The shops in the International Airport are “Duty-Free”, which means anyone leaving the country can shop without liquor and tobacco tax, not to mention free of tariffs.

On one hand, the various “Tax-Free” shops around the shopping district only waive the “consumption tax” off the final bill for non-residents (Japanese who reside outside of Japan also qualify).

The value of not needing to pay the consumption tax is what makes duty-free shops so popular among tourists visiting Japan. You can’t go back after a trip to Japan without shopping!

Tax exemption applies to two categories of products: general goods are consumable goods. General goods are items such as household appliances, bags or shoes, clothes, watches and folk craft. Consumable goods refer to foodstuffs and other perishables like make-up, fruits, drinks and medicines.

Requirements for tax exemption
General goods
- Minimum purchase of 5,000 yen within a single day for tax exemption to apply
- For purchases of 1 million or more, a copy of the buyer’s passport is needed.

Consumable goods
- Minimum purchase of 5,000 yen and a maximum of 500,000 yen within a single day for tax exemption to apply.
- Goods must be brought out of the country within 30 days of purchase.
- Goods will be packed in a special plastic bag to prevent them from being used.
- Purchased goods cannot be unsealed within Japan. The tax will be charged again if the purchased goods have been used within the country.

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Homepage

Here are our top 5 recommendations for tax-free shopping in Osaka.

The south building of Daimaru Shinsaibashi is located right across the Osaka Metro’s Shinsaibashi station, which boasts the largest building even among all the company’s other branches in Japan.

Specialties
From the latest fashion, bags, shoes, overseas-use appliances, audio equipment, and digital cameras, to kitchen miscellany, health/food products and souvenirs, the establishment is a veritable one-stop for all your shopping needs.

Services
Occasionally, the store holds special sales. You can find out about any ongoing ones at the concierge on the 2nd floor, which provides their services in Japanese, English and Chinese. The 7th floor has two separate prayer rooms for both genders as well. Even after you leave Japan and return to your home country, the company has after-services available online (available in Japanese, English and Chinese too).

The LAOX building in the Dotonbori area is also one of the largest complexes, like the Daimaru store, and opened in mid-April 2020. Do take a look when you’re in the area.

Another popular spot in Minami’s shopping district is the “Shinsaibashi-suji Shotengai”. Here, a home appliances chain “Edion” is another tax-free establishment.

Specialties
As a home appliances chain, the place is popular for their hair dryers and other beauty care products, not to mention the variety of appliances that can be used outside Japan. From headphones to watches, esthetic goods and even stainless steel bottles, everyday items are also plentiful in stock. Hobbyists will enjoy their collection of “Mobile Suit Gundam” plastic models too.

Services
A variety of payment options are accepted here, from Union Pay to e-wallet services like WeChat Pay and Alipay. The store is also outfitted with tablets with the “Payke” app that displays information on products in seven different languages, just by scanning the item’s barcode. Shipping services (not free-of-charge) to your home overseas as well as to your hotel within the country are also available (this service is provided complimentary for purchases 100,000 yen and above).

The giant Ferris wheel “Ebisu Tower” is one of Minami’s iconic tourist locations, and the “Don Quixote Dotonbori North Building” is located roughly 70 meters east of there.

Specialties
The Don Quixote franchise is synonymous with the concept of cheap goods in bulk. Popular items are collected compactly, with a strong emphasis on products targeted towards foreign tourists. The store is open from 9:00am to 3:00am the following day, which makes the place very accessible just by the opening hours alone.

Services
Luggage storage services are available so that you can enjoy your shopping without the burden of baggage, and delivery services to hotels are also present. Staff proficient in languages other than Japanese as well as smart tablets with translation services (in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese) so you can shop at ease.

The “Doton Plaza” located in Minami’s Dotonbori area is a large-scale shopping center that specializes in tax-free shopping. Shoppers can enjoy many different cafes and restaurants within the building.

Specialties
Bags, watches, accessories from high-end brands, coupled with a selection of cosmetics and health products, drug store and a general goods store produced by popular Japanese brand Hands, the establishment has an abundant selection.

Services
The Doton Piston Bs, a tour bus service that shuttles commuters between Kansai International Airport and Doton Plaza (reservation required) gives shoppers a direct line straight to the airport. UnionPay and e-wallet services like WeChat Pay and Alipay are all accepted here. The staff are also proficient in Chinese, Korean, English and Thai.

Located in Osaka’s Kita area, right beside Osaka Umeda Station is the Hankyu Department Store, boasting super-high end brands all lined up for discerning customers. The cosmetics section here, one of West Japan’s best, carries a wide selection of Japanese and foreign brands.

Services
Tax exemptions can be redeemed at both the foreign customer services counter (basement 1) and the Tax Refund counter (level 1). The latter is a self-service machine, which can refund the tax exemptions through credit card, UnionPay, Alipay, or WeChat Pay for a speedy and efficient process. The former has refunds in cash, with options of 12 different countries to change your yen to.

Delivery services to 11 different hotels within the city area of Osaka (for purchase 10,000-yen and above), as well as international shipping services are available here. Payment options from UnionPay, Alipay and WeChat Pay are also accepted with a 5% discount on the total price, not to mention payments in cash are also rewarded with a guest coupon for a discount of the same value. The staff are proficient in English, Chinese and Korean as well, who you can approach to get interpretation help for your shopping.

Osaka stands out among countless cities as a stellar choice for shopping with its accessibility and wide variety of products in duty-free shops. What do you think? Have an enjoyable holiday tour by shopping smartly for these value-for-money goods.