Shopping in Japan 🛒

Japan is a shopping paradise, with an endless variety of stores offering just about everything - from traditional souvenirs to the latest electronics, alongside some of the hottest fashion brands. In Japan, you’ll find both local and international brands across the entire price range, from 100-yen shops to some of the most luxurious fashion stores in the world.

Opening Hours

In general, large stores and chains are open daily between 10:00–20:00. Smaller shops may close earlier. Most stores are open on weekends and national holidays (except for January 1st, when many stores are closed for New Year).

Payment

Cash is widely accepted everywhere. There’s no issue using large bills even for small purchases. Credit cards are also perfectly fine in most stores, especially in major cities. As you move away from urban areas into more remote places it’s better to have cash on hand. You can read more about this in the post I wrote about money. In many places, you can also pay using rechargeable IC cards such as Suica, Pasmo, and others.

No bargaining! It’s simply not acceptable in Japan

Tax & Tax-Free Shopping

Japan’s consumption tax (similar to VAT) is 10% on most items, except for food and beverages, which are taxed at 8%.

Tax-free shopping is available for foreign tourists on purchases starting from ¥5,000 (~$30–35 USD), upon presenting a valid passport. The minimum purchase amount may vary from store to store, so it’s important to check whether the store offers tax-free shopping. Note that in many stores, you’ll first be asked to pay the full price (including tax), and only then begin the refund process. In most cases, the refund is given immediately at the time of purchase - not at the airport.

5 Brands Worth Checking Out

6 Products Worth Checking Out

5 Recommended Malls

And a pro tip: not many people know this, but Amazon exists in Japan! Prices can sometimes be cheaper than in stores, and delivery, like in the U.S., usually arrives the next day.