Alexa+ Launches in Japan: ¥3,000 a Month or Free With Prime — Price, Devices and How to Get Early Access
Alexa+ launched in Japan Oct 29, 2026: free Early Access, free with Prime after, ¥3,000/month otherwise. Devices, sign-up steps and what's still coming.
Alexa+ is now live in Japan. Amazon started a free Early Access rollout on October 29, 2026. Prime members will keep it at no extra charge once Early Access ends. Everyone else will pay ¥3,000 a month, which is five times Japan's ¥600 monthly Prime fee. If you live in Japan and want Alexa+ for the long term, the cheapest way to get it is to have Prime.
Below you'll find the confirmed price, how to get an invite, which devices work, and what is still "coming later." We also compare the Japanese price with the US one, because the gap is bigger than it first looks.
What is Alexa+ in Japan, and when did it launch?
Alexa+ is Amazon's generative-AI version of Alexa. Amazon Japan's press release says it holds natural conversations, understands unfinished or complicated requests, learns your preferences over time and completes tasks for you. Early Access in Japan started on October 29, 2026.
The Japanese version is more than a translation. Impress Keitai Watch reports that a Japan-based team of about 1,000 people tuned the models and prompts for Japanese language and culture. Amazon also says it adjusted the level of politeness and that Alexa+ understands seasonal customs. AV Watch's example is help with preparing New Year osechi dishes.
Amazon also launched new hardware the same day: the Echo Time smart clock at ¥35,980 and a new Echo Dot at ¥17,980. Both prices include tax, and both went on sale on Amazon.co.jp the same day.
If you followed the US launch, the Japanese lineup and features will look familiar. Our earlier breakdown of Amazon's new Echo Show 16, Echo Dot and Echo Time covers the hardware side in US dollars.
How much does Alexa+ cost in Japan?
| Plan | Price in Japan | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Early Access (now) | Free | Invite-based access on eligible devices, the Alexa app and the web |
| Amazon Prime member (after Early Access) | ¥0 extra (included in Prime) | Full Alexa+ |
| Not a Prime member (after Early Access) | ¥3,000 per month | Full Alexa+ |
| Amazon Prime itself | ¥600/month or ¥5,900/year | Prime benefits, plus Alexa+ |
Amazon's release confirms the ¥3,000 price and the "free with Prime" rule. The Prime fees have been in place since August 24, 2023, according to Impress Watch's report on Amazon Japan's last price increase.
Amazon has not announced when Early Access ends, and its release doesn't say how non-members will be moved from the free Early Access to the paid plan. Check your Alexa app for notices before Early Access closes.
Japan vs US: why ¥3,000 looks expensive
This comparison is our own, built from each country's official prices:
| Japan | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Alexa+ without Prime | ¥3,000/month | $19.99/month |
| Prime (monthly) | ¥600/month | $14.99/month |
| Standalone Alexa+ vs monthly Prime | 5× | about 1.33× |
| Standalone Alexa+ per year vs annual Prime | ¥36,000 vs ¥5,900 (about 6.1×) | $239.88 vs $139 (about 1.7×) |
| Free tier for non-Prime users | Not announced | Limited text chat at Alexa.com and in the app |
The yen price is roughly the dollar price converted, as PPC Land points out. Prime in Japan, however, costs far less than Prime in the US. For Japanese households the "pay for Alexa+ on its own" option makes almost no financial sense. It costs five times as much as a Prime membership that includes Alexa+ along with Prime Video, shipping benefits and more.
How do I get Alexa+ Early Access in Japan?
According to Amazon's announcement, invitations go out in stages. You get on the list in one of these ways:
- Buy a new eligible device. Buyers of new Echo devices, Fire TV devices and Fire TV built-in smart TVs from Panasonic and JVC are prioritised. Amazon says some models are excluded.
- Already own a compatible device? Register at amazon.co.jp/newalexa to request an invitation.
