Are you living in Japan and want to save money on your taxes while receiving incredible local products like A5 Wagyu beef, Hokkaido crab, or fresh Japanese fruit?
Then you need to know about Furusato Nozei (ใตใใใจ็ด็จ)โJapanโs hometown tax donation system that lets you support rural areas while earning a major tax deduction and enjoying premium thank-you gifts.
This guide from Go with Linh will walk you through everything you need to know in 2025: how it works, how to file, where to donate, and which gifts are worth it.
๐ What Is Furusato Nozei?
Furusato Nozei, or “hometown tax,” is a program that allows anyone living in Japan to donate to local municipalitiesโusually small towns or rural areasโand receive a tax deduction in return.
As a thank-you, you receive local products like:
- Premium wagyu beef
- Fresh seafood from Hokkaido
- Seasonal fruit like Shine Muscat or Yubari melon
- Japanese rice, miso, sake
- Even appliances and gift vouchers
๐ก How Does Furusato Nozei Work?
Here’s a quick breakdown of how Furusato Nozei works in 2025:
๐ช 1. Donate to a Municipality
Use a Furusato Nozei platform (like Rakuten or Furunavi) to make a donation.
๐ 2. Receive่ฟ็คผๅ (Gifts)
You get a “thank-you gift” worth around 30% of your donation value.
๐ 3. Claim Tax Deduction
The government deducts your donation (minus ยฅ2,000) from your resident and income tax the following year.
โ Example: Donate ยฅ30,000 โ Get ~ยฅ9,000 worth of gifts โ Receive a ยฅ28,000 tax deduction.
๐ Is Furusato Nozei Only for Japanese Citizens?
No! Foreigners living in Japan (on working visas, PR, or long-term residence) can use Furusato Nozei as long as they pay resident tax (ไฝๆฐ็จ).
Many English-speaking expats in Japan are surprised to learn this and miss out on huge tax savings each year.
๐ Where to Donate: Best Furusato Nozei Platforms in 2025
Here are the top platforms you can useโeach with English-friendly features and thousands of gift options:
| Platform | Features | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Furusato Nozei | Earn Rakuten Points on donations | Check Rakuten Furusato Nozei |
| Furunavi (ใตใใชใณ) | Clean UI, many electronics gifts | Explore Furunavi Gifts |
| SatoFuru (ใใจใตใ) | Great seafood selection | Shop SatoFuru |
| Furusato Choice | Japanโs largest database | Try Furusato Choice |
๐งฎ How Much Can You Donate? (And Deduct?)
Your max donation depends on your annual income and family structure.
Example:
- Single person earning ยฅ5,000,000/year = up to ยฅ60,000 donation
- Married with two kids = more than ยฅ70,000 possible
๐ก Use a deduction simulator (most platforms offer one):
๐ย Estimate Your Deduction Limit Here
๐งพ How to Claim the Tax Deduction
You have two options depending on your tax filing situation:
Option 1: One-Stop Exception (ใฏใณในใใใ็นไพๅถๅบฆ)
- No need to file taxes
- Only available if you donate toย 5 or fewer municipalities
- Must submit the special form after each donation
Option 2: Tax Return (็ขบๅฎ็ณๅ / Kakutei Shinkoku)
- Needed if you’re self-employed or donate to 6+ municipalities
- File your donations in next yearโs return (FebโMar)
๐ฑ Best Furusato Nozei่ฟ็คผๅ in 2025
Looking for the most popular Furusato Nozei gifts this year? Here are top categories youโll want to browse:
| Category | Sample | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Wagyu Beef | A5 Miyazaki or Saga beef set | Browse Wagyu Gifts |
| Seafood | Hokkaido snow crab or scallops, Salmon, Shrimp | View Seafood Options |
| Fruit | Yamagata Shine Muscat, Yubari melon, Apple, Peach | Get Fruit Gifts |
| Rice | Niigata or Akita Koshihikari (10kg+) | Shop Japanese Rice |
| Appliances | Rice cookers, toasters, heaters, etc., | Explore Electronics |
โฐ When to Donate?
The best time to donate is anytime, but most people do it before December 31 to apply the deduction to the current year.
๐ก Pro Tip: Donating early = faster delivery + fewer crowds on the platforms.
โ Final Checklist for Using Furusato Nozei in 2025
- ย Calculate your deduction limit
- ย Choose a donation platform
- ย Select gifts and complete donations
- ย Submit One-Stop forms or prepare for tax filing
- ย Enjoy your่ฟ็คผๅ and your tax refund!
๐ Ready to Start? Get the Most Out of Living in Japan
Donโt miss out on free gifts and tax savings in Japan. Furusato Nozei is one of the easiest ways to make your money go further, enjoy premium Japanese products, and support rural communities.
๐ Start exploring gifts today:
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