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Japan Travel Tips

Shopping

Japan is a shopper's paradise, offering everything from high-tech gadgetry and electronics to traditional arts and crafts. Large department stores, specialty shops, fashion boutiques, hotel arcades and shopping centres abound. Popular buys include cameras, watches, CD players, hi-fi equipment, silk goods, lacquer ware, Japanese dolls, and woodblock prints. Duty-free shopping is only available in Japan's international airports but tax-free shopping is possible in urban centres at authorised tax-free stores. In these stores, purchases of over ¥10,000 on selected items are exempt from Japan's 5% Consumption Tax but it is worth comparing prices at discount stores and bargain markets before you buy.

Hotel Tax and Service Charges
At most hotels, a 10-15% service charge is added to the bill in lieu of tipping. There is usually a 10-20% service charge at Ryokan (traditional Japanese Inns) with private maid service.

If the total charge for your accommodation per person per night (including food, drinks and service charges) is ¥15,000 or less a 5% tax is imposed. When the total charge exceeds ¥15,000, an 8% tax is levied.

On October 1st, 2002 the Tokyo Metropolitan Government introduced an accommodation tax to help cover expenses to promote tourism and to enhance the attractiveness of Tokyo. The tax is only levied on guests who stay at hotels or inns in Tokyo priced at ¥10,000 or higher. For a room priced ¥10,000-¥14,999 per person, per night the tax is ¥100 per person, per night. For rooms over ¥15,000 per night the tax is ¥200 per person, per night.

• View details of shopping hours.

• Visit our Tokyo Head Office Website for a guide to the best shopping in Japan.

• Consumption Tax

  • A 5% consumption tax is levied on all goods and services in Japan, except for items that are purchased ‘duty-free'. Duty-free shopping is only available in Japan's international airports.

  • Tax-free shopping is possible in urban centres at authorised tax-free stores. In these stores, purchases of over ¥10,000 on selected items are exempt from Japan's 5% Consumption Tax.

  • Departing foreign visitors cannot be reimbursed for consumption tax paid on other items purchased during their stay in Japan.

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  Information provided by Japan National Tourist Organization.

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