Japan's consumption tax applies to most retail purchases, but visitors on a temporary stay can shop tax-free at participating stores — a genuine saving on larger purchases, with a process that's straightforward once you know the shape of it.
Who qualifies
Tax-free shopping is available to travellers on a temporary visitor visa (not residents or long-term visa holders), and requires showing your passport at the time of purchase — bring the physical passport, not a photo of it, as some stores are strict about this.
How it works at checkout
Larger stores and department stores typically have either a dedicated tax-free counter or handle it directly at the register; smaller shops that offer it will process it at the point of sale. Minimum purchase thresholds apply and can vary by product category (general goods vs. consumables), so check with the specific store rather than assuming a purchase qualifies.
Not every shop offers it
Tax-free shopping is opt-in for retailers, not universal — major department stores, electronics chains and many shops in tourist-heavy areas participate, but plenty of smaller, family-run shops don't bother with the paperwork. Look for tax-free signage in the window, or simply ask.
Consumables vs. general goods
Food, drink, cosmetics and similar consumable items are sometimes sealed in tamper-evident packaging as a condition of the tax exemption, with a requirement not to open them until you've left Japan — worth knowing before you buy food gifts you were planning to snack on during the trip.