We compared the regular prices on Issey Miyake’s own online shops in Japan, the US, the UK and Europe in October 2026: 1,073 items sold in both Japan and the US, across Issey Miyake, Pleats Please, Bao Bao, Homme Plissé, me and A-POC ABLE. Every one was at least 15% cheaper in Japan for US shoppers, after sales tax at home and Japan’s tax refund. The typical (median) saving was 55%. For UK shoppers (668 items in both) it was 51%.
How much you save, by country
Typical saving for shoppers who live in:
| Shopping in | US | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 55% | 51% |
| Italy (Milan) | 21% | 13% |
| France (Paris) | 20% | 12% |
| UK | 10% | – |
Regular prices from Issey Miyake’s online shops in October 2026 (its European shop stands for Paris and Milan), converted at the European Central Bank’s rates of 16 October 2026. US and Canadian prices include the average sales tax (7.53% and 12.3%), as the app does.
Two examples
The Pleats Please BASICS cardigan (PP00JO106) was ¥37,400 in Japan and US$395 in the US, about US$425 with sales tax. After the tax refund, the Japanese one worked out at about US$221: 48% less. A UK shopper pays £300 at home and about £165 in Japan (45% less).
The A-POC ABLE TYPE-O 003-1 top (AT68FJ203) was ¥79,200 in Japan and US$1,060 in the US: 59% less for a US shopper, 61% for a UK shopper (£895 at home).
Why the code on the tag can differ
Issey Miyake’s codes carry a two-digit region number after the first two letters, so the same piece can have a different code in Japan and the US (A-POC ABLE’s TYPE-O 002 is AT53FA242 in Japan and AT58FA242 in the US). We match the rest of the code and the name, and the app does the same when you scan.
Tax-free shopping in Japan from 1 November 2026
- Japanese prices include 10% consumption tax. Visitors can get it back.
- The minimum is ¥5,000 before tax (about ¥5,500 on the tag) in one shop, on one day.
- From 1 November 2026 you pay the tax in the shop and get it back afterwards. Before you check any bags, go to a tax-free kiosk or the customs counter in departures with your passport and the goods.
- The shop refunds you once customs confirms: by card, bank transfer, app or cash, depending on the shop.
- Leave Japan within 90 days of buying.
In a shop right now? Scan the tag and see its price in 11 countries, in your own currency, with the tax refund taken off. Not there yet? Plan your trip: save what you want and see what the whole list saves you before you fly.