Buying a used iPhone tax-free in Akihabara
HOSHIMORI RINKA · 3810 PRODUCTIONI check used iPhone prices at IOSYS every single day, so here's the short version: bring your passport, buy a unit marked ○, and keep the receipt with the phone until you fly home.
LIVE
Today's lowest prices at IOSYS
¥172,800iPhone 17 Pro 256GB¥127,800iPhone 16 Pro 128GB¥104,800iPhone 16 128GB¥99,800iPhone 15 Pro 128GB¥74,800iPhone 15 128GB¥52,800iPhone 14 128GB¥21,800iPhone SE (3rd gen) 64GB¥42,800iPhone 13 128GB
Lowest IOSYS online price for any grade, tax included. All models and grades →
RULES
Tax-free: what changes on November 1, 2026
Until Oct 31, 2026
- Pay the tax-free price at the shop.
- Show your original passport with the landing stamp or sticker. If you came through an automated gate, ask immigration for a stamp.
- For foreign visitors on a temporary visitor status who entered Japan less than 6 months ago.
- At least ¥5,000 before tax at one shop on one day.
From Nov 1, 2026 (refund method)
- Pay the price including tax at the shop.
- Leave Japan within 90 days. Before security, scan your passport at the tax-free kiosk. GREEN means done; RED means customs wants to see the goods.
- The shop refunds the tax afterwards: bank transfer, card, app or cash at the airport, depending on the shop.
- Still at least ¥5,000 before tax.
Keep the phone and its receipt together. Customs checks each receipt as a unit. If anything on a receipt is missing when you leave, nothing on that receipt is refunded.
Can I use it during my trip? Yes. A phone is not a "consumable", so you can set it up and use it in Japan, as long as you take it with you when you leave (National Tax Agency Q&A, Q39).
SHOPS
Where to buy
| Shop | Tax-free | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IOSYS Akiba Chuo-doriイオシス アキバ中央通店📍Map | ✔ Yes | 11:00–20:00 | 3-14-9 Sotokanda. 2 min from Suehirocho. Alipay and WeChat Pay accepted |
| IOSYS Roji Omoteアキバ路地オモテ店📍Map | ✔ Yes | 11:00–19:30 (Fri–Sat to 20:00) | 1-10-2 Sotokanda. 4 min from Akihabara Station |
| IOSYS Roji Ura Junk路地裏ジャンク店📍Map | ✔ Yes | 11:00–19:30 (Fri–Sat to 20:00) | Mostly junk-grade devices. For experts |
| Janpara Akihabara main storeじゃんぱら📍Map | ✔ Yes | 11:00–19:30 | 4-4-9 Sotokanda. Tax-free page in English |
Tax-free status was checked on each shop's own page. Other shops may offer it too — ask at the counter.
CHECK
Read the tag before you buy
- SIM-free. Look for SIMフリー or SIMロック解除済. SIM locks were banned only for models released from October 2021 on, so an older model can still be locked.
- Network restriction ○. ネットワーク利用制限 ○ = paid off. ▲ = instalments still owed; it can be blocked later. × = blocked in Japan. Buy ○ only. (Our price data already excludes ▲ and × units.)
- Battery. Check the battery health on the tag. Our price data excludes units under 80%.
- Bands. Find the model number (Settings › General › About) on apple.com/iphone/cellular and compare with your home carrier.
- Shutter sound. Japan-model iPhones are widely reported to play a camera shutter sound in Japan that can't be muted. Apple doesn't document this, so ask the shop if it matters to you.
- Warranty. IOSYS gives a 3-month warranty on used iPhones. After you go home, support is only through the WorldShopping proxy service.
Checked 2026-09-30 on: National Tax Agency (refund method Q&A), Japan Tourism Agency tax-free pages and English leaflet, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (SIM unlock rules), IOSYS and Janpara store pages, Apple. General information, not tax advice. Hours and prices change — check each shop's own page before you go.