【Nakashibetsu Town, Hokkaido】No Smartphone Use Required at Checkout! “Otokara Furusato Ouen Nōzei®” — Donate Later After Paying at Participating Stores — Launches July 1

Nakashibetsu Town in Hokkaido (Town Mayor: Jō Nishimura) will begin rolling out, starting July 1, 2026 (Wed), its locally-based hometown tax donation program at affiliated local businesses including accommodations, restaurants, and tourist facilities.

The town has adopted “Otokara Furusato Ouen Nōzei®” (provided by DMC aizu Co., Ltd., Patent No. 7755336) as its primary donation method, eliminating all in-store procedures to maximize convenience for visitors and reduce the burden on local businesses.

As a town served by Nakashibetsu Airport and frequented annually by numerous tourists and business travelers, we aim to introduce a new style of hometown tax donation that allows visitors to support the region through its unique charms without sacrificing any of their valuable time during their stay.

Simple 3-Step Process

1 Pay normally at the store At any participating store (e.g., hotels, restaurants) in the town, simply pay as usual using cash, credit card, or other payment methods.

2 Receive your receipt and guide card At checkout, obtain both the “receipt (official receipt)” and a “guide card” with a printed QR code from the store staff. No further in-store steps are required.

3 Donate later at your convenience using your smartphone At a time convenient for you—while traveling, waiting for a flight, or after returning home—scan the QR code on the guide card using your smartphone. Then, upload a photo of the receipt to the dedicated website and complete payment for the additional donation amount to finish the hometown tax donation process.

※If within the tax deduction limit for hometown tax donations, the effective out-of-pocket cost will be 2,000 yen. Additional procedures for final tax settlement or the one-stop special tax deduction system may be required.

Why Our Town Chose the “Donate Later” Model

Traditional locally-based hometown tax donation systems typically require customers to scan a QR code at the point of sale and complete credit card payment on the spot. However, this method has presented challenges such as making customers feel rushed or causing checkout congestion, increasing the burden on businesses.

To address these issues and to show hospitality to visitors and consideration for local businesses, Nakashibetsu Town has decided to promote “Otokara Furusato Ouen Nōzei®” as its primary method. Customers simply pay normally at the store. Any necessary smartphone operations can be completed later—at their leisure during their stay, while waiting for a flight, or after returning home.

Rollout Begins July 1—Participating Stores

“Otokara Furusato Ouen Nōzei®” will be available for eligible purchases made at designated stores in the town, including accommodations and restaurants.

For a list of currently participating stores and future additions, please visit the dedicated website below.

※The town will continue to expand the network of affiliated stores to make this program available at as many locations as possible.

View details

【Message from the Town】

Nakashibetsu Town is known as “the town where there are more cows than people,” a dairy farming community with endless pastures stretching in every direction. It is renowned for exquisite desserts and dairy products made from fresh milk, as well as numerous outstanding restaurants featuring local ingredients.

“This trip to Nakashibetsu was wonderful.” “The food was so delicious, I want to support the town.” This program allows such heartfelt sentiments to be expressed easily and thoughtfully—without interrupting your valuable time during your visit. You can take your time later to make your contribution. We sincerely hope you will take advantage of this program and fully experience the unique charms of Nakashibetsu Town. We look forward to welcoming you.

【About Nakashibetsu Town, Hokkaido】

Known as “the town where there are more cows than people,” Nakashibetsu Town features vast pastures stretching as far as the eye can see, making it a hub of dairy farming. Beyond its exceptional dairy products made from fresh milk, the town is a treasure trove of ingredients nurtured by its rich natural environment. At “Kaiyōdai,” a scenic spot with unobstructed views, visitors can experience a breathtaking panoramic view so expansive that the curvature of the Earth can be perceived.

【Inquiries Regarding This Press Release】

Nakashibetsu Town, Municipal Affairs Department, Policy Promotion Section, Furusato Ouen Desk

Contact: Sato

TEL: 0153-74-0727 (direct line)