Q&A
One question per page: the answer comes first, followed by details and sources.
General: tax-free, customs and flights
How is Japan's tax-free shopping changing from November 2026? Can I still buy tax-free at the register?
No. What counts is the purchase date: anything bought on or before October 31, 2026 is still tax-free at checkout, but from November 1, 2026 Japan switches to a…
What to buy at Don Quijote (Donki) in Japan, and how does tax-free work there? Are there refund fees from November 2026?
As of October 2026, Don Quijote's official tax-free conditions are 5,000 yen or more excluding tax at one store on the same day, with your original passport, pr…
Do I pay duty on electronics and cosmetics bought in Japan? Duty-free allowances for the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Singapore, Taiwan and more
As of October 2026, the personal allowances published by each customs authority are: US residents US$800 (after 48 hours abroad), Canadian residents C$800 (afte…
How do tax refunds work at Narita, Haneda and Kansai airports from November 2026? Where are the customs kiosks, and can I get cash?
For tax-free goods bought from November 1, 2026, you must get customs confirmation at your departure airport before checking your bags: scan your passport at a …
Will Japanese appliances work in the US, Canada and Taiwan (110–127V) or the UK, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong (220–240V)?
Japan's household power is 100V at 50/60Hz with flat two-pin Type A plugs. Appliances marked AC100–240V (most travel hair dryers, hair irons, shavers and toothb…
Can I bring Japanese cosmetics, skincare and sunscreen into the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong or Taiwan? Liquid and customs rules
As of October 2026, personal-use quantities of cosmetics can be brought into all of these places. Three things to watch: first, flights from Japan limit carry-o…
Can I bring Japanese snacks, matcha and beef jerky into the US, Canada, Australia or the UK? Food customs rules by country
As of October 2026, the common ground is: declare food when you arrive; matcha and tea, and packaged snacks without meat such as cookies and chocolate, are gene…
Can I bring Japanese cold medicine to Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Korea or Taiwan? Rules on codeine and pseudoephedrine by country
As of October 2026, many Japanese combination cold medicines contain dihydrocodeine (ジヒドロコデイン) and methylephedrine, and some nasal and cold medicines contain ps…
How much tax do I get back on appliances bought in Japan, and how is it calculated?
Appliances carry 10% consumption tax, so the refundable amount is 1/11 of the tax-included price, about 9.1% (for example, 5,000 yen back on 55,000 yen tax incl…
Where should I buy electronics in Tokyo: Akihabara, Shinjuku or Ginza?
As of October 2026, the most convenient places are the big electronics stores next to stations: Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba and Bic Camera AKIBA in Akihabara, Bi…
Rice Cooker
Does it matter if a Japanese appliance is 50Hz or 60Hz when I take it home?
Eastern Japan (Tokyo and nearby) runs on 50Hz and western Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, etc.) on 60Hz, but as of October 2026 nearly all small appliances sold in Japan, …
Can I check a rice cooker or toilet seat bought in Japan? What should I watch out for?
Yes. Appliances without lithium batteries, such as rice cookers, toilet seats, and hair dryers, can go in checked baggage; pack large items in the original box …
What's the difference between overseas and domestic models of Japanese appliances? Which should I buy to take home?
Domestic models (国内仕様) are made for Japan: 100V, Type A flat two-pin plugs and Japanese-language controls. Overseas models (海外向け/海外仕様) are usually 220V or 100–2…
How do I choose a rice cooker in Japan? Which brand and model should I buy?
If you'll use it in a 220V country, buy a 220V overseas model (海外向け); a 100V domestic model will burn out on 220V. As of October 2026, choose in three steps: ca…
Is it worth buying a rice cooker in Japan? How much can I save?
Not always. As of October 2026, whether Japan is cheaper depends on the model and on the price of the same model in your country, and the tax refund saves you a…
Will an appliance I bought in Japan be covered by warranty if it breaks after I get home?
Usually not. As of October 2026, the manufacturer warranty on Japan-domestic appliances is generally valid only in Japan, so if one breaks back home you'll typi…
Hair Dryer
Which hair dryer brand should I buy in Japan, and how do I choose?
If you plan to use it back home, first narrow it down to global-voltage models labeled 100–240V, then pick by need. As of October 2026, common brands in Japanes…
Can I use a hair dryer bought in Japan back home?
It depends on the voltage. As of October 2026, hair dryers in Japanese stores come in two types: domestic models labeled “AC100V” will burn out on 220V power, w…
Hair Iron
How do I choose a hair straightener or curling iron in Japan, and which brands are good?
As of October 2026, most straighteners and curling irons sold in Japan switch automatically between 100–240V, but a few domestic AC100V models remain, so check …
Can I take a curling iron or straightener bought in Japan on a plane? Can cordless ones be checked?
Corded models (including USB-powered ones without built-in batteries) are fine in both carry-on and checked baggage. As of October 2026, under Japan's Ministry …
Can I take appliances with lithium batteries bought in Japan on a plane? Can power banks be checked?
Appliances with built-in lithium batteries rated at 100Wh or less (electric toothbrushes, shavers, cordless straighteners, etc.) can go in your carry-on, and we…
Electric Bidet Seat
Electric Toothbrush
Which electric toothbrush should I buy in Japan? Panasonic, Philips, or Oral-B?
