Furusato Nōzei, made understandable
Furusato nōzei (ふるさと納税) is Japan’s “hometown tax” donation system. Donate to a local government, get a thank-you gift, and most of your donation can come back as a deduction on your resident and income tax. This site explains it in your language and helps you find gifts.
Can foreign residents use it?
Yes. If you live in Japan and pay Japanese income tax and resident tax, you can generally use furusato nōzei the same way Japanese residents do. The deduction reduces taxes you would otherwise pay — it is not a cash refund — and your eligible amount depends on your income and household. Check your own situation before donating.
How it works in 4 steps
1. Check your limit
Your tax benefit has an upper limit based on your income and family situation. Donating above it simply costs more out of pocket.
2. Choose a gift
Pick a local government and a thank-you gift — meat, rice, seafood, fruit and more — that you would like to receive.
3. Donate via a portal
Complete the donation on an official portal (Rakuten Furusato Nōzei, Satofull, Furunavi, etc.). Payment always happens on the portal, not on this site.
4. Claim the deduction
Use the One-Stop Exception (ワンストップ特例) or a tax return (確定申告) so most of your donation is deducted from next year’s taxes.
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Important
This site is an independent information service and does not provide tax advice. Eligibility, deduction limits and procedures depend on your personal situation and can change. Always confirm the latest details on the official portals and with your local tax office before donating.