"Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai" Now Offers Tax-Free Shopping – 3-Step Process Tested!

Reported and photographed by reporter Tsai Wen-jun / Japan

The must-visit "Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai" now has tax refund services too. Since late 2016, Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai has introduced tax refund counters where travelers can get refunds if their total purchase amount from designated tax-free stores reaches 5,000 yen (before tax). This article shares the actual tax refund process—just follow these 3 steps to complete your refund smoothly.

▲ The must-visit "Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai" in Tokyo is now open for tax refunds.

The tax refund process at Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai can be simply divided into 3 steps:

1. Go to the unified tax refund counter to collect a "Tax-Free Payment Ticket" and "Tax-Free Guide."
2. Shop.
3. Bring your purchases, receipts, and the "Tax-Free Payment Ticket" and "Tax-Free Guide" back to the tax refund counter to process your refund.

▲ The tax refund counter at Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai—remember to come here before shopping.

▲ Foreign travelers wanting to get a tax refund at Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai should remember to show their passport at the counter for registration before shopping.

The unified tax refund counter at Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai is located near the Yaesu North Exit. Before starting your shopping, you must go to the unified tax refund counter to show your passport. After staff confirm you are a short-term visitor, you will receive a "Tax-Free Payment Ticket" and "Tax-Free Guide," then you can start shopping freely.

▲ After registration, foreign travelers will receive a map, Tax-Free Payment Ticket, and Tax-Free Guide.

Travelers should note that, according to the rules of Tokyo Ichiban-gai, as long as you shop at stores with a red-and-white tax refund sign (shown below) on their entrance or signboard, you can enjoy the benefit of a combined total of 5,000 yen (before tax) across multiple stores for a tax refund. Currently, stores with this sign are mainly concentrated in the "Tokyo Anime Character Street," which is most popular with Taiwanese travelers.

▲ Stores with a red-and-white tax refund sign on their signboard offer the benefit of a combined total of 5,000 yen (before tax) across multiple stores for a tax refund.

▲ Tokyo Anime Character Street, loved by Taiwanese travelers—pictured above is the Pokémon specialty store.

When checking out at stores that accept the unified tax refund, travelers must show the Tax-Free Payment Ticket and Tax-Free Guide and pay the taxable price first. The staff will staple the receipt to the Tax-Free Guide. After completing your shopping, bring your passport, purchased items, the Tax-Free Guide with receipts attached, and the Tax-Free Payment Ticket back to the tax refund counter to process your refund. After the procedure is completed, the refund will be given in cash.

▲ After shopping, the store will staple the receipt to the Tax-Free Guide.

Staff also remind that tax-refundable items are divided into two categories: consumables (such as snacks, cosmetics, etc.) and non-consumables (clothes, blankets, dolls, etc.). Each category must separately reach 5,000 yen (before tax) to qualify for a refund, so after shopping, you need to bring the items back to the tax refund counter for staff inspection.

▲ Luggage storage area next to the tax refund counter.

In addition to providing tax refund services, the tax refund counter at Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai also offers luggage storage and courier services through Sagawa Express. Luggage storage costs 800 yen per item for one day. Travelers with a lot of luggage can also send their luggage to Narita Airport or Haneda Airport from here, avoiding the hassle of carrying heavy bags.

Tax Refund Counter at Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai

Service Hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Location: Near the Yaesu North Exit of Tokyo Station, a 2-minute walk, or at the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen "Nihonbashi Exit"—exit the ticket gate and you’ll see it
Other: Chinese-speaking staff available

▲ The closest exit to the tax refund counter at Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai is the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen "Nihonbashi Exit"—exit the ticket gate and you’re there.

▲ The tax refund counter at the must-visit "Tokyo Station Yaesu Ichiban-gai" in Tokyo. (Photo by reporter Tsai Wen-jun)