Bicycle Helmet Subsidies in Tokyo (2026): 14 Wards and Cities Compared, ¥2,000 Off and ¥3,000 in Adachi

Subsidies depend on the city or ward where you live and can end when the budget runs out. Check your own ward or city office before you buy.

In most Tokyo wards and cities that subsidize bicycle helmets, you get ¥2,000 off on the spot when you buy at a partner shop in the ward or city. Chiyoda, Minato, Sumida, Edogawa and Ome let you apply after you buy, and in Chiyoda, Minato, Sumida and Edogawa a helmet bought online also counts. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government list (as of April 1, 2026) names 15 wards and cities, and this page compares the 14 that were still accepting applications on October 27, 2026.

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1. How to choose: where you buy and what you have to do

• Want a discount at the shop: Koto, Nakano, Toshima, Nerima, Adachi, Chofu and Tachikawa (show ID at a partner shop and fill in a form).
• Want to use a helmet bought online: Chiyoda, Minato, Sumida and Edogawa (apply after buying, with the receipt and a photo of the certification mark).
• Already bought one: Chiyoda (within 1 year of purchase), Minato (bought on or after April 1, 2026), Sumida (bought on or after December 23, 2022), Edogawa (bought on or after July 1, 2023) and Ome (within 1 year of purchase).
• Replacing a helmet as a child grows: Minato lets children under 13 apply once per fiscal year, and Ome allows 1 helmet per person per fiscal year.

2. Comparison of 14 wards and cities

All 14 give 1 helmet per person (Ome, and Minato for children under 13, once per fiscal year), and the amount is up to ¥2,000 except Adachi’s ¥3,000. If the helmet costs less than ¥2,000, many wards and cities cap the subsidy at the price.

Source: each ward’s and city’s official page (checked October 27, 2026). A “—” means the ward’s page gives no acceptance period. Fuchu is on the Tokyo list, but it stopped accepting applications on November 2, 2025, and its program ended with fiscal 2025. See the Tokyo Metropolitan Government page on municipal helmet subsidies (Japanese) and the Fuchu City page (Japanese).

3. Things to know before you claim

The Tokyo list says some programs on it have already closed because the budget ran out, and some wards and cities not on it run a program anyway, so the page of the ward or city where you live is the safest place to check. Only 10 of the 23 wards are on the list, and Shinjuku, Setagaya and Ota, for example, are not.

• The subsidy is for the ward or city where you live. You cannot claim it through your workplace’s or school’s ward. Only Toshima also covers junior high school students and younger who live outside the ward but attend a nursery, kindergarten or school in it.
• Partner shops are mostly local bicycle shops, but in some places also electronics stores, home centers and variety stores (Bic Camera and Hands in Shibuya, Yamada Denki and Don Quijote in Tachikawa, Bic Camera and DCM in Chofu, for example). Tachikawa’s partner shops also include shops in Akishima, Mizuho, Higashiyamato and Musashimurayama.
• Nerima and Chofu say demand has grown and some products are temporarily out of stock. Tachikawa’s FY2026 budget is for 2,800 helmets, and there were 1,282 applications as of October 18.
• Among helmets with the CE mark, only those marked “EN1078” meet the bicycle standard. Other EN numbers are not covered (stated by Chiyoda, Sumida, Edogawa and Tachikawa).

Minato and Sumida also require that you have liability insurance for injuring others in a bicycle accident. Since April 2020 Tokyo has required bicycle users to have this insurance. Sumida says it may come as a rider on fire insurance, car insurance or a credit card.

4. Wards and cities where you apply after buying (online purchases count in some)

In Chiyoda, Minato, Sumida and Edogawa, a helmet bought online also qualifies if you apply with the receipt and a photo of the certification mark. Payment is by bank transfer or vouchers, and the wait differs by ward.

Chiyoda: ¥3,000 or more incl. tax, apply within 1 year of buying

For Chiyoda residents, ¥2,000 per helmet. It does not matter where you buy, and online purchases count, but the price (excluding points used, discounts and shipping) must be ¥3,000 or more including tax, and you must apply within 1 year of the purchase date. Helmets meeting a safety standard such as the SG, JCF or CE (EN1078) mark are covered.