- Wait for the invite. Signing up doesn't mean you can use it the same day, because invitations roll out in waves.
- Use it beyond the speaker. Once you're in, Amazon says Alexa+ works on compatible devices, in the Alexa app (iOS and Android) and in a web browser at alexa.jp.
Which devices support Alexa+ in Japan?
Amazon hasn't published a full model list in the press release. Here is what we could confirm:
- Supported: most Echo devices, Fire TV devices and some Fire TV built-in smart TVs (Panasonic, JVC). AV Watch also names the Fire TV Stick 4K. The new Echo Time and Echo Dot are built for Alexa+.
- Not supported: very old models. Amazon Japan's device lead, Mai Maruyama, gave the first-generation Echo as an example, according to AV Watch. Gizmodo Japan also reports that older-generation Echo devices are excluded.
- Check before you buy: Amazon points customers to its dedicated Alexa+ page for the definitive list. Some Japanese blogs are still sharing outdated short lists, so rely on Amazon's page.
What can Alexa+ do in Japan right now, and what's still "coming"?
This is the part most launch coverage glosses over. Several of the headline partner features are not live yet. Our checklist:
| Feature | Status in Japan (per Amazon and Japanese press) |
|---|---|
| Natural conversation without repeating "Alexa" | Available |
| Smart-home control from casual requests (for example, saying "it's hot" to lower the air conditioning), works with SwitchBot and Panasonic | Available (needs compatible devices) |
| Routines created by voice | Available |
| Music by mood (Amazon Music, Spotify), Prime Video, podcasts | Available (subscriptions may apply) |
| Price-drop alerts, restock reminders, delivery tracking, review summaries on Amazon.co.jp | Available |
| Recipes via Delish Kitchen | Available |
| Voice ID and visual ID to recognise family members | Available |
| Sending email by voice (linked mail account) | Available, per AV Watch |
| Restaurant reservations via Tabelog | Planned |
| Food and grocery delivery via Uber Eats and Demae-can | Planned |
| Tickets via Ticket Pia | Planned |
Amazon hasn't given dates for the planned partner features. If restaurant booking is the main reason you want Alexa+, wait.
Advertising is another difference. Ad formats like the ones covered in our explainer on Alexa+ agentic ads were US-only at the time of writing, and PPC Land notes the Japan announcement says nothing about ads. The same goes for the Alexa for Shopping update with 100+ new actions, which is a US feature.
Is Alexa+ worth it in Japan?
Editor's take: For a Prime member in Japan, trying Alexa+ costs nothing, so request an invite. The more interesting question is for people without Prime. At ¥3,000 a month, Alexa+ alone costs more than six times a year of Prime, which includes Alexa+. Amazon is clearly using Alexa+ to sell Prime, and in Japan the pricing makes that very obvious. We'd also hold off judging the Japanese version until Tabelog, Uber Eats, Demae-can and Ticket Pia are actually live, because those integrations are what make it more than a better voice assistant. We have not used Alexa+ in Japan ourselves. This assessment is based on Amazon's announcements and Japanese press coverage.
A quick decision guide:
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Prime member with a recent Echo or Fire TV | Request an invite at amazon.co.jp/newalexa; it's free |
| Prime member with a first-gen or very old Echo | Check Amazon's device list before buying anything new |
| No Prime, want Alexa+ long term | Getting Prime (¥600/month) is far cheaper than ¥3,000/month |
| You mainly want restaurant booking or food delivery by voice | Wait; those partners are "planned" |
| Privacy-conscious | Review the Alexa Privacy Dashboard settings first (see below) |
What about privacy?
Amazon's release says you can review what Alexa heard and change how long voice recordings are kept in the Alexa Privacy Dashboard. Features that use the camera, such as visual ID or identifying a seasoning, apply only to devices with cameras. On the Echo Time, Amazon says the ultrasound-based sleep sensing can be turned off in the Alexa app and is disabled when the microphone is off. PPC Land notes that the Japanese announcement does not say where Japanese voice data is processed.
