling · can be used/opened in Japan |
| Consumables (Consumables) | Cosmetics, medicine, food, snacks, drinks, vitamins | ¥5,000–¥500,000 | Old system: sealed bag, no opening/using in Japan |
If you visit Japan before November 1, 2026, this is what you'll meet. The easy part is that the tax comes off instantly at the counter, so there's nothing to claim later — but there are conditions on how consumables are packed.
From November 1, 2026 Japan switches to a "pay first, refund later" model with no overlap period. At purchase you pay the full tax-included price, then claim the whole refund at once at a KIOSK in the departure airport. It sounds more fiddly, but it actually relaxes several things.
Most people worry most about clearing the airport on the way back. The steps really are clearly different between the two systems — just follow the one you'll meet. The common thread: keep your tax-free items + passport with you, don't bury them all in checked luggage.
The dividing line is November 1, 2026. This table sums up the main differences in a single row each, so you can tell which system your trip falls under.
| Aspect | Old system (until Oct 31, 2026) | New system (from Nov 1, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| How tax is reduced | Deducted at the register, pay tax-excluded price | Pay in full first, claim back later |
| Where you claim | No claim needed (already deducted) | KIOSK in the departure airport |
| Sealed bag for consumables | Required, no opening/using in Japan | Dropped — open and use right away |
| Consumables ceiling | ¥5,000–¥500,000 | ¥500,000 ceiling removed |
| Time limit | Take items out of the country within 30 days | Claim within 90 days of purchase |
Open our Tokyo shopping guide to see which districts are packed with Tax-Free stores and which department stores make the refund easiest, then book a stay in a shopping-friendly spot — so your trip pays off on both goods and tax.
This page focuses on the "save the tax" steps. For where to actually shop and enjoy it, open these guides next.
Where to shop in Tokyo — districts, department stores, drugstores, souvenirs and Tax-Free spots, all covered.
Open Tokyo shopping →The luxury and flagship-store district of Tokyo — shop high-end and still claim tax-free.
Open Ginza guide →The best konbini, must-try snacks, everyday goods and how to pay — even though konbini usually don't qualify for tax-free.
Open konbini guide →Estimate shopping, food, sights and stays in your own currency before you go, and plan your wallet just right.
Open the budget calculator →Visa · eSIM · IC cards · cash vs card · etiquette and everything else to sort before you fly.
Open trip planning →Every city, sight, stay, itinerary and must-know before you go to Japan, all on one page.
Japan guide →Open the full Japan travel guide for cities, sights, itineraries and must-knows before you fly — or start booking a stay in a shopping-friendly spot in Tokyo, so your trip pays off on both goods and tax.