Tokyo practical info: free museum days, tax-free, lost passport and phrases

Free entry ¹¹

Museums and sights that are free, always or on certain days. From each place’s official page.

ParkHama-rikyu Gardens
Greenery Day (4 May) and Tokyo Citizens Day (1 October)
Source: tokyo-park.or.jp
ParkRikugien Gardens
Greenery Day (4 May) and Tokyo Citizens Day (1 October)
Source: tokyo-park.or.jp
ParkKoishikawa Korakuen
Greenery Day (4 May) and Tokyo Citizens Day (1 October)
Source: tokyo-park.or.jp
ParkKiyosumi Garden
Greenery Day (4 May) and Tokyo Citizens Day (1 October)
Source: tokyo-park.or.jp
ParkKyu-Furukawa Gardens
Greenery Day (4 May) and Tokyo Citizens Day (1 October)
Source: tokyo-park.or.jp
PalaceKyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens
Greenery Day (4 May) and Tokyo Citizens Day (1 October)
Source: tokyo-park.or.jp
ParkMukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens
Greenery Day (4 May) and Tokyo Citizens Day (1 October)
Source: tokyo-park.or.jp
ParkKyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens
Greenery Day (4 May) and Tokyo Citizens Day (1 October)
Source: tokyo-park.or.jp
ParkTonogayato Garden
Greenery Day (4 May) and Tokyo Citizens Day (1 October)
Source: tokyo-park.or.jp
MuseumNational Museum of Western Art
Kawasaki Free Sunday (in principle the 2nd Sunday monthly), International Museum Day (18 May) and Culture Day (3 November); collection galleries only
Source: nmwa.go.jp
MuseumNational Museum of Nature and Science
International Museum Day (18 May) and Culture Day (3 November); permanent exhibitions only
Source: kahaku.go.jp

Tax-free shopping

Until 31 October 2026, tax-free shops take the 10% consumption tax off at the till when you show your passport. From 1 November 2026 Japan switches to a refund system: you pay the full price, customs confirms at departure that you are taking the goods out, and the shop then refunds the tax. For visitors who are not resident in Japan.

VAT rate: 10%
Minimum purchase: JPY 5,000 or more, excluding tax. From 1 November 2026 the separate limits for consumables (up to JPY 500,000, sealed packaging) end.
Time limit: From 1 November 2026: have customs confirm the goods when you leave Japan, within 90 days of purchase. All items of one purchase must be with you, or none of them is confirmed.
Where to get it approved: Customs when you leave Japan (airport or port).

Step by step

Shop at a tax-free shop and show your passport when you pay.
Until 31 October 2026 the tax is taken off at the till. For purchases from 1 November 2026 you pay the price with tax.
When you leave Japan, show your passport and the goods to customs.
From November 2026: after customs confirms, the shop refunds the tax to you.

Official sources: nta.go.jp, nta.go.jp

Lost passport

If your passport is lost or stolen, here is what to do.

If you are a citizen of another country

Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in this city. Your foreign ministry’s website lists its address.

If you are a Turkish citizen

Book an appointment with the Turkish mission in this city at konsolosluk.gov.tr and go in person.
If you need to get home, ask for a temporary passport. It is free, valid for one trip to Türkiye or to the country you live in, and usually valid for one month.
Bring your Turkish ID card (if it is lost too, a photo document such as a driving licence), a biometric photo 50 x 60 mm taken in the last six months, and your ticket home.
For a lost passport you do not need a police report.
The temporary passport ends with that trip. Apply for a new passport in Türkiye or at the mission in the country you live in.

Turkish mission here

Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Tokyo

2-33-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Call: +81 3 6439 5700

Out of hours: +81 70 1456 9122

[email protected]

Website · Book an appointment

Consular call centre of the Turkish foreign ministry, open 24/7: +90 312 292 29 29

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, konsolosluk.gov.tr (Passport: lost passport, temporary passport).