Guides › By item
Food, Snacks & Alcohol: Tax-Free Math
Food and non-alcoholic drinks are taxed at the reduced 8%; alcohol is excluded from the reduced rate (10%) (NTA).
| Item | Rate | Tax inside a ¥10,800 / ¥11,000 tag |
|---|---|---|
| Snacks, tea, sweets | 8% | ¥10,800 → ¥800 |
| Sake, whisky, beer | 10% | ¥11,000 → ¥1,000 |
- Minimum: ¥5,000 before tax per shop per day; 8% and 10% items count together since Nov 2026.
- Eat one snack from the receipt → no refund for that receipt.
- Bringing alcohol into your home country has its own limits — check your country's customs.
→ Estimate your refund with the free calculator · Departure checklist · All guides
Planning a Japan trip after Nov 1, 2026?
- Tax-Free Refund Field Guide ($7) — a step-by-step English guide to the new refund process, from shop to airport.
- Japan Trip Planner Pack ($9) — planning templates for a first Japan trip.
- Tax-Free Receipt Tracker 2026 (from $5) — spreadsheet that flags the ¥5,000 minimum, 90-day deadline and estimated refund per shop/day.
Paid products by GuroWorks, the publisher of this free site (advertisement for our own products). 14-day refund on Gumroad for the guide. The calculator stays free.
Related guides
- Cosmetics & Skincare: Tax-Free Rules from Nov 2026
- Drugstore Medicine & Supplements: Tax-Free Rules
- Electronics (Cameras, Laptops, Phones): Tax-Free Guide
Official sources
Rules checked October 30, 2026 (JST). Rules can change; always confirm with the official pages and your shop.
- National Tax Agency — Reduced tax rate (8%): www.nta.go.jp
- Japan Customs — Tax Exemption (Refund) Program: www.customs.go.jp
- Japan Tourism Agency — Traveler FAQ (Refund Method, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp