How tax-free works ?

Hello

How can i get tax-free shopping in japan?

Is it true that i can get max 5% discount, and only if i buy over 10000 yen?

How does it work? I present passport at the shop and they just deduct 5% of the price. That is all?

Thanks!

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ps. I read this on internet:

Overseas visitors in Japan with temporary status who spend more than 10,001yen on any given day in one shop are entitled to a refund of the 5% consumption tax. Only department stores and specialty shops used to dealing with foreign tourists offer the refund, and clients must show their passports. No refund is granted for cosmetics, food, alcohol, cigarettes, medicine, film and batteries, which include the consumption tax in their price tag.

Is it true that i can get max 5% discount, and only if i buy over 10000 yen?

And only if you are purchasing from stores that are authorized to sell duty free (mainly large department stores and electronics chains in tourist areas). You can usually tell because they will advertise that they are a duty free store.

How does it work? I present passport at the shop and they just deduct 5% of the price. That is all?

Yes. The deduction is made at the time of purchase, and the total has to be over 10000 yen on a single receipt.

With my experience, you pay the 5% tax first like anyone else then you need to go to a customer service counter, show your passport and fill out a form. Only then they will return the tax.

With my experience, you pay the 5% tax first like anyone else then you need to go to a customer service counter, show your passport and fill out a form. Only then they will return the tax

I guess that depends on the size of the store? I think I've seen that sort of system at Yodobashi Camera etc.

When I purchased a lens at Obayashi Camera in Osaka they did the transaction all in one so I only had to pay the tax-free price.