[Japan - Travel & Shop] Montbell Tax-Free Tips
- Jet So
- Jan 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Montbell, a popular Japanese outdoor brand, offers great quality at affordable prices! While you can find stores in the U.S. and Switzerland, and even order from their Japanese website to ship internationally, the prices in Japan are just too good to miss.
Montbell has over 120 stores across Japan, but many of them don’t offer tax-free shopping. Today, I’m here to share some tips on how to score those sweet tax-free deals at Montbell in Japan!
Tax-Free Stores
Montbell’s direct stores generally don’t offer tax-free shopping, so you’ll need to head to department stores or outlets to enjoy the tax exemption. When doing the tax-free process, you’ll usually need to visit the tax-free service counter at these department stores or outlets.
Do note that tax-free service counters might close earlier than the mall/outlet itself, so make sure to check their hours in advance – don’t leave it until the last minute!
According to Montbell’s official website (よくある質問 | Montbell Japan), here are 9 locations that offer tax-free shopping (+1 according to readers):
Hokkaido - Sapporo Kita Hiroshi Store (Mitsui Outlet)
Show your same-day receipt and passport at the tax-free counter and use the PIE VAT app for your refund.
A 1.5% tax refund service fee applies.
Tokyo - Ikebukuro Tobu Store
Ikebukuro Tobu is one of the few department stores that doesn’t charge a tax refund service fee.
In addition to tax-free shopping, you can also get a 5% discount coupon (you’ll need to show your passport to claim it).
Payment is by cash only (Japanese Yen); credit cards are not accepted.
Redemption location: 2F, Tax-Free Service Counter.
Chiba - Kisarazu Store (Mitsui Outlet)
Show your same-day receipt and passport at the tax-free counter and use the PIE VAT app for your refund.
A 1.5% tax refund service fee applies.
Mie - Nagashima Store (Mitsui Outlet)
Show your same-day receipt and passport at the tax-free counter and use the PIE VAT app for your refund.
A 1.5% tax refund service fee applies.
Osaka - Osaka Kadoma Store (Mitsui Outlet)
Show your same-day receipt and passport at the tax-free counter and use the PIE VAT app for your refund.
A 1.5% tax refund service fee applies.
Osaka - Lalaport EXPOCITY Store
Show your same-day receipt and passport at the tax-free counter and use the PIE VAT app for your refund.
A 1.5% tax refund service fee applies.
Osaka - Namba CITY Store
The tax-free counter is located at B2F of the Namba CITY main building.
A tax refund service fee of 1.55% to 2.1% applies.
Fukuoka - Kokura Store
No tax refund service fee.
Floor Guide | 小倉店 | 井筒屋 IZUTSUYA
Kumamoto - Kumamoto Sakuramachi Store
The website doesn’t specify, but it’s said that the tax refund service fee is 2%.
Hyogo - Arima Onsen Store
The tax refund service fee is unclear.
This store is on the smaller side.
Non-Tax-Free Stores, but Discount Coupons Available
Okinawa - AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom
Get a 5% off Happy Coupon / JPY 500 discount coupon (valid until ~2026/02/28).
To claim it, show the barcode/QR code to the service center staff.
More details here: [Coupon | AEON JAPAN, AEON MALL Discount Coupon]
Tax refund service fee: 1.5%.
And that’s the full guide for Montbell’s duty-free shopping spots in Japan! If you're heading to Japan and want to snag some high-quality outdoor gear at a great price, now you know where to go.
Enjoy shopping, and don’t forget your passport for those sweet tax-free savings!
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