As of October 2026, the common electric toothbrushes in Japan are Panasonic Doltz (sonic), Philips Sonicare (sonic), Oral-B (oscillating-rotating), and Omron. F…
Can I charge an electric toothbrush from Japan back home?
It depends on the voltage printed on the charger (charging stand or adapter). As of October 2026, chargers marked AC100–240V can be plugged straight into higher…
Shaver
Which electric shaver should I buy in Japan? Panasonic or Braun?
As of October 2026, most mainstream electric shavers in Japan come with 100–240V auto-switching chargers and Type A flat-pin plugs, so you usually don't need a …
Can I take a shaver bought in Japan on a plane? Do I need to declare it at customs?
Yes. As of October 2026, the built-in lithium battery in an electric shaver is usually only a few Wh, far below 100Wh, so under Japan's MLIT rules it's allowed …
Game Console
Which game console should I buy in Japan: Switch 2, PS5, or a handheld PC?
As of October 2026, Nintendo is the easiest to take home: the multilingual Switch 2 (69,980 yen, only from the official My Nintendo Store) or the original Switc…
Can I use a Japanese PS5 back home?
We don't recommend it. As of October 2026, the PS5, PS5 Digital Edition and PS5 Pro sold in Japan have built-in power supplies rated “100V” in the official manu…
What's the difference between the Japan-only and multi-language Switch 2 sold in Japan? Will it work in my country?
The hardware is the same; the differences are language and account region. As of October 2026, the Japanese-language/Japan-only edition (59,980 yen) runs only i…
Cosmetics & Skincare
Should I buy Japanese cosmetics at a drugstore or a department store counter? How do I get the best deal?
It depends on the brand. As of October 2026, drugstore brands such as Hada Labo, Curel, Anessa, Biore, and Melano CC are sold at drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyos…
Can I take toner and sunscreen bought in Japan on the plane, or do they need to be checked?
You can take them, but on international flights from Japan each liquid in your carry-on (including toner, lotion, cream, sunscreen, and gel) must be 100 ml or l…
Vacuum Bottles & Mugs
OTC Medicines & Health Goods
What to buy at Japanese drugstores (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Sundrug, Tsuruha, Daikoku) and how tax-free and refunds work
As of October 2026, drugstores use the same tax-free threshold as other shops: 5,000 yen or more excluding tax at one store on the same day, with your original …
How do I choose Japanese eye drops? Which Santen, Rohto, or Lion product is right for me?
Consider three things first: how strong a cooling sensation you want, whether you can use them with contact lenses, and which ingredients (such as vitamins) you…
How do I choose OTC medicine at a Japanese drugstore? What do Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 mean?
Start with the risk class printed on the box: Class 1 drugs (such as Loxonin S) can only be sold while a pharmacist is on duty and after an explanation, and som…
Outdoor Gear
Is it worth buying mont-bell and Snow Peak outdoor gear in Japan? What should I buy?
Usually it's worth a look: both are Japanese brands, Japan has the fullest lineup, and the official website price is the nationwide reference price (as of Octob…
Can I take outdoor gear bought in Japan on a plane? What about gas canisters, knives, trekking poles and power banks?
According to the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) list of restricted items (as of October 2026), stove gas canisters (screw-…
Souvenir Sweets
Matcha & Japanese Tea
Snacks & Sweets
Travelers from mainland China
Customs allowances, plugs and voltage rules that apply only when you fly home to mainland China.
Do I pay duty when bringing appliances from Japan into mainland China if they're worth over 5,000 yuan?
As of October 2026, mainland China resident travelers may bring in personal-use items acquired abroad duty-free up to a total of 5,000 yuan (inclusive), plus up…
Do I need to declare cosmetics from Japan when entering mainland China? How does the 5,000-yuan allowance work?
As of October 2026, mainland China resident travelers may bring in personal-use items bought abroad duty-free up to a total of 5,000 yuan (inclusive), with cosm…
Can I use appliances bought in Japan in my country? What happens if I plug a 100V appliance into 220V?
Japan's household voltage is 100V, while many countries use higher voltages (mainland China, for example, uses 220V, 50Hz). As of October 2026, Japanese domesti…
Can I take Japanese snacks, souvenirs, and matcha into mainland China? What are the rules for meat, eggs, dairy, and fresh fruit?
Most prepackaged cookies, chocolate, candy, rice crackers, and tea are fine in reasonable personal-use quantities, and they count toward the 5,000 yuan duty-fre…
Can I take medicine bought in Japan into mainland China? How much, and are cold medicines with ephedrine allowed?
Generally yes, as long as it's a reasonable quantity for personal use: as of October 2026, China's General Administration of Customs has not published a single …
Will a Japanese appliance plug fit outlets back home? Do I need a plug adapter?
It depends on your country's outlets: Japanese domestic models use Type A flat two-pin plugs, while the 220V overseas models sold to visitors in Japan (rice coo…
How do I install a toilet seat bought in Japan at home, and will it fit my toilet?
First, it has to be a model rated for your home voltage, such as the 220V models made for mainland China. As of October 2026, installation needs three things: a…