Apply through the application form on the ward’s portal site, or submit a form by mail or at the counter. You can apply for up to 4 helmets for one household at a time, and the transfer can take about 2 months. People who received the ward’s subsidy before are not eligible (unless the user is a different person). Chiyoda page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Minato: ¥2,000 in Minato Toku Pay points or paper vouchers

For residents who have bicycle liability insurance. You can choose ¥2,000 in Minato Toku Pay points (a gift card) or paper vouchers. Helmets bought on or after April 1, 2026 are covered, including those bought at shops outside the ward or online. Applications are accepted until March 31, 2027, online or by mail or in person at the Local Transportation Division.

It is basically once per person, but children under 13 can apply once per fiscal year to allow for replacements as they grow. Vouchers arrive by registered mail in the middle of the month after you apply. Minato page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Sumida: ¥2,000 off at partner shops, others apply by Feb 28, 2027

At partner shops in the ward, fill in the purchase slip at the shop and show ID for everyone who will wear a helmet, and you get up to ¥2,000 off on the spot. If you bought at another shop or online between December 23, 2022 and February 28, 2027, you can still get up to ¥2,000 by applying at the counter, by mail (postmarked by February 28) or online with a My Number Card.

The application needs 2 photos: one where the certification mark is clearly readable and one of the whole helmet. You must have personal liability insurance, and for children under 18 a parent applies. The transfer takes about 2 months. Sumida page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Edogawa: partner-shop discount, or online application for online purchases

For residents, accepted until the FY2026 budget is reached. At partner shops, fill in a form and show ID to get up to ¥2,000 off on the spot. If you bought online or at a non-partner shop on or after July 1, 2023, apply online with the dedicated form, and the money is transferred in about 1 month.

The online application needs images of a bankbook or cash card showing the account, ID, and a receipt (showing the date, amount, shop and item). It is once per person, and people who received it before are not eligible. Edogawa page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Ome: buy in the city, apply afterwards

For people with an address in the city. It covers up to ¥2,000 per helmet, such as an SG-marked one, bought at a shop in the city, once per person per fiscal year. Only new helmets within 1 year of purchase are covered, and for children under 18 a parent applies.

Apply online, at the Transportation Policy Division or a citizen center counter, or by mail. Attach the receipt and a document such as a warranty card showing the safety standard, plus the bank account details, and the transfer comes within 30 days of the decision. Ome page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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5. Wards with an instant discount at partner shops

In Koto, Nakano, Toshima, Nerima and Adachi, show ID with your address at a ward partner shop and fill in a form, and you pay the discounted price with no procedure at the ward office. Helmets bought at non-partner shops are not covered.

Koto: up to ¥2,000 off with no ward office procedure

For residents buying a helmet that meets certain standards at a partner shop, up to ¥2,000 off per helmet. The period is April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 (planned), and companies are excluded. Partner shops are listed on the ward’s page by area, such as Fukagawa and the bay area, and Joto. Koto page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Nakano: covers you and family members living with you

For residents and family members who live with them. Buy at a partner shop in the ward between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027 and you get ¥2,000 off. Once per person, and businesses are excluded. Nakano page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Toshima: also covers junior high students and younger at schools in the ward

For people who live in the ward, and for children up to junior high school who live outside the ward but attend a nursery, kindergarten or school in it. Buy a helmet with the SG or CE mark at one of the ward’s designated shops for ¥2,000 off (up to the price if it costs less). You write your address and name on a discount coupon handed out at the shop, one helmet per person. Designated shops are bicycle shops in Sugamo, Otsuka, Ikebukuro and elsewhere. Toshima notice on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Nerima: no age limit, ¥2,000 off at partner shops

