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Japan Shopping Guide

Practical notes on price tags, tax-free shopping, stores, and payment before your next trip to Japan.

Japan Tax-Free Shopping Guide 2026: Rules & ¥5,000 Minimum

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Guide

Japan Food Allergen Labels: The 2026 Cashew and Pistachio Rules

Learn how to read Japanese allergen labels, the 9 mandatory and 20 recommended items, the cashew transition, and where packaged-food rules stop.

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Japan Travel App Checklist: Maps, Transit, Shopping & Money

Build a practical Japan travel app setup for maps, transit, translation, safety and shopping. See exactly when Ikura Cart is useful—and when it is not.

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Japan Clothing and Shoe Sizes: Measure Before You Convert

Choose clothing and shoes in Japan by comparing body and garment measurements, reading JP shoe sizes in cm, checking width, and trying items on.

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Japan Cosmetics in Carry-on or Checked Baggage: The 100ml Rule

Sort skincare, perfume, creams, gels and sprays bought in Japan into carry-on or checked baggage, including airport duty-free and transit cases.

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Can You Return Purchases in Japan? A Tourist Guide

Learn when Japanese stores may accept a return or exchange, what to bring, how defects differ from a change of mind, and what happens to tax-free purchases.

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Japan Tax-Free vs Airport Duty-Free: Which Price Is Better?

Compare Japan city tax-free shops with airport duty-free stores by tax removed, minimum spend, selection, timing, and the final price you actually pay.

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Can You Open a Japan Tax-Free Bag Before Departure?

Learn when a Japan tax-free bag must stay sealed, how mixed purchases affect clothes, and what to do if the seal breaks.

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Japan Tax-Free Receipt Rules: Same Store, Same Day

Can Japan tax-free receipts be combined? Learn the same-store same-day rule, mixed goods packaging, and what to ask before checkout.

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Buying Electronics in Japan: 100V, Plugs and Overseas Use

Check whether a Japan-only appliance will work at home by reading its input label, frequency, plug, transformer needs and warranty before checkout.

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Japan OTC Medicine Classes: Class 1, 2 and 3 at Drugstores

Read Japan's OTC class labels, know when a pharmacist is required and understand the extra purchase questions for some medicines from May 2026.

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Japanese Food Expiration Dates: 賞味期限 vs 消費期限

Learn how to read Japanese best-before and use-by dates, decode year-month-day labels, find month-only dates and choose food souvenirs that will last.

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How to Read a Japanese Receipt: Total, Tax, Discounts and Change

Decode Japanese store receipts by finding the final total, 8% and 10% tax groups, discounts, payment method and cash change without translating every line.

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Japan IC Card Refunds: Use Up or Cash Out Your Balance?

Compare leftover-balance rules for Welcome Suica, TOURIST PASMO and regular cards. Calculate the ¥220 refund fee and avoid losing value after 28 days.

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Japan ATM Fees for Foreign Cards: Calculate the Real Cost

Learn the four costs behind a yen withdrawal in Japan, how Seven Bank and Japan Post limits differ, and why the ATM currency choice matters.

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Pay in Yen or Home Currency in Japan? DCC Explained

When a Japanese card terminal offers JPY or your home currency, learn who sets each exchange rate, what to compare, and how to correct a mistaken choice.

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Japan Tax-Free Card Name Rules: Must It Match Your Passport?

Learn who must show a passport, why many Japan tax-free counters match the payment card name, and how families can avoid a rejected transaction.

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Kumamoto Earthquake Safety Guide for Travelers in Japan

What travelers should do during further strong shaking in Japan, including hotel and shopping mall safety, official alerts, Wi-Fi, and emergency contacts.

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Japan Departure Tax 2026: Who Pays the New ¥3,000 Fee?

Japan's departure tax rose to ¥3,000 on July 1, 2026. Check ticket rules, the old ¥1,000 transition, transit exemptions, and family costs.

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Can You Ship Japan Tax-Free Purchases Home?

Learn why mailing tax-free goods from a hotel or post office no longer works, and when store-arranged direct overseas shipment is still valid.

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Japan Tax-Free Eligibility: Visa Status and Entry Stamp Guide

Check whether your Japan entry status qualifies for tax-free shopping, which passport proof stores need, and what to do at an automated immigration gate.

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Visit Japan Web Tax-Free QR: Passport, Setup & Store Use

Set up the Visit Japan Web tax-free QR, find stores that accept it, and avoid using the arrival code or a saved screenshot at checkout.

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Don Quijote Tax-Free Shopping: A Checkout Guide

A practical Don Quijote guide for tourists: the ¥5,000 pre-tax minimum, passport, changing coupon terms, busy price tags and checkout preparation.

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Japan Consumption Tax: 8% vs 10% for Travelers

Learn which purchases in Japan use 8% or 10% consumption tax, including takeaway food, alcohol, dining, medicine and cosmetics.

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Japan Tax-Free Calculator: ¥5,000 Rule, 8% vs 10%

Japan's tax-free minimum is ¥5,000 before tax. See the ¥5,400 and ¥5,500 thresholds, formulas, mixed-cart examples and refund caveats for 2026.

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How to Read Japanese Price Tags: 税込, 税抜 & +税 Explained

Learn 税込, 税抜, 本体価格 and +税 on Japanese price tags, plus 8% vs 10% tax and how to find the price you will actually pay.

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What to Buy on a Hot Day in Japan: A Simple Summer Kit

What to pick up at a Japanese convenience store or drugstore on a hot day, what you can skip, and how to keep your summer day bag light.