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Japanese Citizens Living Abroad: Tax-Free on a Visit Home
Free refund calculator — see your number in 10 seconds →Eligible if you have lived outside Japan continuously for 2+ years and it is less than 6 months since you came back (JTA list).
| Bring | Notes (from Nov 2026) |
|---|---|
| Passport | Required |
| One proof: 戸籍の附票の写し, 在留証明 (incl. e-certificate) or My Number card | My Number card is newly accepted (incl. smartphone version) only if it shows you moved abroad. Registered domicile (本籍) no longer needs to be shown. |
Then the same rules apply: ¥5,000+ before tax per shop per day, customs confirmation at departure within 90 days.
→ 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
Official sources
Rules checked October 30, 2026 (JST). Rules can change; always confirm with the official pages and your shop.
- Japan Tourism Agency — Eligible purchasers list (PDF, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp
- Japan Tourism Agency — Old vs new comparison table (PDF, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp
- Japan Tourism Agency — Traveler FAQ (Refund Method, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp