MrMax

Quick Facts

What it is

MrMax began in Fukuoka in 1925 as a radio-parts sales business, later developing home-appliance retail and opening its first general discount store in 1978. Today its operating subsidiary, MrMax Co., Ltd., runs a range of discount-store formats under MrMax Holdings. The chain is not uniformly single-floor: its official product categories include electronics, daily goods, household items, clothing, food and, at some stores, fresh groceries.

A useful Fukuoka example is MrMax Select Minoshima, at 2-5-6 Minoshima, Hakata-ku, which the current store page lists as open 24 hours a day. MrMax also announced tax-free service there in June 2025, with a tax-free service window of 9:00–22:00 in that announcement; the 24-hour opening does not establish 24-hour tax-free handling. MrMax Beppu in Oita currently lists shopping hours of 9:00–22:00 and tax-free reception from 10:00–21:00. For purchases on or after November 1, 2026, confirm that the store supports the new refund process and its current counter hours before relying on a refund.

How to order

Step 1: Pick a Branch and Check Its Departments

• Choose a branch using MrMax’s official locator. Select Minoshima operates 24 hours; Beppu lists 9:00–22:00. Other stores have different hours, including some that changed in November 2026.
• Follow the floor and department signs at the chosen store; do not assume a single-floor plan or self-checkout.
  • Food & Beverages: Minoshima and Beppu list fresh food and chilled or frozen groceries among their categories. Check the chosen branch for particular snacks, ramen or beverages.
  • Home & Kitchen: Look for storage, cleaning products and tableware in stores that carry those departments.
  • Electronics: Minoshima and Beppu list both large and small home appliances; particular hair dryers, televisions and chargers depend on available stock.
  • Toiletries & Health: Personal-care goods and medicines are listed among these two stores’ categories; some medicine purchases may depend on qualified staff availability.

Step 2: Explore the GOOD Max! Private Label

• GOOD Max! debuted on October 20, 2026. Its official catalogue highlights strong carbonated water, double-length toilet paper, alkaline batteries, lidded disinfecting wipes, pet sheets and food wrap. Product availability differs by store.
• GOOD Max! is the retailer’s own brand focused on value, quality and practical design. Its published range includes daily essentials; verify the model and specifications of any other product before buying.

Step 3: Pay at Checkout and Ask About Refund Registration

• Use the available staffed registers and any other checkout option displayed at the branch; self-service registers are not a verified chain-wide facility.
• MrMax lists major credit-card networks, selected QR payments and iD/QUICPay; its own payment guide says transit IC cards are not accepted.
• Keep your purchase details and ask the participating branch how it registers purchases for the 2026 refund method. Do not assume that collecting paper receipts at a centralized counter is the required procedure.

Step 4: Tax-Free Shopping Under the November 2026 Refund System

• Store availability: MrMax announced the resumption of tax-free shopping at Select Minoshima in July 2025 (reception 9:00–22:00) and Beppu currently displays tax-free reception from 10:00–21:00. These official notices establish previous or advertised services; their exact November 2026 refund registration and payout arrangements remain unconfirmed. Ask each branch before making a purchase that depends on a refund.
• Applicable national rules: From November 1, 2026, qualifying items are purchased at a tax-inclusive price. The former legal separation into “general goods” and “consumables” was abolished. The same-store, same-day qualifying purchase threshold generally remains ¥5,000 before tax.
  1. At a participating shop, complete the identity and purchase-registration steps that the shop supports. Ask which items are eligible and how the store or its refund provider will pay the refund.
  2. Do not use or consume goods in Japan if doing so would prevent customs from confirming their export. Food and cosmetics consumed in Japan cannot receive a refund; even previously designated “general goods” must be available for customs confirmation if requested.
  3. Depart Japan within 90 days of purchase and complete the customs export check at the departure airport or seaport before checking baggage. Present your passport or use an approved digital route where available; be ready to show all eligible items if customs requests an inspection.
  4. After customs confirmation, the retailer or its provider issues the tax refund by the method arranged with the buyer. A refund to the original credit card or cash at the airport is not guaranteed.

What to order first

1. Kyushu Noodles, Snacks & Groceries

• Japanese Name: 即席麺・菓子・飲料（店舗により取扱いが異なる）
• Price: See the selected store’s shelf price or current dated flyer. Current offers and assortments differ by branch.
• Why Consider It: Stores with grocery departments may carry instant noodles, regional snacks and drinks for a self-catering stay. Select Minoshima and Beppu list food categories; a specific Marutai ramen variety is not guaranteed.

2. GOOD Max! Everyday Essentials

• Japanese Name: GOOD Max! 強炭酸水・トイレットペーパー・アルカリ乾電池
• Price: Check current store prices. Compare the pack size and current offer.
• Why Consider It: GOOD Max! launched in October 2026. Official examples include carbonated water, double-length toilet paper, alkaline batteries and resealable wipes. Check the product label for specifications and available sizes.

