What this site is
From November 1, 2026, Japan replaces instant store tax exemptions with a "pay first, refund later" system. The official information is written mostly for businesses; clear, practical guidance for travelers — how much you get back, how to collect it, and what to do at the airport — is thin. This site fills that gap with a calculator and plain-English explanations.
We prioritize accuracy over completeness: where the government has not published a detail (fees, refund methods, timing, per-airport kiosks), we say "not yet confirmed" rather than guess. Every claim is tied to a primary source where one exists.
How the calculator works
All calculations run in your browser. Nothing you enter — amounts, dates, choices — is sent to us or anyone else. The rule figures (rates, minimum, fee estimates, exchange rate) live in a single data file that we update as the government confirms details, so the page always shows a visible last-updated date and flags anything still unconfirmed.
Sources
- MOF / NTA / METI / JTA joint proposal (PDF, Jan 2025) — primary source.
- Japan Tourism Agency tax-free shop site.
- National Tax Agency — refund-method reform.
- Takashimaya refund procedure — example of the ~1.55% handling fee.
- Japan Customs joint-kiosk pilot.
Disclaimer
This is not tax or legal advice, and this site is unofficial. TaxBackJapan is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Japanese government or any store or refund operator.
All figures are estimates. Your actual refund depends on the specific shop, its refund agent, fees, and the exchange rate applied. Details marked "unconfirmed" have not been officially announced and may change. Always confirm the current rules with the store and with Japan Customs before you rely on them.
We make no warranty as to accuracy or completeness and accept no liability for decisions made based on this site.
Contact
Questions, corrections, or business enquiries: accentsjapan+taxrefund@gmail.com. Corrections with a source are especially welcome — this guide gets better as the official details are published.
Want the confirmed details emailed to you?
We'll email you the confirmed airport steps, refund methods, and fees the moment they're finalized — plus a reminder before you fly. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Email me updatesNewsletter coming soon — for now this opens a pre-filled email.