Is the AirPods Pro 3 cheaper to buy in Japan?

No. Japan's ¥42,800 ≈ NT$8,885, versus NT$7,490 on Taiwan's official site — Taiwan is NT$1,395 cheaper; even after Japan's 10% tax refund, it comes to about NT$8,078, still pricier than Taiwan.

Should you buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 in Japan?

At the price incl. tax, it's only NT$69 cheaper, which the card fee alone would eat up; only if you're in Japan and can also get the tax refund (about ¥54,000 ≈ NT$11,210) does the gap reach about NT$1,190 — and the warranty stays in Japan.

What about buying headphones while in the US?

Both Apple models are lower at the US price excl. tax (the Pro 3 is US$31.96 cheaper, the Max 2 is US$40.49 cheaper); the two Sony models are actually cheaper in Japan by US$45–70, and state tax must be added at checkout.

THE SHOPPING EDITTopic studyJapan × TaiwanJapan × the US

AirPods Pro 3 Actually Saves NT$1,395 in Taiwan! Comparing 4 Apple and Sony Headphones, Only 1 Is Cheaper in Japan

Comparing official-site prices for the same generation, color, and standard bundle: the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2, and Sony WF-1000XM5 are all cheaper in Taiwan, and only the Sony WH-1000XM6 is cheaper in Japan — by just NT$69. Buying in the US instead, Apple is cheaper there while Sony is cheaper in Japan.

TravPrice deskPublished September 10, 2026Updated September 14, 2026Checked through September 21, 20264 same-item comparisons · about 2 min read

On this page · 9 sections

Verdict
Taiwan-Japan Price Gaps for All Four at a Glance
Why Aren't Headphones Cheaper in Japan?
If You're in the US: Buy Apple There, Buy Sony in Japan
Where Should You Pay for Headphones?
The gap in one chart
Price table
FAQ
Sources

Same-item pairs4 items

cheaper in Japan2 items50% · median save 3.9%

Save the mostUS$70.06Sony WH-1000XM6

cheaper in the US2 itemsup to US$40.49 · Apple AirPods Max 2

01 · Verdict

4 same-item comparisons

Don't buy headphones in Japan without checking first. The AirPods Pro 3 is ¥42,800 in Japan (≈NT$8,885) vs. NT$7,490 on Taiwan's official site, NT$1,395 cheaper in Taiwan (18.6%); the AirPods Max 2 is NT$652 cheaper in Taiwan, and the Sony WF-1000XM5 is NT$432 cheaper in Taiwan. Of the four, only the Sony WH-1000XM6 is cheaper in Japan, and only by NT$69 — not worth going out of your way for.

The AirPods Pro 3 is NT$1,395 cheaper in Taiwan, the biggest gap among the four; the Max 2 is NT$652 cheaper in Taiwan and the WF-1000XM5 is NT$432 cheaper in Taiwan.
The WH-1000XM6 is ¥59,400 in Japan (≈NT$12,331) vs. NT$12,400 in Taiwan — only NT$69 cheaper in Japan (0.6%).
US pre-tax prices: the AirPods Pro 3 is US$31.96 cheaper in the US, and the Max 2 is US$40.49 cheaper; both Sony models are actually US$45-70 cheaper in Japan.

Comparison basis: official-site/retailer list prices as of 2026-09-11; exchange rate per Bank of Taiwan's spot selling rate on 2026-09-10, 1 JPY = NT$0.2076, 1 USD = NT$31.625. The tax-free estimate is calculated back from the 10% consumption tax; whether it applies depends on the store's policy. This piece includes no listening or wear testing.

Taiwan-Japan Price Gaps for All Four at a Glance

AirPods Pro 3: Japan ¥42,800 ≈ NT$8,885, Taiwan NT$7,490, Taiwan is cheaper by NT$1,395 (18.6%). AirPods Max 2: Japan ¥89,800 ≈ NT$18,642, Taiwan NT$17,990, Taiwan is cheaper by NT$652 (3.6%).

Sony WF-1000XM5: Japan ¥35,750 ≈ NT$7,422, Taiwan NT$6,990, Taiwan is cheaper by NT$432 (6.2%). Sony WH-1000XM6: Japan ¥59,400 ≈ NT$12,331, Taiwan NT$12,400, Japan is cheaper by NT$69 (0.6%). All four figures are tax-included official-site list prices, verified 2026-09-11.

Why Aren't Headphones Cheaper in Japan?

Both Apple and Sony have official pricing in Taiwan, and Taiwan's official-site tax-included prices are already lower than the converted Japan tax-included prices; the yen would have to fall below 1 JPY = NT$0.175 before AirPods Pro 3 breaks even in Japan.

After Japan's traveler tax-free refunds the 10% consumption tax, the AirPods Pro 3 comes to about ¥38,909 ≈ NT$8,078, still more expensive than Taiwan's NT$7,490; the WH-1000XM6 comes to about NT$11,210 tax-free, cheaper than Taiwan by about NT$1,190 — this is the only model where the difference actually feels meaningful.