What are people saying?
We looked for first-hand reactions from Japanese users on Reddit and in forums and found no threads we could verify and link to as of November 3. One Japanese blog claims users on Reddit and Facebook are posting that Alexa+ is "finally" usable, but it doesn't link to any posts, so we're not quoting it. Japanese press coverage has been mostly positive in tone. Gizmodo Japan's headline called the launch a long-awaited arrival, and PPC Land's analysis focused on the price gap.
The questions readers are searching for most:
- Is Alexa+ free in Japan? (Free during Early Access and for Prime members.)
- What's the Alexa price in Japan for non-Prime users? (¥3,000/month after Early Access.)
- Does my old Echo work? (Very old models such as the first-gen Echo don't.)
- When does Early Access end? (Not announced.)
Where else is Alexa+ available?
According to PPC Land's count, Japan is the 13th Alexa+ market. Earlier launches include the US, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Australia and India, and PPC Land reports that Amazon plans to expand to more than 10 additional countries in 2027. For the bigger picture on Amazon's AI spending and partners, see our explainer on the Amazon–Anthropic deal.
More from 9to5Amazon today: Is Amazon Grocery worth it? US fees compared · Amazon RDS per-snapshot billing explained
FAQ
Is Alexa+ free in Japan?
Yes, during Early Access, which began on October 29, 2026. After Early Access, it stays free for Amazon Prime members and costs ¥3,000 per month for everyone else.
How much is Alexa+ in Japan without Prime?
¥3,000 per month, according to Amazon's announcement. That's five times the ¥600 monthly Prime fee in Japan.
How do I sign up for Alexa+ in Japan?
Register at amazon.co.jp/newalexa if you already own a compatible device, or buy a new eligible Echo, Fire TV or Fire TV built-in TV. Invitations are sent in stages.
When does Alexa+ Early Access end in Japan?
Amazon has not announced an end date.
Does Alexa+ work on old Echo devices in Japan?
Most Echo devices are supported, but very old models are excluded. Amazon's Japan device lead cited the first-generation Echo as an example, according to AV Watch.
Can I use Alexa+ in Japan on a PC or phone?
Yes. Amazon says Alexa+ works in the Alexa app and in a web browser at alexa.jp, in addition to Echo and Fire TV devices.
Does Alexa+ in Japan support Tabelog and Uber Eats?
Not yet. Tabelog reservations, Uber Eats and Demae-can delivery, and Ticket Pia tickets are announced as planned features without dates.
How much are the new Echo Time and Echo Dot in Japan?
The Echo Time costs ¥35,980 and the new Echo Dot ¥17,980 (tax included). Both went on sale on Amazon.co.jp on October 29, 2026.
Sources
- Amazon Japan press release, Alexa+ launch in Japan: https://press.aboutamazon.com/jp/2026/10/amazon-launches-alexa-its-generative-ai-powered-next-generation-personal-assistant-in-japan
- Amazon Japan press release, Echo Time and Echo Dot: https://press.aboutamazon.com/jp/2026/10/amazon-unveils-echo-time-and-echo-dot-designed-for-its-generative-ai-powered-alexa
- Amazon (US), Alexa+ free for Prime members, $19.99 for others: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/alexa-plus-available-free-prime-members-us
- Impress Keitai Watch, Alexa+ Japan launch: https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/2151993.html
- Impress AV Watch, Alexa+ Japan launch: https://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/2152019.html
- Impress Watch, Amazon Japan Prime price change (2023): https://www.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1523210.html
- Gizmodo Japan: https://www.gizmodo.jp/article/2610-alexa-plus-japan-release/
- PPC Land analysis: https://ppc.land/amazon-prices-alexa-in-japan-at-y-3-000-a-month-five-times-the-prime-fee/
Featured image: Echo Time (left) and the new Echo Dot, official Amazon product image from the Amazon Japan press release. Source