Kyoto Duty-Free Shopping 2026: Tom Ford & Le Labo Must-Haves

Fall Kyoto Trip Duty-Free Shopping List: My Personal Recommendations

By_2jay

Is any trip truly complete without a duty-free shopping spree? For me, it's a non-negotiable part of the travel experience, especially when it comes to fragrances. I'm a self-proclaimed 'scent-lover,' and I always make sure to pick up a new perfume or body lotion from the duty-free shop.

This time around, I found some truly satisfying items at duty-free that I'm excited to share with you.

Le Labo The Noir 29 Body Lotion

By_2jay

Le Labo The Noir 29 is one of my all-time favorite scents. I absolutely adore unisex and woody fragrances, and I tend to steer clear of anything too floral. The Noir 29 perfectly hits that sweet spot!

I love to layer my scents, so I often buy the matching body lotion to complement my perfume. This creates a cohesive and long-lasting aroma. It was time for a new body lotion, so I ordered The Noir 29 body lotion from the online duty-free shop.

Compared to other body lotions, the scent is incredibly rich and truly lasts. Just a small amount before bed leaves a pleasant fragrance that stays with me until I fall asleep. If your fragrance preferences are similar to mine, I highly recommend The Noir 29 body lotion.

Tom Ford Oud Wood Perfume

by_2jay

As a strong admirer of woody scents, I love collecting perfumes from this family. This time, I decided to try Tom Ford Oud Wood.

While Tom Ford's Vanille Fatale is my go-to for winter, many recommended Oud Wood as an excellent choice for fall, so I decided to give it a shot. It's an absolute winner for me! I've been wearing it almost daily lately. If you have similar fragrance preferences, I suggest checking it out at the online duty-free stores. You can often find great deals with coupons, making it a perfect pick-up before your next trip.

Loveum Pore Deep Cleansing Pad

by_2jay

This is a fantastic duty-free find for travel! I typically use a separate lip & eye remover, especially since I wear waterproof mascara. My usual routine involves lip & eye remover, then cleansing oil, and finally foam cleanser. So, I always pack a dedicated point makeup remover when I travel.

I was curious about Loveum's all-in-one cleansing pads and decided to try them. They really do an excellent job of cleansing! I tend to smudge easily, so I only use waterproof mascara, and these pads removed everything without any residue.

The only downside is that the pads are heavily saturated with cleansing liquid, so it can sting a bit if it gets into your eyes when you're cleaning the eye area. You need to be careful and use the edges of the pad gently.

Aside from that minor issue, they effectively remove all makeup without leaving any residue. Plus, they come individually packed in pairs, making them compact and super convenient for travel.

Le Labo Hinoki Hand Cream

By_2jay

This one wasn't on my original shopping list, but I impulsively bought it after a friend reminded me to use my duty-free coupons while browsing. (Ironically, Le Labo is excluded from coupon promotions, so I ended up buying it full price anyway! Haha.)

I would have preferred The Noir, The Matcha, or Another 13 hand lotion, but they only had Basil and Hinoki available. After testing both, Hinoki was definitely my preference, so I went with that. It’s non-sticky and provides excellent moisture, making it perfect for the colder months.

Tom Ford Lipstick

by_2jay

Another impulse buy from the duty-free shop! Why do we ladies always seem to buy lipsticks out of habit? My drawer is overflowing with unused lipsticks, many in similar shades, yet I somehow forgot all about them and bought a new one. I snagged it for around ~$32 at duty-free (retail price is typically around ~$45).

I had lost a Tom Ford lipstick I absolutely loved after barely using it, so maybe this was a bit of "retail therapy" or a subconscious attempt to replace it? The funny thing is, I still haven't even opened it since getting back from my trip! Anyone else guilty of these impulse purchases? Let's all try to be a bit more thoughtful when buying lipstick!

Still, among my duty-free purchases, the Le Labo body lotion and Tom Ford Oud Wood have become my daily essentials, and I'm using them constantly.

On my last trip to Bali, I picked up Kilian Angels' Share, but its strong whiskey base makes it less of an everyday scent for me. Tom Ford Oud Wood, however, is perfect for the current weather and ideal for daily wear.

Many of you might be planning fall trips to Japan; I hope you score some fantastic deals on items you've been eyeing at the duty-free shops!