If You're in the US: Buy Apple There, Buy Sony in Japan

AirPods Pro 3: US US$249, Japan converts to US$280.96, the US is cheaper by US$31.96; AirPods Max 2: US US$549, Japan US$589.49, the US is cheaper by US$40.49.

Sony WH-1000XM6: US US$459.99, Japan converts to US$389.93, Japan is cheaper by US$70.06; WF-1000XM5: US US$279.99, Japan US$234.68, Japan is cheaper by US$45.31. The US prices don't include state sales tax, which gets added at checkout.

Where Should You Pay for Headphones?

If you use Apple devices and live in Taiwan: buy the AirPods Pro 3 and Max 2 directly in Taiwan, and you get a Taiwan warranty. The Sony WF-1000XM5 true wireless earbuds should likewise be bought in Taiwan.

If you're already in Japan and have decided to buy the WH-1000XM6: the tax-included price gap is only NT$69 — it takes a tax-free store to get a gap in the thousands. Remember the warranty region and returns are both in Japan, so you'd have to ship it yourself for repairs back in Taiwan.

The gap in one chart

How much you save per item (Japan converted vs the US list)cheaper in Japancheaper in the US

Sony WH-1000XM6Save US$70.06
Sony WF-1000XM5Save US$45.31
Apple AirPods Pro 3the US cheaper US$31.96
Apple AirPods Max 2the US cheaper US$40.49

amounts are converted list prices, without tax-free, card fees or shipping. Full figures are in the table below.

WH-1000XM6 示意圖（本站 AI 重繪） — SonySony WH-1000XM6

WF-1000XM5 示意圖（本站 AI 重繪） — SonySony WF-1000XM5

AirPods Pro 3 示意圖（本站 AI 重繪） — AppleApple AirPods Pro 3

AirPods Max 2 示意圖（本站 AI 重繪） — AppleApple AirPods Max 2

Price table(4 items)

Japan × the US · prices in this piece
Product	Japan list	Converted	the US list	Gap
Apple AirPods Pro 3AirPods Pro 3 · USB-C	¥42,800Bic Camera	US$280.96	US$249.00Apple US official store	12.8% cheaper in the USUS$31.96 ·checked 2026-09-11
Apple AirPods Max 2AirPods Max 2 · Blue	¥89,800Bic Camera	US$589.49	US$549.00Apple US official store	7.4% cheaper in the USUS$40.49 ·checked 2026-09-11
Sony WH-1000XM6WH-1000XM6 / B	¥59,400Sony Japan official store	US$389.93	US$459.99Sony US official store	15.2% cheaper in JapanUS$70.06 ·checked 2026-09-11
Sony WF-1000XM5WF-1000XM5 / B	¥35,750Sony Japan official store	US$234.68	US$279.99Sony US official store	16.2% cheaper in JapanUS$45.31 ·checked 2026-09-11

FX: Bank of Taiwan 2026-09-10 spot selling JPY/TWD 0.2076, USD/TWD 31.625.US sources exclude state and local tax, so they cannot be treated as the same tax basis as Japan’s included stickers.

FAQ

Is the AirPods Pro 3 cheaper to buy in Japan?: No. Japan's ¥42,800 ≈ NT$8,885, versus NT$7,490 on Taiwan's official site — Taiwan is NT$1,395 cheaper; even after Japan's 10% tax refund, it comes to about NT$8,078, still pricier than Taiwan.
Should you buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 in Japan?: At the price incl. tax, it's only NT$69 cheaper, which the card fee alone would eat up; only if you're in Japan and can also get the tax refund (about ¥54,000 ≈ NT$11,210) does the gap reach about NT$1,190 — and the warranty stays in Japan.
What about buying headphones while in the US?: Both Apple models are lower at the US price excl. tax (the Pro 3 is US$31.96 cheaper, the Max 2 is US$40.49 cheaper); the two Sony models are actually cheaper in Japan by US$45–70, and state tax must be added at checkout.

09 · Sources

Ranks, prices and FX keep their source links and check dates; the piece is written with the TravPrice comparison method and has no hands-on review or test score.

Listed prices: Japan and the US official or channel list prices for 4 productsChecked through 2026-09-22; each source link is in the price table and product page.
FX: Bank of Taiwan FX ↗Bank of Taiwan spot selling reference rate; the US dollar is cross-converted · JPY/TWD 0.2076 · USD/TWD 31.625 · 2026-09-10 23:22:00 (Taiwan time)
Published and updated: September 10, 2026 · updated September 14, 2026Comparison basis: official-site/retailer list prices as of 2026-09-11; exchange rate per Bank of Taiwan's spot selling rate on 2026-09-10, 1 JPY = NT$0.2076, 1 USD = NT$31.625. The tax-free estimate is calculated back from the 10% consumption tax; whether it applies depends on the store's policy. This piece includes no listening or wear testing.

See the Sony WH-1000XM6 comparison ↗All price-gap rankings ↗More weekly notes and guides ↗

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