Missed Prime Day in July? Good news — Amazon Japan just confirmed its big fall sale.
Prime Appreciation Sale 2026 (プライム感謝祭) kicks off with an early-access window on Tuesday, October 13. If you’ve been thinking about replacing an old Echo, this is your next real chance this year.
This is a fall update to our July guide, “Amazon Prime Day 2026 in Japan: Time to Replace Your Old Echo?“
1. The short answer: shop October 13–19
Here are the official dates (Japan time):
- Early deals: Oct 13 (Tue) 00:00 – Oct 15 (Thu) 23:59
- Main event: Oct 16 (Fri) 00:00 – Oct 19 (Mon) 23:59
There’s also a points-boost campaign. Enter, spend a combined ¥10,000 or more during the event, and you get extra Amazon Points (capped at 10,000 points). Entry is open from Sep 24 (Thu) 14:00 to Oct 19 (Mon) 23:59.
💡 Tip: The points boost only applies if you enter first. Do that before you shop! The sale itself is for Prime members only.
2. What changed since July
A few things have moved in the last three months that matter if you’re picking an Echo.
Alexa+ is now in 12 countries — still not Japan
According to Amazon’s announcement on September 16, 2026, Alexa+ launched in India, joining the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Brazil, France and Australia — 12 countries in total.
Amazon says it will expand to “more than 10 additional countries in 2027,” but Japan isn’t named, and there’s still no date for Japanese-language Alexa+.
So the logic is the same as in July: buying a new Echo now gets you a faster, better device today and keeps you ready for Alexa+ later. It doesn’t mean you can use Alexa+ in Japanese right away.
No new Echo models in 2026
As of late September, Amazon hasn’t announced any new Echo models for Japan this year. The newest lineup is still the fall 2025 generation — Echo Show 8 (2025), Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio.
If you were holding out for a new model, there’s no reason to keep waiting.
Sale prices aren’t known yet
Discounts and eligible models are only revealed when the sale starts. Always check the current price on the Amazon page on the day — we don’t publish price predictions here.
3. First, check: does your Echo support Alexa+?
Amazon has said some first-generation Echo devices will never get Alexa+. If yours is on this list, replacing it is the only way to get Alexa+ in the future:
- Echo (1st & 2nd Gen)
- Echo Dot (1st Gen)
- Echo Plus (1st Gen)
- Echo Show (1st & 2nd Gen)
- Echo Spot (1st Gen)
- Amazon Tap / Echo Buds (1st Gen)
Not sure about your model? Check our “Does Your Echo Work with Alexa+?” guide.
4. Echo Show 5 vs 8 vs 11 at a glance
Note that Echo Show 8 comes in two versions: the 2024 3rd Gen and the 2025 model.
| Model | Released | Screen | Chip | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) | 2023 | 5.5″ | Previous gen | Bedside, first Echo |
| Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen, 2024) | 2024 | 8.0″ HD | AZ2 | Best value |
| Echo Show 8 (2025) | 2025 | 8.7″ HD | AZ3 Pro | 8-inch, built to last |
| Echo Show 11 (2025) | 2025 | 10.95″ Full HD | AZ3 Pro | Living room & video |
All four support Alexa+ (once it arrives in Japanese). Think of the chip generation as the difference in responsiveness and how well each is optimized for Alexa+.
5. Which one should you get?
Bedside or your first Echo → Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)
Small enough for a nightstand. If you mainly want alarms, weather and music, it’s all you need — and the cheapest way in.
Best all-round value → Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen, 2024)
8-inch HD screen, 13MP camera, spatial audio and a built-in smart home hub (Zigbee, Matter, Thread). Perfect if you want a solid screen device and don’t care about the newest chip.
8 inches, built to last → Echo Show 8 (2025)
The new AZ3 Pro chip makes it noticeably snappier, and it’s designed with Alexa+ in mind. With no new models in 2026, this is still the latest generation.
Living room entertainment → Echo Show 11 (2025)
A 10.95-inch Full HD screen makes Prime Video and YouTube feel tablet-sized. Great for watching while you cook or for family video calls.
6. Four tips for sale day
- Enter the points campaign first — entry closes Oct 19
- Add models to your Wish List so you can spot price drops instantly
- Don’t skip the early deals — some items drop from Oct 13
- Plan for your old Echo — Amazon will recycle it for free (see the next section)
7. What to do with your old Echo: Amazon recycles it for free
Once your new Echo arrives, the easiest way to retire the old one is Amazon’s official recycling program. Amazon covers both shipping and recycling costs.
- Reset the device: in the Alexa app, select the device and choose “Reset” to wipe your personal data
- Request recycling: sign up via Amazon Japan’s electronics recycling page and you’ll get an order number
- Ship it cash-on-delivery by Yu-Pack: book a Japan Post pickup, or drop it off at a post office or convenience store that handles Yu-Pack
💡 Tip: Three things to know. 1) Devices are never returned once sent — covers and SD cards included. 2) Products with lithium-ion batteries (like Echo Buds) can’t be recycled if damaged; follow your local disposal rules instead. 3) There are no in-store drop boxes — sign-up is online only. Only Amazon devices and official accessories are accepted.
8. Quick recap
- Prime Appreciation Sale 2026: early deals Oct 13, main event Oct 16–19
- Points boost requires entry (by Oct 19)
- Alexa+ is in 12 countries; Japanese support still unannounced
- No new Echo models in 2026 — fall 2025 models are the latest
- First-gen Echos will never get Alexa+ — a good moment to upgrade
The sale won’t last long. Enter the campaign now and check your favorite models as soon as it starts!
▼ Shop the models (check current prices on Amazon)
This article is based on hands-on testing by the author. AI tools such as Claude were used to assist with research and drafting, and the author reviewed the content before publishing.