This time, our Taiwanese editor, Chia-chi, checked out TaxFreeOnline.jp.

"Tax exemption procedures can be a bit of a hassle, right? But I was surprised to learn there's a service available online where you can conveniently shop for tax-free items whenever you want and then get them delivered to your hotel. I can't wait to give it a try!"

TaxFreeOnline.jp is Japan's first online service (operated by iEnt Inc.) that allows you to shop tax-free.

With this service, you can avoid waiting in line for tax-free processing at stores. You can fill your cart before your trip to Japan and enjoy discounted shopping for popular snacks, pharmaceuticals, regional specialty products from various parts of Japan, and more, all at tax-free prices.

From 30 days before you arrive in Japan, you can browse and pre-order products on the website. Your order can then be received, have payment processed, and undergo tax-free procedures at your preferred pickup location, such as an affiliated hotel or airport.

Of course, you can also utilize the service during your trip after arriving in Japan.

Please note that each purchase has a system usage fee equivalent to 25% of the consumption tax amount.
(Example: For a 1,000 yen item with a 10% consumption tax, the system usage fee would be 25 yen.)

At select partner hotels, you can find actual craft items on display, allowing you to check them out in person and make on-the-spot purchases.

"I checked the website from my hotel room and was pleasantly surprised by the extensive product lineup! They have popular items such as Eve A Tablets and other medicines, supplements, food products, cosmetics like Shiseido Anessa, and even household appliances. They also offer a wide range of traditional Japanese crafts and stationery. It's quite impressive. They even have the item I was looking for, so I'm excited to make a purchase."

As of May 2023, TaxFreeOnline.jp has listings from 260 vendors, showcasing the diversity of their product lineup. They offer practical household appliances, exclusive medicines, and cosmetics that can only be found in Japan, as well as unique traditional crafts that reflect Japan's cultural heritage.

The TaxFreeOnline.jp website supports five languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (traditional and simplified characters), and Korean.

Firstly, let's proceed with member registration. After that, you can choose your preferred language and start adding items to your cart.

"Walking around and searching for things I'd like to buy in different stores can be pretty time-consuming. But with the website, you can easily check whether items are in stock. Being able to shop 24/7 from the comfort of your hotel room is incredibly convenient and efficient. It saves a lot of time and lets you relax more during your trip."

"Some items may even have discounts like 5% off when purchased in bulk."

Once the total purchase amount at a single store exceeds 5,000 yen, it becomes eligible for tax exemption. You can then tap the "Proceed to Order" button and move to the payment screen.

Accepted payment methods include credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover Card, Diners Club) and Chinese e-wallets such as Alipay and WeChat Pay.

When using Alipay or WeChat Pay, a partial payment of 3,000 yen as a deposit will be required during the order placement, and the remaining balance will be paid upon receiving the items at an affiliated hotel or airport.

For card payments, the deposit during the order placement is only for credit authorization. In the event of customer-initiated cancellations, a cancellation fee of 3,000 yen will be charged.

After clicking "Proceed to Order," you will be taken to a screen where you can select where to pick up your items. Various options will be available, including hotels and airports.

"For this order, I selected 'MIMARU Tokyo Hatchobori,' where I am currently staying. It's convenient to know that there are also hotels that offer item pickup services even if you're not staying there!" Chia-chi mentioned.

Next, you select the pickup date. The availability may vary depending on the items, but in general, you can expect to receive them as early as the next day or within an average of two days.

Upon completing the payment, you will be redirected to the "Visit Japan Web" website. It is recommended to create an account in advance on the government's Visit Japan Web platform as it will be convenient for placing orders. Passport registration is also possible.

(Visit Japan Web is an online service provided by Japan's Digital Agency for immigration procedures such as quarantine, entry examination, and customs declaration.)

Once you reach the designated pickup location on the specified date, you can simply collect your items. There are no complicated procedures involved.

As her product pickup location, Chia-chi recommended MIMARU Tokyo Hatchobori.

"MIMARU provides apartment hotels that can accommodate four or more guests in each room. The rooms feature a kitchen and dining area, equipped with a microwave and refrigerator. The interior design has a blend of Japanese aesthetics and modern elements, providing a comfortable and spacious living experience. The multilingual support is excellent, making it very user-friendly for foreign visitors."

Once you spot the "Collection Point" sign for TaxFreeOnline.jp at the front desk, you're all set. You can proceed to collect your items right away.

When picking up your items, you will only need two things:
1. The member QR code from your TaxFreeOnline.jp account's My Page on the website.
2. The tax-free QR code from Visit Japan Web or your passport.

