If you live and pay taxes in Japan, you may have heard of Furusato Nozei (ふるさと納税), also known as the Hometown Tax Donation Program. This unique system allows taxpayers to donate to local municipalities across Japan and, in return, receive both tax deductions and thank-you gifts such as premium wagyu beef, fresh seafood, sake, or regional crafts.

Introduced in 2008, the program was designed to support rural areas suffering from depopulation and declining revenue. Today, it has grown into a popular tax-saving method that lets residents enjoy Japan’s regional specialties while lowering their tax burden.

💡 Advantages of Furusato Nozei for Taxpayers

💰 Tax Savings

The biggest benefit is the income tax and residence tax deduction. By donating, you can deduct the amount from your taxes.
👉 Example: Average IT engineer in Japan can donate at least ¥100,000 to their tax deduction (assuming no dependents or other deductions), and receive premium regional gifts in return.

🎁 Regional Gifts

Municipalities offer unique “返礼品” (thank-you gifts), including seasonal fruits, rice, wagyu beef, seafood, sake, and even travel vouchers. It’s a win-win: support local communities while receiving premium products.

🌏 Freedom of Choice

You don’t need to donate to your registered hometown — you can choose any municipality in Japan. Many taxpayers select regions known for foods, drinks, or experiences they love.

🛒 Amazon Furusato Nozei – Donate Easily with Your Amazon Account

Did you know you can now use Amazon Japan for your Furusato Nozei donations?

Amazon’s platform makes it incredibly convenient to browse municipalities and gifts. With Amazon, you can:

1. 🔍 Search thousands of gifts using familiar filters.
2. 💳 Pay with saved payment methods or gift cards.
3. 📦 Track donations in your order history.
4. 🧾 Download official receipts for tax deductions.
5. 🎁 Earn Amazon Points on some donations.

👉 Click here to explore Amazon Furusato Nozei gifts

This makes Amazon one of the easiest ways to participate, especially if you already shop there.

📅 How and When to Use Furusato Nozei

1. Donation Period: Anytime during the year.
2. Deadline: December 31 (donations must be completed by then for that year’s tax deduction).

📝 How to Apply

【ふるさと納税】 ＼レビューキャンペーン実施中！／ 厚切り牛タン塩味 1kg(500g×2パック) ≪ すぐ届く！スピード発送！ or 選べる配送時期≫ 牛肉 肉 焼肉 BBQ たんもと たんなか 塩牛タン 冷凍 真空パック 味付け肉 一番人気 塩味 お取り寄せ 岩手県 花巻市 価格：15,000円（税込、送料無料) (2025/9/2時点) 楽天で購入

1. Choose a donation portal (e.g., Amazon or Rakuten Furusato Nozei).
2. Select a municipality and gift.
3. Donate online via credit card or other payment methods.
4. Then, apply for tax benefits, One-Stop Special Exception, online! Yup, you heard that right! online!
   1. mypage
   2. furumado

🔑 Tips for Maximizing Benefits

1. Know Your Maximum Limit: Use donation calculators to estimate your maximum deduction.
2. Donate Early: Popular gifts sell out in December.

🔎 Amazon vs. Rakuten Furusato Nozei: Which is Better?

✅ Recommendation:

1. Use Amazon for simplicity and speed.
2. Use Rakuten if you want to maximize points.
3. Many taxpayers use both for the best benefits.

👉 Try Amazon Furusato Nozei today

📝 One-Stop Application for Furusato Nozei (ワンストップ特例制度)

The One-Stop Special Exception (ワンストップ特例制度) is a simplified system that allows Furusato Nozei donors to skip filing a tax return (確定申告). Instead, you just send a simple application form to each municipality you donated to.

This is highly recommended for most people, especially salaried workers who don’t normally file a tax return in Japan.

✅ Who Can Use the One-Stop Application?

1. You are a resident taxpayer in Japan.
2. You donate to five or fewer municipalities per year.
3. You are not self-employed (since self-employed taxpayers usually need to file a tax return anyway).

👉 If you meet these conditions, the One-Stop system is the fastest and easiest way to get your Furusato Nozei deductions.

【ふるさと納税】 あとからセレクト 【ふるさとギフト】 寄附1,000円〜30万円相当 / あとから選べる ギフト さくらんぼ ラ・フランス 西洋梨 フルーツ お米 山形県 東根市 価格：1,000円～（税込、送料無料) (2025/9/1時点) 楽天で購入

📌 How to Fill Out the One-Stop Application Form

When you make a Furusato Nozei donation, the municipality will send you:

1. 寄附金受領証明書 (Donation Receipt)
2. One-Stop Application Form

Steps:

1. Fill in your personal details (name, address, date of birth, My Number).
2. Attach copies of your My Number card (both front & back) or My Number notification card + official ID (e.g., driver’s license).
3. Sign and date the form.
4. Mail the form back to the municipality before January 10 of the following year.

👉 Pro tip: Amazon and Rakuten let you request the One-Stop form automatically when making your donation. Just check the box, and the municipality will send it to you.

👉 Pro tip: It can be done online in just a few steps, without the hassle of filing a full tax return!

🏆 Why Use the One-Stop Application?

1. No need to file a tax return — perfect for busy professionals.
2. Simple paperwork — just one short form per municipality.
3. Automatic deduction — your residence tax is reduced directly in the following year.

⚠️ Important: If you forget to send the One-Stop form or donate to more than 5 municipalities, you’ll need to file a tax return instead.

【ふるさと納税】あとからセレクト【ふるさとギフト】 - 1万円〜5万円 宮崎牛/牛肉/豚肉/鶏肉/お惣菜/おかず/クラフトジン/日本酒/出汁/うどん/地鶏/訳あり/スイーツ 後から選べる ゆっくり選ぶ あとから選べる返礼品 送料無料【宮崎県木城町】 価格：10,000円～（税込、送料無料) (2025/9/1時点) 楽天で購入

💡 Tips to Maximize Your Tax Benefits

1. Use multiple platforms (Amazon, Rakuten) for more options.
2. Time your donations to coincide with seasonal products (e.g., summer fruit, winter crab).

⏰ Furusato Nozei Deadline: Don’t Miss December 31

Furusato Nozei is more than a tax-saving system — it’s a way to support Japan’s local communities while enjoying premium products. To qualify for this year’s deduction, donations must be made by December 31.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Furusato Nozei

1. What is Furusato Nozei?
   A system where taxpayers donate to municipalities and receive tax deductions plus thank-you gifts.
2. Who can use it?
   Anyone who pays income or residence tax in Japan, including foreigners.
3. How much can I donate?
   No upper limit, but only donations within your tax cap are fully deductible.
4. Do I need to file taxes?
   1. No, if you donate to ≤5 municipalities (One-Stop Exception).
   2. Yes, if you donate to ≥6 municipalities.
5. What’s the deadline?
   December 31 each year.
6. What gifts can I get?
   Wagyu beef, seafood, fruits, rice, sake, craft beer, travel vouchers, and more.

🎯 Conclusion: Don’t Miss Out on Furusato Nozei Benefits

Furusato Nozei is one of the smartest financial strategies in Japan. By donating before December 31, you can:

1. ✅ Save money on taxes.
2. ✅ Support local communities.
3. ✅ Enjoy premium regional gifts.

👉 Ready to get started?
The easiest way is through Amazon, where you can donate in just a few clicks.
👉 Start your Furusato Nozei donation on Amazon today

Don’t wait for the year-end rush — secure your gifts and maximize your tax savings now!