Japan's new tax-free shopping system for foreign visitors takes effect today, 1 November. Until now, eligible shoppers at designated tax-free stores paid the tax-exclusive price at the counter. For purchases from today, they pay the tax-inclusive price, complete a customs confirmation when leaving Japan, and are then refunded the consumption tax by the shop or its refund agent.

For Hong Kong judoka who travel to Japan to train, attend Kodokan courses or compete, the change matters for judogi, belts and souvenirs. A judogi usually goes into checked baggage, and once it is checked in without the refund procedure completed, the refund can be lost.

The one thing to remember: your passport. Shops need it to register the tax-free purchase, and customs need it again, with the goods, at departure. Without it neither step can be completed.

The mechanics: you pay in full at the shop, show your passport and register the purchase as before. The qualifying total must be at least 5,000 yen excluding tax, per store per day, and not every shop is a tax-free store, so check before buying.

You must leave Japan within 90 days and complete the confirmation: present your passport at a tax-free procedure terminal at an airport or seaport. Do this before checking in luggage, and be able to show the goods. A green result means the customs step is complete; a red result means taking the goods to a customs inspection area.

The refund is not always paid at the airport. The shop or its agent handles it, possibly by bank transfer, card, app or cash at a designated point; the method and timing come from the shop.

Seven airports — Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha — have the terminals, and the same confirmation can be completed through Visit Japan Web within designated Wi-Fi areas of the international departure lobbies. Anyone asked to show goods still goes to customs. Purchases made on or before 31 October follow the old system; the new rules do not convert earlier purchases into refunds.

Practical notes for buying a judogi

  • Refund first, check in second. Complete the customs confirmation with the goods in hand; checked baggage cannot be retrieved for this.
  • Keep one receipt's goods together. The check is per transaction; one missing item can put the whole transaction at risk.
  • Do not post tax-free goods home yourself. The separate-shipment arrangement for travellers ended on 1 April 2025. Ask the shop about its own qualifying delivery service instead.
  • Allow extra time. Inspecting a full judogi, belt and accessories takes longer than scanning a passport.
  • Do not assume the refund is automatic. If you plan to wear a new judogi in Japan, confirm the shop and customs requirements so the qualifying goods can still be shown at departure.

Four places to buy a judogi in Tokyo

1. MIZUNO TOKYO, Kanda-Ogawamachi

Mizuno's Tokyo flagship sits in the Kanda-Ogawamachi sporting goods district, with judo equipment on the fourth floor. It is the place to compare sizes, cuts and competition judogi. Kodokan members get 20% off judo items at MIZUNO TOKYO; show the card on the fourth floor.

Open in Google Maps

  • Address: 3-1 Kanda-Ogawamachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0052
  • Phone: 03-3233-7000 (sales floor information)
  • Hours: 11:00–20:00; closures as announced by the store
  • Access: about 4 minutes from Shin-Ochanomizu (B5/B7) or Ogawamachi (B5); about 8 minutes from JR Ochanomizu

2. The Kodokan shop, relocated in July

The Kodokan's official shop moved on 1 July 2026 to the main building, behind the statue of Jigoro Kano, next to the old site. Visitors should not look for it in the old location; older pages still point to the annex. It handles judogi, belts and KUSAKURA items, and stocks souvenirs including judogi mascots, Kano-themed goods, stickers, badges, keyrings, T-shirts and books; in-store availability is up to the shop.

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  • Address: 1-16-30 Kasuga, Bunkyo, Tokyo 112-0003
  • New location: main building, behind the Kano statue (from 1 July 2026)
  • Phone: 03-3812-8184
  • Hours: notices list 12:00–18:00 Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays and holidays; call ahead after the move
  • Access: about 1 minute from Kasuga (A1/A2); about 3 minutes from Korakuen

3. KUSAKURA World Shop, Hongo

Kusakura was founded in 1918 and still weaves and sews judogi in Kashiwara, Osaka. Its Hongo shop keeps size samples to try, can add name embroidery (with a possible wait), and sometimes has special or outlet items; check stock before travelling.

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  • Address: COA Building 2F, 1-13-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033
  • Hours: 10:00–18:00
  • Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays, plus seasonal breaks
  • Phone: 070-6476-9074
  • Website: kusakura.jp

4. Suidobashi Shokai, a Taisho-era budo shop

Suidobashi Shokai in Hongo was featured on TV Tokyo's programme on 3 May 2003, which dated its founding to the early Taisho era, around the early 1910s, and noted its own judogi making and name embroidery. It sells judo, karate, kendo, aikido and iaido equipment, including Kusakura judogi, belts and embroidery.

Open in Google Maps

  • Address: 1-3-15 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033
  • Phone: 03-3811-5985
  • Hours: not listed in the directory; call before travelling
  • Access: near the east exit of JR Suidobashi

Putting the day together

Combine the relocated Kodokan shop with a visit to the Kodokan, then walk to the Kusakura World Shop and Suidobashi Shokai to compare. Mizuno means a separate trip to Kanda-Ogawamachi. Register the purchases with your passport, and on departure day complete the refund with the goods in hand before checking in.

Sources