Who can claim a VAT refund in Japan and what you need
You can claim back the consumption tax (Japan's VAT, currently 10%) on goods you buy in Japan if you are a foreign visitor with a temporary visitor status. You must be a resident of a country outside Japan, and you cannot be working or studying there. The refund applies only to goods you take out of Japan with you — not services, meals, or anything you consume while you are there.
To claim the refund, you need your passport to prove your visitor status, the original receipt or invoice from the store, and the goods themselves (unopened and in original packaging). Some stores will process the refund on the spot; others will issue a form you complete at the airport before you leave.
The minimum purchase amount varies by store. Department stores and major retailers often set it at ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 per transaction before tax. Smaller shops may have different thresholds or may not offer refunds at all. Always ask at the register whether the store participates in the refund scheme.
Key Takeaways
- You must show your passport at the point of sale to prove you are a temporary visitor; Japanese residents cannot claim refunds.
- The refund covers consumption tax only and applies only to goods you export, not to services or items you use in Japan.
- Most department stores and electronics retailers participate, but small shops may not; ask before you buy.
- You can claim the refund either at the store when ready or at the airport tax refund counter before departure, depending on the retailer's system.
- Goods must be in original, unopened packaging — items you have used or opened are not may be able to access.
The two ways to claim: at the store or at the airport
The faster route is to claim at the point of sale. When you pay, tell the cashier you want to claim the consumption tax refund. They will ask for your passport, verify your visitor status, and process the refund when ready — usually as a credit to your card or cash back. This takes a few minutes and you leave with the money in hand. The store keeps the receipt and the refund form for their records.
The second route is to claim at the airport before you depart. You keep your receipts and goods in their original packaging, then go to the tax refund counter in the departure hall. You show your passport, the receipts, and the unopened goods, and the airport staff process the refund. This can take longer — sometimes 30 minutes or more if the queue is busy — so arrive early. You receive the refund as cash or a credit depending on the airport's system.
The store-based refund is simpler if the retailer offers it, because you do not have to carry forms and goods through the airport. However, not all stores participate. If a store does not offer when ready refunds, you must use the airport counter, so keep all receipts and packaging intact.
What counts as a refundable purchase
Goods are refundable; services are not. This means you can claim back tax on clothes, electronics, cosmetics, souvenirs, and luggage. You cannot claim on meals, hotel stays, train tickets, or haircuts — these are services and fall outside the scheme.
The goods must be new and unused. If you open packaging, use the item, or remove tags, the store or airport staff may refuse the refund. Some stores will still process it if the item is clearly unused, but there is no may provide. The safest approach is to leave everything sealed until you are home.
Consumables — food, drinks, cosmetics that are opened or used — are not refundable even if you bought them as gifts. Alcohol and tobacco have special rules in some prefectures and may not be refundable at all; ask the retailer when you buy.
The paperwork: what forms you will see
If you claim at the store, the cashier will hand you a refund form (usually in English or your language). You fill in your passport number and sign it. The store keeps one copy and gives you another. You do not need to do anything else with this form — it is for the store's records and the tax authority.
If you claim at the airport, you will fill out a similar form at the refund counter. You present your passport, the form, the receipts, and the goods. The staff verify everything and process the refund. You may be asked to show that the goods are still sealed and that you have not used them.
Keep your receipts and refund forms until you leave Japan, even if you have already received the money. If you are asked at customs or immigration, you should be able to show proof of the transaction.
Timing and what to expect at the airport
If you are claiming at the airport, plan to arrive at the tax refund counter at least 30 minutes before you check in. The counter is usually in the departure hall, clearly marked. Queues can be long during peak travel times, especially in summer and around holidays.
The staff will examine your goods to confirm they are unopened and match the receipts. This usually takes a few minutes per transaction. Once verified, they will process the refund — either as cash, a credit to your card, or a transfer to a bank account, depending on the airport's system. Ask which methods are available when you arrive.
Some airports offer refunds in yen only; others will give you foreign currency or a card credit. If you want yen, arrive with enough time to visit a currency exchange if needed. If you want a card credit, bring the card you used to pay.
Stores that commonly offer refunds and where to find them
Department stores almost always participate: Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, Isetan, and Daimaru all offer when ready refunds at the register. Electronics retailers like Bic Camera, Yodobashi, and Don Quixote participate. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) typically do not offer refunds, though some locations may have a counter.
Duty-free shops in airports and some tourist areas automatically refund tax because they are designed for visitors. If you buy from a duty-free shop, the tax is already removed from the price, so there is nothing to claim.
To find participating stores, look for the "Tax-Free" or "免税" sign in the window or ask the cashier. If a store does not display the sign, assume it does not participate and ask before you buy. Many small independent shops do not offer refunds, even if they are in tourist areas.
What happens if you cannot claim at the store or airport
If you forget to claim at the store and did not get a refund form, you cannot claim at the airport without the original receipt and the store's participation record. The airport staff will not process a refund for a transaction they cannot verify.
If you open the goods before you reach the airport, you lose the refund. The staff will not process a claim for used items, and there is no exception process. Once packaging is opened, the refund is gone.
If you miss the airport refund counter because your flight is early or the queue is too long, you cannot claim the refund after you leave Japan. The scheme only works at the point of sale or at the airport before departure. Plan your timing accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to show my passport every time I buy something?
Yes. The cashier must see your passport to verify you are a temporary visitor before they process the refund. If you do not have it with you, you cannot claim the refund at that moment. You can still try to claim at the airport if you have the receipt and goods, but it is simpler to carry your passport while shopping.
Can I claim a refund if I am staying in Japan for more than 90 days?
No. The refund scheme is for temporary visitors only. If your visa or status allows you to stay longer than 90 days, or if you are a resident, you are not may be able to access. Your passport will show your status, and the staff will check it.
What if the store already removed the tax from the price?
Some stores, especially duty-free shops, show the price without tax included. In that case, there is no tax to refund — the store has already done it. Check the receipt to see whether consumption tax is listed separately. If it is not, no refund is available.
Can I claim a refund on food or drinks I bought to take home?
Packaged food and drinks are goods, not services, so yes — you can claim the tax back on unopened bottles, snacks, or prepared meals in sealed packaging. However, if you have eaten or opened anything, it is no longer refundable. Alcohol and tobacco may have restrictions depending on the prefecture.
What if I lose my receipt before I get to the airport?
You cannot claim the refund without the original receipt. The airport staff need it to verify the transaction and the amount of tax paid. If you lose it, keep the goods in original packaging in case the store can reissue a copy, but there is no may provide. Always keep receipts in a safe place until you leave Japan.