3. Small Home Appliances & Hair-Care Electronics

• Japanese Name: ヘアドライヤー・小型家電（店舗・在庫による）
• Price: Check the price tag for the specific brand and model; prices depend on model and promotion.
• Why Consider It: Both Select Minoshima and Beppu list small appliances. Check the device label before export: Japanese household power is 100 V, and products not marked for use on your destination country’s voltage may require a suitable transformer. USB chargers and hair dryers are not automatically universal-voltage.

4. Bath Products & Toiletries

• Japanese Name: 入浴剤・日用品（商品在庫は店舗による）
• Price: Refer to the current shelf label; prices and packs differ by store.
• Why Consider It: Look for personal-care products and bath items at a location with the relevant department. For bath products, read the package directions and ingredients; a product marketed with onsen imagery is not necessarily made with natural spring minerals.

5. Outdoor & Household Supplies

• Japanese Name: 生活用品・園芸用品・カー用品（店舗によって異なる）
• Price: Compare current models and branch-specific offers. Promotional and regular prices may differ.
• Why Consider It: Select Minoshima lists car supplies and sports goods, along with home and garden products. Check stock before visiting for a specific folding chair, grill or cooler. Do not assume fuel for a camping stove is permitted in airline baggage.

Payment & practical info

Prices and details checked: October 2026.

• Accepted Payment Methods: MrMax lists Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express cards; UnionPay only at designated registers; PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d払い, au PAY, iD and QUICPay. Transit IC such as Suica, PASMO, SUGOCA, nimoca and Hayakaken are not accepted, according to its published policy. Verify the marks displayed at the register.
• Tax-Free Refund Rules (effective November 1, 2026):
  • The national threshold generally remains ¥5,000 excluding tax for qualifying same-day purchases from a participating store; do not assume each separate receipt must individually reach ¥5,000. Minoshima and Beppu have published tax-free services, but their arrangements under the new system are not independently verified.
  • Pay the tax-inclusive price, complete participating store registration, leave Japan within 90 days, and obtain customs export confirmation before airline baggage drop. The retailer or refund provider then arranges the refund.
  • The pre-November 2026 “general goods” and “consumables” categories are abolished. Food/cosmetics consumed in Japan do not qualify for customs confirmation or refund.
• Operating Hours: MrMax Select Minoshima is open 24 hours; its official 2025 tax-free announcement set tax-free reception at 9:00–22:00. Beppu lists 9:00–22:00 shopping and 10:00–21:00 tax-free reception. MrMax Nagazumi changed to 8:00–22:00 on November 1, 2026; Yamaguchi changed to 8:00–22:00 on November 5. Other stores vary.
• Parking: Parking availability and fees depend on the branch. For example, MrMax Yamaguchi’s official page lists 400 free parking spaces; this is not a guarantee for other stores.
• Promotions: Prices and sale conditions depend on date and location. Check the branch flyer and any MrMax app coupon eligibility before paying.

Good to know / Common mistakes

1. Tax-Free Branches and Counter Hours

Select Minoshima was officially announced as restarting tax-free service in July 2025, with a 9:00–22:00 reception window. The current Beppu store page lists tax-free reception 10:00–21:00. These times are not the same as store opening hours. The retailers’ procedures for purchases under the November 2026 refund rules were not established from the available published store notices; obtain confirmation at the chosen store before purchasing specifically for a refund.

2. Fukuoka: Select Minoshima and Late-Night Shopping

MrMax Select Minoshima is at 2-5-6 Minoshima, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City and currently lists 24-hour shopping. Its tax-free reception was advertised as 9:00–22:00 in the company’s June 2025 release. Store stock and any refund procedure in effect after November 1, 2026 should be checked before visiting.

3. Electrical Compatibility When Taking Purchases Home

Japan uses 100 V power. Check each appliance’s voltage and plug specifications against the destination country. A hair dryer or USB charger is not necessarily dual voltage; a plug adapter alone does not convert the supply voltage.

Sources

• MrMax Holdings monthly store count — 63 (Checked: 2026-11-12)
• MrMax Select Minoshima — opening hours and product categories (Checked: 2026-11-12)
• MrMax Beppu — opening and tax-free reception hours (Checked: 2026-11-12)
• MrMax 2025 Minoshima 24-hour/tax-free announcement (Checked: 2026-11-12)
• MrMax GOOD Max! private brand (Checked: 2026-11-12)
• MrMax payment guidance (Checked: 2026-11-12)
• Japan Tourism Agency — 2026 refund scheme (Checked: 2026-11-12)
• JNTO — plugs and electricity (Checked: 2026-11-12)