Money & Cards
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Last updated: June 11, 2026
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"I know Furusato Nozei is a great deal, but the websites are all in Japanese and look complicated..." "The Rakuten page has too much text, I don't know where to click..."
Are you losing out on tens of thousands of yen every year because of this? Actually, did you know that you can do Furusato Nozei on Amazon?
With Amazon, no new account registration is required. You can complete it just by paying with your credit card, exactly like your usual shopping. In this article, I will introduce the easiest way to do "Amazon Furusato Nozei" and recommend return gifts for foreign residents.
⚠️ The deadline is December 31st, 23
.In communities like Reddit (r/JapanLife), many foreigners say they are "Team Amazon over Rakuten."
| Feature | Amazon Furusato | Rakuten Furusato |
|---|---|---|
| Account | Existing Account OK | New Registration Required |
| UI (Usability) | Simple | Cluttered |
| English Support | Works perfectly with browser translation | Many images with text (untranslatable) |
| Points | 1% - 2.5% | Up to 15% or more |
Voice from Reddit: "Rakuten is a nightmare of flashing banners. I use Amazon purely because I can actually find the checkout button."
Depending on your annual income, there is a limit (cap) on how much you can donate. If you exceed this, you lose money.
It is exactly the same as normal shopping. However, if you want to use the "One-Stop Exception System," please check the box for "Request One-Stop Exception Application Form" on the order screen.
Pay with a credit card. Later, you will receive an envelope from the municipality. Send it back with a copy of your My Number Card, and you are done. Tax Return is not required.
For those who don't know what to choose, we have selected items popular in the Expat community.
Having heavy rice delivered to your door is the best.
"Wagyu," which is too expensive to buy at supermarkets, is effectively ¥2,000 with Furusato Nozei.
For the greedy ones who use Amazon but also want points. If you use Rakuten Card for payment, you can earn 1% Rakuten Points even on Amazon.
With this, it is profitable enough without using Rakuten's complicated site.
👉 Don't have a Rakuten Card yet? Create one with no annual fee
On December 31st, traffic spikes, creating risks of server crashes or credit card payments not processing in time. Also, the One-Stop Exception application form might arrive late, missing the return deadline of January 10th.
If you order right now, you can still make it.
Go to Amazon Furusato Nozei
Get Japanese specialties for effectively ¥2,000. Deadline approaching!
Related money task
This internal guide does not decide individual eligibility; it helps organize document prep and software options.
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![[2026 Comparison] Rakuten Point vs V Point vs d POINT](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fs5zbl9nu%2Fproduction%2F64764f87e0bd63725773de1998f35969485517e2-1200x630.jpg%3Fauto%3Dformat%26q%3D72%26fit%3Dmax%26w%3D640&w=3840&q=75)
A: Yes. Amazon Japan has an Amazon Furusato Nozei feature (Amazon ふるさと納税) allowing donations to municipalities and receiving local product gifts, similar to Rakuten and Furusato Choice. Prime members can earn Amazon Points on donations.
A: Advantages of Amazon Furusato Nozei: familiar interface for Amazon users, Prime points on donations, convenient delivery tracking via the standard Amazon logistics system. Disadvantage: point returns and campaign promotions are typically lower than Rakuten during Rakuten SPU campaigns.
A: Amazon Furusato Nozei is available year-round. The service runs continuously with thousands of municipalities and products listed. Campaign promotions (bonus points, special gift sets) appear around Amazon Prime Day (July) and the end-of-year period (November–December).
A: A My Number is required for the ワンストップ特例 (One-Stop Exception) forms. If you file a regular 確定申告 instead, My Number is still entered on the tax return. You don't need My Number to make the donation itself — only for the tax deduction paperwork afterward.
A: Yes. Amazon Japan accepts international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) for all purchases including furusato nozei. Your card issuer's foreign transaction fees may apply. Using an Amazon Japan-issued credit card avoids foreign fees and earns additional Amazon Points.
CEO / Native Japanese Expert
Updated on: June 11, 2026
※ The information in this article is accurate as of the time of writing. Laws and regulations may change, so please always check official sources for the latest information. We assume no liability for any damages resulting from the content of this article.