Please make sure to have them prepared in advance for a smooth pickup process.

The staff will scan the member QR code from your TaxFreeOnline.jp account's My Page within the facility where you're picking up the items (or present your passport). After they confirm your purchased items, you're good to go!

Once the staff member brings the items to you, have a look and make sure things align with your order. After confirming that everything is as expected, the pickup process is complete.

After receiving your items, you will need to make payment and then follow the tax exemption procedure. On the website, tap on the "Payment & Tax-Free Procedure" button positioned beneath the QR code, and finalize the payment process.

Once the payment is completed, press the "Open VJW" button to access Visit Japan Web. Log in to your Visit Japan Web account and display the tax exemption QR code. With that, the procedures will be successfully concluded.

"I successfully received my things! It's so convenient to have them delivered to the hotel. Since they are a bit heavy, I don't have to worry about carrying them around!"

Usage Conditions
・Must be a foreign visitor.
・The total purchase amount at a single store must be 5,000 yen or more. (For consumable items, the upper limit is 500,000 yen.)

Furoshiki are Japanese cloths traditionally used to wrap and/or transport items. Today, they also double as a stylish accessory akin to a scarf. Recently, furoshiki have garnered increased interest for their eco-friendly qualities, as they can be used as a compact bag or even as a substitute for an eco-bag.

These furoshiki pieces showcase exquisite traditional Japanese designs, while their polyester material ensures effortless maintenance, as they can be conveniently washed in a washing machine. This fusion of traditional patterns and user-friendly features makes them exceptionally commendable.

This custom-made leather card holder is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans from Japan's oldest specialist workshop for gentlemen's leather accessories. The technique used, called "beta-ori," requires a high level of craftsmanship, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail unique to Japanese artisans.

Being handmade, each piece is one-of-a-kind, and the craftsmanship reflects Japan's renowned expertise. These handcrafted items are meant to last a lifetime, making them a perfect choice as a special gift for yourself or your loved ones.

Strong Wakamoto is a popular gastrointestinal medicine among foreign tourists, known for its three functions: aiding digestion, promoting intestinal health, and providing nutritional support. It is particularly familiar to visitors from Taiwan, and in Japan, you can purchase it at a discounted price. On TaxFreeOnline.jp, you can even get a 5% discount when purchasing a set of three.

Also, since boxes of medication can be a bit cumbersome while sightseeing, it's highly recommended to purchase it online for added convenience.

The collagen powder from Shiseido, a globally renowned Japanese cosmetics company, is highly recommended. Shiseido's cosmetics, supplements, and food products are popular souvenirs among beauty-conscious foreign travelers.

Among various collagen products, Shiseido's collagen powder stands out not only for its high-quality ingredients but also for its delicious taste, easy drinkability, and convenient solubility.

Kuramoto Face Mask is a collaborative project among sake breweries in Niigata Prefecture, one of Japan's leading sake-producing regions. The face masks are made using traditional Japanese production methods that are highly regarded worldwide. They incorporate sake, a unique Japanese alcoholic beverage, and sake lees obtained during the brewing process. Both sake and sake lees are known for their high nutritional content, making them beneficial not only for consumption but also for skin care.

Individually packaged, these face masks are easy to distribute and make for a perfect Japanese-style souvenir that anyone would appreciate.

Chia-chi's impressions from actually using the service:

"It's incredibly convenient for travelers to be able to shop with just their smartphone. The efficiency is a big plus! Being able to use it even before arriving in Japan saves time and effort in searching for things while traveling, allowing more time for sightseeing and activities. It's also useful for situations like 'Oops, I forgot to buy something during my trip!' or 'I don't have time to go shopping.'

The option to receive the items at hotels or airports eliminates the need to carry around bulky packages, making it extremely convenient. The whole process, from navigation to procedures, was really straightforward. I believe that foreign travelers should make the most of this service!"

Shopping during a trip is one of the great pleasures. But it can also sometimes be time-consuming to travel to distant shops, or the desired items may not be available at the shops along your sightseeing route. It's a shame to waste precious travel time in such situations.

In such cases, taking advantage of the privilege that foreign travelers have, namely "tax-free" shopping, can be a game-changer. With TaxFreeOnline.jp, you can shop online even before you arrive in Japan and have your purchases delivered to your chosen location among the designated facilities. It truly becomes a strong ally for your journey. Make efficient use of your time before and during your trip to shop and fully enjoy the unique tourist attractions and activities that Japan has to offer.

* The information in this article is based on data available as of June 2023. Please verify the latest information on the official website or other reliable sources.

Cooperation
MIMARU Tokyo Hatchobori