Final Fantasy 14 Players in Japan Can Get a Giant Dog Mount by Paying Their Taxes

Final Fantasy 14 players in Japan now have a unique opportunity to earn in-game items, including the Megashiba Mount, by paying their real-life taxes. This is part of Japan's Hometown Tax initiative (Furusato Nozei), which allows taxpayers to redirect a portion of their residence tax to other regions in exchange for gifts. Launched in 2008 to support rural areas, the program now offers a wide range of rewards, from local snacks to digital items. Recently, Shibuya Ward partnered with Square Enix to offer Final Fantasy 14 rewards, as reported by Famitsu. Players can choose from six reward sets: three costume sets (Majitek Attire, Collegiate Attire Skirt and Slacks) for 7,000 yen ($43) each, four dance emotes for 11,000 yen ($68), five Phials of Fantasia for 17,000 yen ($105), and the Megashiba Mount for 9,000 yen ($56). The Megashiba Mount is a giant rideable dog, a nod to Shibuya's famous Hachiko statue. While Hachiko was an Akita, not a Shiba Inu, the connection is clear. The Collegiate Attire costumes also fit Shibuya's youth culture vibe. For non-Japanese players, these items are available on the Final Fantasy 14 online store.