Guide: Where To Buy Nintendo Switch 2 Games In Japan

If you’re visiting Japan, you can purchase a large variety of Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games from Nintendo and other third-party publishers.

In this guide, we’ll show you where you can buy these games, and some of the things you should take note before making a purchase.

Can games purchased in Japan be played on consoles from other countries?

Both the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch are region free consoles, so you can play games purchased in Japan on your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch.

This applies to both Game Cards and Game-Key Cards.

Can I play games from Japan in my own language?

Generally speaking, most Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games sold in Japan support a variety of languages, including but not limited to English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.

For first-party games published by Nintendo, you can expect them to support multiple languages. However, some third-party games released in Japan may only support Japanese due to various business decisions. If you are unsure about a game’s language support, you can check the Nintendo Switch Language Guide website, ask the store staff for more information, check the game’s official website, or check the My Nintendo Store website for Japan.

What are the benefits of buying games in Japan?

Generally speaking, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games in Japan are much cheaper than games sold in other countries.

For example, the physical version of Mario Kart World retails for 9,980 yen (USD69) in Japan after 10% consumption tax, as compared to USD79.99 in the US.

Also, keep in mind that most Japanese retailers usually sell below the suggested retail price and if you are a foreign tourist, you can get an additional tax refund, so it’s possible to get it at a very good price compared to what you pay in your home country.

What about DLC, Expansion Pass, and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack?

Generally speaking, you can purchase DLC, Expansion Pass, and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games on the Nintendo eShop of your home region, even if you purchased the game in Japan. This is the case for all first-party Nintendo titles.

However, this may not apply to select third-party games, as certain titles might have multiple publishers in different regions. If that is the case, you will need to purchase the DLC, Expansion Pass, or Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack on a Japanese region Nintendo Account.

What about Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch hardware?

For information on purchasing Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan, please read our guide here.

As for Nintendo Switch, you can purchase a Nintendo Switch console in Japan as it is region free, compatible with accounts in all regions, and supports multiple languages. However, keep in mind that warranty is limited to Japan only, so you need to be able to send your console to the repair center in Japan and receive it at a Japanese address for repairs.

Where can I purchase games in Japan?

If you’re visiting Japan on a short-term stay, you can purchase games at retailers carrying video game products across the country.

In addition, some of these retailers offer tax refund services. This means that if you spend a certain amount in a single transaction, you can receive a refund (10%) on the consumption tax paid. You will need to present your passport and identity information to the store staff in order to receive a tax refund.

The following retailers listed below have multiple locations across Japan. Please note that product selection may differ depending on location, and some locations may not carry video game products.

Can I order games online from Japan?

Of course! Amazon Japan offers a huge selection of Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games. Best of all, they ship not only in Japan but also internationally to countries around the world, and you can use the website in English, too.

Click here to visit the Nintendo Switch 2 store on Amazon Japan

Click here to visit the Nintendo Switch store on Amazon Japan