Final Fantasy 14 Rewards Japanese Players for Paying Their Real-Life Taxes With a Giant Dog

Final Fantasy 14 players in Japan can now earn in-game cosmetics and items by paying their real-life taxes, as reported by Famitsu. The rewards include the MMORPG’s Megashiba Mount, a giant, rideable dog that has become a popular icon in the game. This initiative ties into Japan’s Hometown tax program, known as Furusato Nozei, which allows individuals to redirect a portion of their residence tax to other regions of the country, even if they don’t live there. In return, participants receive a gift from the region they’ve chosen—ranging from local snacks and traditional handcrafted items to hotel stays and cultural experiences.

The program began in 2008 with the goal of redistributing tax funds to rural, less-populated areas. Today, nearly every municipality in Japan offers some form of reward through the scheme. It's a win-win for both local governments and taxpayers: the former receives more funding, while the latter gets a gift in exchange for tax money they would have paid anyway.

In recent years, some areas have started offering digital rewards as part of the program. For example, last year, Shibuya ward provided in-game currency for popular mobile games like Monster Strike and Kotodaman, as reported by Automaton. Now, Shibuya ward and Square Enix have partnered to offer Final Fantasy 14 players unique rewards through the Hometown tax scheme.

According to the special site, players in Japan can choose from six different sets of in-game items and cosmetics by paying their residence tax. These include:

  • Three costume sets priced at 7,000 yen (approx. $43) each: the Majitek Attire, Collegiate Attire (Skirt), and Collegiate Attire (Slacks) sets.
  • Four dance emotes for 11,000 yen (approx. $68).
  • A set of five Phials of Fantasia for 17,000 yen (approx. $105).
  • The Megashiba Mount for 9,000 yen (approx. $56).

While players outside Japan may not have access to these rewards directly, they can purchase the items through the Final Fantasy 14 online store.

The Megashiba Mount is a particularly fitting reward for Shibuya, a district in Tokyo known for its iconic Hachiko statue. Hachiko was a loyal Akita dog who waited for his owner outside Shibuya Station for nearly a decade after his death. The Megashiba Mount, based on a Shiba Inu, seems to be a nod to Shibuya’s famous canine figure. Similarly, the Collegiate Attire costumes align with Shibuya’s reputation as a hub for youth culture, with its numerous fashion stores, live music venues, cafés, and nightclubs.

This unique partnership between Shibuya Ward and Square Enix highlights the growing trend of integrating local culture with digital experiences, offering a creative and engaging way for players to connect with the real world through their in-game activities.