Ocean Teams Up with Kyoto Financial Group to Enhance Tax Refund Experience for Tourists

Ocean and Kyoto Financial Group Unite to Boost Tax Refund System

In an exciting development for the tourism industry, Ocean, based in Chuo, Tokyo, has announced a strategic partnership with the Kyoto Financial Group, specifically its subsidiary, Kyoto Credit Service. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the Ocean Tax Refund platform, which aims to enhance the shopping experience for international visitors in the historic city of Kyoto. The launch of this service will commence in September 2026, aligning with new tax laws to facilitate smoother transactions for tourists.

Background of the Partnership

As Kyoto emerges as one of the world's leading tourist destinations, the synergy between Ocean's cutting-edge tax refund technology and Kyoto Credit Service's extensive network of affiliated stores is poised to create significant benefits for both businesses and visitors. This partnership enables participating stores to adopt the Ocean Tax Refund system effortlessly, allowing for efficient compliance with the new tax regulations coming into effect in November 2026. The goal is to minimize the operational burden on businesses while simultaneously maximizing sales opportunities from international travelers.

Strategic Importance in Kyoto

Kyoto stands as a beacon for tourists worldwide, rich in history and culture, drawing millions each year. Predicted figures from city officials suggest that by 2025, over 12.68 million foreign visitors are expected, setting a historic record and illustrating a growth of more than 40% compared to 2019. Notably, foreign guests account for more than half of the city’s hotel occupants, reinforcing Kyoto’s status as a premier destination for inbound tourism.

The city is renowned for its exquisite traditional crafts and high-quality Japanese teas, making it a hotspot for shopping among travelers. While the demand for tax exemption procedures is high due to this trend, the complexity and costs associated with system implementation have deterred many businesses from offering such services. With Ocean's offering, companies can enjoy a zero initial cost model alongside a simplified process, allowing eligible customers to complete tax refund requests by merely photographing their passport and receipt.

Moreover, with a transition to a refund system officially set for November 2026, Ocean perceives this as an opportunity for businesses previously unable to engage in tax-free transactions to now enter the market confidently.

Embracing Future Prospects

According to the Japan Tourism Agency's survey on inbound consumption trends, retail purchases made by foreign tourists are expected to reach approximately JPY 2.549 trillion, accounting for about 30% of total travel expenditures in 2025. For Kyoto's retail sector, capturing this vast market will require a commitment to ensure that tax exemption services are not merely a temporary response to legislative changes, but form an integral part of ongoing operational strategies. Ocean’s partnership with Kyoto Credit Service is thus a proactive step to ensure that the implementation of tax exemptions is streamlined and continually improved long after the new policies take effect.

By fostering an environment where retail stores can attract foreign spending through tax refund processes, Ocean aims to unveil and promote the hidden charms of the region to the global community, epitomized by the mission: "Empowering a more liberated shopping experience for visitors to Japan."

Highlights of the Ocean Tax Refund System

Ocean Tax Refund offers innovative solutions tailored for the new refund-based tax exemption rules set to take effect in November 2026.

Key Features:
1. Zero Setup Costs: No initial or monthly fees required, allowing businesses to adapt without financial strain.
2. Swift Processing Times: The system allows tax refund processing in as little as 10 seconds through an advanced AI OCR function that automates data input from passport and landing permission certificates. Additionally, if integrated with the POS system, data can be captured directly at checkout.
3. User-Friendly for Tourists: International visitors need no app downloads; refunds can be requested through popular platforms such as WeChat and LINE, providing a seamless experience regardless of nationality.

For more detailed information on Ocean's services, visit Ocean Tax Refund.