5 Ways to Lose Your Japan Tax Refund
- Checking bags first. Once checked, you can't show the goods to customs (JNTO).
- Using one item. One snack eaten = that whole receipt is ineligible (JTA, Customs).
- Leaving after 90 days from purchase.
- No refund method registered (card / app / bank) at the shop.
- Splitting under ¥5,000 before tax per shop per day.
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.
Official sources
Rules checked October 30, 2026 (JST). Rules can change; always confirm with the official pages and your shop.
- Japan Customs — Tax Exemption (Refund) Program for Foreign Visitors: customs.go.jp
- Japan Tourism Agency (観光庁) — From November 2026 leaflet (with National Tax Agency / Customs): PDF; Changes to Tax-Free Goods: PDF; リファンド方式 (shops): mlit.go.jp
- JNTO — Japan's New Tax-Free Shopping System: japan.travel
- National Tax Agency (国税庁) — consumption tax rates 10% / reduced 8%: nta.go.jp