NorthWest WaWhat changed for Japan trips in 2026
Japan's rules for visitors shifted several times this year, and the biggest change starts on Nov 1. On this free one-page printable, each change has its start date and the official source it came from. Print it, save it to your phone, or share it with whoever you're travelling with.
Inside the sheet
- Tax-free shopping becomes a refund from Nov 1, 2026. You pay tax at the till, then get it back after a customs check at the airport, before you check your bags.
- The ¥5,000 rule, the 90-day window and the receipt rule. If one item from a receipt is missing, nothing on that receipt is refunded.
- Departure tax is now ¥3,000 (from Jul 1, 2026), usually included in your airfare.
- New power bank rules on Japan's domestic flights (from Apr 24, 2026): up to 2 per person, and no charging on board.
- Kyoto's higher accommodation tax (from Mar 1, 2026), with the full rate table.
- Himeji Castle admission is ¥2,500 for adult visitors (from Mar 1, 2026), plus what hasn't changed for Canadians.
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Free to download, print and share. No email needed.
Checked on Oct 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Our founders lived in Japan. Every plan is checked against current official sources.
Sources
Every item on the sheet comes from an official page. Dates are the dates each change started.
- Tax-free refund method (from Nov 1, 2026) — Japan Tourism Agency traveller page; goods overview via JNTO; refund method examples — National Tax Agency; Canada news cross-check — JNTO Canada news
- Departure tax ¥3,000 (from Jul 1, 2026) — NTA English; NTA Japanese (No.7195); JTA leaflet (PDF)
- Power banks on domestic flights (from Apr 24, 2026) — MLIT press release; MLIT passenger leaflet (PDF); JAL domestic; ANA domestic
- Kyoto accommodation tax (from Mar 1, 2026) — City of Kyoto FAQ
- Himeji Castle admission (from Mar 1, 2026) — City of Himeji; Visit Himeji
- Canadians still visa-free up to 90 days — MOFA; Travel.gc.ca
- Visit Japan Web — vjw.digital.go.jp