For people who live in the ward, at any age. A new helmet with one of the SG, JCF, CE, GS or CPSC marks costs ¥2,000 less at a partner shop (up to the price if it costs less). The period runs until March 31, 2027. Fill in the application and voucher form at the shop and show ID. You can also print the form from the ward’s page and bring it. Nerima page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Adachi: ¥3,000 off helmets of ¥3,000 or more

For residents. At a designated shop, a new helmet of ¥3,000 or more that meets a safety standard such as the SG mark is ¥3,000 off. The period is April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2029 (planned), if the budget is approved for each fiscal year. You can do everything at the shop: fill in a form and show ID with your address. Adachi page on the ¥3,000 helmet discount (Japanese)

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6. Wards and cities that need an application or a course before you buy

Shibuya requires you to apply through the ward’s official LINE account or at the office and get approval before buying at a partner shop, and Musashino requires a voucher given at the city’s bicycle safety course. In both, helmets bought before the approval or voucher are not covered.

Shibuya: apply first by LINE, ends at 1,000 helmets

Residents only, 1 helmet per person, up to ¥2,000. The period is April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, but it ends as soon as the planned 1,000 helmets are reached. Normally you apply on the ward’s official LINE account with ID, show the approval notice at a partner shop’s register, and send a photo of the receipt through a QR code shown at the shop. People who cannot use LINE can apply at the Transportation Policy Division on the 11th floor of the ward office.

There are 8 partner shops, including Bic Camera Shibuya East Exit Annex, Hands Shibuya, Hands Shinjuku (Sendagaya) and Cycle Base Asahi Sasazuka. Helmets with the SG, JCF, CE, GS or CPSC mark and similar are covered. Shibuya page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Musashino: get a voucher at a course

Residents who take the city’s bicycle safety course (booking required) receive a voucher, and showing it at a partner shop in the city gives ¥2,000 off. A new SG-certified helmet (or equivalent) is covered, for purchases through March 31, 2027. Vouchers issued in fiscal 2025 or earlier cannot be used. Musashino page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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7. Tama cities with partner-shop discounts (Tachikawa, Chofu)

In Tachikawa and Chofu, show ID proving you live in the city at a partner shop and fill in a form to get a helmet for ¥2,000 off. Both end mid-year if the planned number is reached.

Tachikawa: 2,800 helmets in FY2026, partner shops outside the city too

For residents, from September 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027 (planned), 1 helmet per person during the period. Print the application and pledge form from the city’s page, or pick it up at a city facility such as the Transportation Planning Division at City Hall or a library, or at a partner shop, and hand it in at the shop. The FY2026 budget is for 2,800 helmets, and there were 1,282 applications as of October 18. Partner shops include bicycle shops and electronics stores in the city, and shops in Akishima, Mizuho, Higashiyamato and Musashimurayama. Tachikawa page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Chofu: designated shops include some in Komae

For residents, from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 (planned), ending as soon as the quota is reached. Show ID at a designated shop and fill in a form to get a new helmet that meets a safety standard such as the SG mark for ¥2,000 off, once per person. Designated shops include bicycle shops in the city, 3 shops in Komae, and extended shops such as Bic Camera Keio Chofu and DCM Chofu. Chofu page on the helmet subsidy (Japanese)

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Sources

17 pages we checkedShow

• Tokyo Metropolitan Government: municipal bicycle helmet subsidy programs
• Chiyoda Ward: helmet subsidy
• Minato Ward: helmet subsidy for all residents
• Sumida Ward: helmet subsidy
• Koto Ward: helmet subsidy
• Shibuya Ward: helmet subsidy
• Nakano Ward: helmet subsidy
• Toshima Ward: helmet subsidy
• Nerima Ward: helmet subsidy
• Adachi Ward: ¥3,000 helmet discount
• Edogawa Ward: helmet subsidy
• Tachikawa City: helmet subsidy
• Musashino City: helmet subsidy
• Ome City: helmet subsidy
• Chofu City: helmet subsidy (continued in FY2026)
• Fuchu City: helmet subsidy (applications closed)
• Japanese version of this page (日本語版)

Checked with official pages on October 27, 2026 (Japan time).