What is known (as of 21 October 2026)
| Topic | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Refund fee | Reported to be free for refunds to a card. Cash at the airport may cost the counter’s own fee. | News reports, 7–19 October 2026; not yet on Bic Camera’s website |
| Refund system | Reported to be J-TaxRefund, run by J&J Tax Free | News reports |
| Minimum spend | ¥5,000 before tax at the same store on the same day | Japan Tourism Agency |
| Passport | Show your passport when you pay | Bic Camera coupon page on LIVE JAPAN |
| Alcohol | Paid at a separate, designated checkout | Bic Camera coupon page on LIVE JAPAN |
| Coupon from November | Not published yet. LIVE JAPAN says it will post it on the same page. | LIVE JAPAN, 9 October 2026 |
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Refund fee and J-TaxRefund
Several news outlets in Taiwan and Hong Kong reported in October 2026 that Bic Camera will pay the refund fee itself, so a refund to your credit card costs you nothing. Taking the refund as cash at the airport may still cost the airport counter’s fee, and the amount you receive can change with card fees and exchange rates. Bic Camera has not published this on its own website yet, and the reports say the offer can change without notice.
The same reports say Bic Camera uses J&J Tax Free’s J-TaxRefund system, which Tsuruha drugstores and Takeya in Ueno also use. Its website for travellers had not opened by 19 October 2026, so follow the instructions on your receipt or from the staff.
The visitor coupon
- Until 31 October 2026, Bic Camera’s coupon on LIVE JAPAN gives 7% off appliances, cameras, watches, toys and contact lenses, 5% off medicines, cosmetics, daily goods and food, and 3% off Japanese sake, on purchases of ¥5,000 or more before tax.
- Purchases from 1 November are not covered. LIVE JAPAN says the new coupon will be posted on the same page: Bic Camera coupon on LIVE JAPAN.
- Show the coupon on your phone before you pay. It cannot be combined with other discounts.
- Excluded items include Apple products, game consoles and games, and some watch, camera and drone brands. The English and Japanese pages list slightly different exclusions, so check on the day.
- It works at Bic Camera and Kojima stores across Japan, with a few exceptions listed on the page.
Big stores visitors use
In Tokyo: the Ikebukuro Main Store, BicCamera AKIBA in Akihabara, Yurakucho, Shinjuku East Exit, Shinjuku West Exit and Shibuya. In Osaka: Namba. Larger stores have their own tax-free tills, often on one floor, so ask where to pay before you queue.
Useful before you fly
Airport transfer when you have a lot of shopping bags
Luggage storage in Tokyo for the hours before an evening flight
Expensive cameras and watches
From 1 November, for any single item of ¥1,000,000 or more the shop records extra details, and for watches and similar goods the serial number. Customs may check that the item you show matches the record.
Before you leave the store
- Keep the receipt and register your refund method the way the staff explain.
- Keep everything from one receipt 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
- Getting to Narita Airport: airport trains, buses and luggage delivery: Skyliner · Klook · KKday
- Getting to Haneda Airport: airport trains, buses and luggage delivery: Tokyo Monorail · Klook · KKday
- Getting to Kansai Airport: airport trains, buses and luggage delivery: HARUKA · Klook · KKday
- Luggage storage in Tokyo for the hours before an evening flight: Radical Storage
- Airport transfer when you have a lot of shopping bags: Klook · Trip.com · Welcome Pickups