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Japan's new tax refund system from November 1, 2026
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Matsumoto Kiyoshi tax-free shopping from 1 November 2026

Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Cocokara Fine, run by the same company, are where many visitors buy medicines, cosmetics and skincare. As of 21 October 2026 the company has not announced its refund fee or which refund company it will use. Here is what applies and what to ask in the store.

By Mikako Yoshida ·Published 21 October 2026

Matsumoto Kiyoshi tax-free shopping from 1 November 2026
Tax-free sign, Okinawa · Photo: Naha Mama Pavilionz (CC0)

What is known (as of 21 October 2026)

TopicWhat appliesSource
Refund feeNot announced—
Refund company and appNot announced—
Minimum spend¥5,000 before tax at the same store on the same dayJapan Tourism Agency
Which stores are tax-freeNot all of them. The store finder marks tax-free stores “TAX FREE”.Matsumoto Kiyoshi store finder
Visitor coupon3%, 5% or 7% off, valid until 31 March 2027FUN! JAPAN and MATCHA coupon pages
Matsumoto Kiyoshi drugstore, Sendai
Matsumoto Kiyoshi drugstore, Sendai · Photo: 七厩拓 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Medicines and cosmetics under the new rules

From 1 November the separate rules for consumables end. Medicines, cosmetics and food count together with other goods towards the ¥5,000 minimum, the ¥500,000 limit on consumables is gone and there are no more sealed bags.

One thing has not changed: the goods must leave Japan unused. If you open and use medicines or cosmetics bought tax-free before the customs check, customs can refuse the refund for everything on that receipt. Pack them where you can reach them in case you get a red result at the kiosk.

The visitor coupon

  • The Matsumoto Kiyoshi coupon on FUN! JAPAN and MATCHA gives 3% off purchases from ¥10,000 to under ¥30,000, 5% from ¥30,000 to under ¥50,000 and 7% from ¥50,000: Matsumoto Kiyoshi coupon. The pages do not say whether these amounts include tax, so ask at the till.
  • Cocokara Fine has its own coupon with the same rates: Cocokara Fine coupon.
  • Show it on your phone before you pay. It cannot be combined with other discounts and does not work in every store, for example some outlet mall stores.
  • Excluded: counselling cosmetics, tobacco, magazines, baby nappies, baby food and some other items.

Some medicines need a pharmacist

Category 1 over-the-counter medicines, a group that includes some stronger painkillers and hair-growth treatments, can only be sold while a pharmacist is on duty. If no pharmacist is working at that moment, the store cannot sell them to you.

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eSIM for Japan, installed before you leave home

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JR Pass and Shinkansen tickets

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Airport transfer when you have a lot of shopping bags

Klook Trip.com Welcome Pickups

Luggage storage in Tokyo for the hours before an evening flight

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Coupons

A store to know

The Matsumoto Kiyoshi SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE FLAG store opened in March 2026 in Udagawa-cho, near Shibuya Crossing. It is open from 9:00 to 23:00 every day and handles tax-free sales.

Before you leave the store

  • Check that the store is tax-free before you shop, and ask how the refund is registered.
  • Keep the receipt and everything from it together until the customs check.
  • Do not open and use medicines or cosmetics before you leave Japan.
  • At the airport, do the kiosk check before you check in any bag.

For your departure day

Tax-free sign at a drugstore in Namba, Osaka
Tax-free sign at a drugstore in Namba, Osaka · Photo: Mr.ちゅらさん (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Related guides

Visitor couponsOfficial coupons from electronics stores, drugstores and department stores.Who can claim and what countsThe ¥5,000 minimum and which goods qualify.At the airportWhere the kiosks are and what green and red mean.

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