Amazon Prime Day 2026 in Japan: Time to Replace Your Old Echo?

If your Echo has started feeling sluggish — or you’re ready to graduate from a screen-less speaker to a proper smart display — the timing could not be better. Amazon devices tend to hit their lowest prices of the year during Prime Day, and Japan’s event is almost here.

1. The short answer: shop July 7–13

Japan’s Prime Day 2026 runs in two phases:

• Early access sale: July 7 (Tue) – July 9 (Thu)
• Main event: July 10 (Fri) – July 13 (Mon)

Echo devices frequently set new low prices during this window, so if you’ve been eyeing a display model, this is your moment.

💡 Tip: Prime Day is members-only, but a 30-day free Prime trial gets you in.

2. Why now is the right time to upgrade

There are two big reasons.

Reason 1: First/second-gen Echoes will never get Alexa+

Amazon officially confirms that certain older devices will never support its next-gen assistant, Alexa+. The main ones (per Amazon US):

• 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)

If yours is on this list, no software update will change that — replacing it is the only path to Alexa+. The good news: Echo Show 5 (3rd gen) and Echo Show 8 (3rd gen, 2024) are compatible, so they’re safe choices.

Not sure about your device? Check our “Is your Echo Alexa+ compatible? Device guide.“

Reason 2: The new generation is simply faster, with a better screen and sound

The autumn-2025 models (Echo Show 8 2025, Echo Show 11) run the new AZ3 Pro chip — noticeably snappier than the old lag, with upgraded displays and spatial audio.

💡 Important (Alexa+ in Japan): Alexa+ has been expanding internationally — as of June 2026 it’s live in nine countries (US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, and France, the most recent, from May 26). But it’s still not available in Japanese, with no announced date. Amazon Japan calls it a top priority after the US/Canada. So buying a new model now means future-ready for Alexa+ plus today’s speed, screen, and sound — not using Alexa+ in Japanese today.

Your old Echo still works, sure — your radio, timers, and weather routines carry over just fine. But adding a screen unlocks recipes, video calls, and photos.

3. Echo Show 5 vs 8 vs 11

Note that the Echo Show 8 comes in two different generations — the 2024 (3rd gen) and the 2025 model.

All four are Alexa+ compatible (pending Japanese-language availability). The chip generation (AZ2 vs AZ3 Pro) reflects how optimized the device is for Alexa+ and how snappy it feels.

Only the Echo Show 11’s ¥32,980 price is confirmed so far. Other discounts won’t be known until the sale goes live — check on the day.

4. Which one is right for you?

Bedside or first-time buyer → Echo Show 5 (3rd gen). Compact 5.5″ display, perfect for a nightstand or kitchen shelf. Alarms, weather, music, quick video calls — covered. The cheapest way in.

Best value, the bestseller → Echo Show 8 (3rd gen, 2024). A consistent top-seller. 8″ HD, 13MP camera, spatial audio, and a smart-home hub (Zigbee/Matter/Thread) — everything you need day to day, at ¥22,980, the most affordable way into the 8″ size. Ideal if you want a capable display and don’t need the newest chip.

💡 Tip: The Show 8 (3rd gen, 2024) is Alexa+ compatible (not on the never-compatible list). It just uses the previous-gen AZ2 chip, so it isn’t “optimized for” Alexa+ like the AZ3 Pro models. Either way, Alexa+ isn’t in Japanese yet.

Newest 8-inch, future-proof → Echo Show 8 (2025). Same 8″ class, but with the new AZ3 Pro chip, a slightly larger 8.7″ screen, snappier performance, and optimization for Alexa+ down the line. Worth it if you want the latest in the 8″ size — the question is whether the ~¥12,000 gap over the 3rd gen is worth it for you.

Living-room entertainment → Echo Show 11 (2025). The 11″ Full HD screen makes Prime Video and YouTube genuinely enjoyable, and spatial audio fills the room. It’s also the only model with a confirmed Prime Day discount (¥32,980, 18% off) so far.

5. How to get rid of your old Echo — Amazon recycles it free

Once your new Echo arrives, Amazon will recycle the old one at no cost.

• Free: Amazon covers shipping and recycling fees
• How: Japan Post pickup, or drop-off at partner convenience stores / post offices
• Steps: ① Factory-reset the device (wipe your data) → ② Apply on Amazon’s recycling page → ③ Ship it

⚠️ Note:

• Once handed over, devices cannot be returned (covers and SD cards included)
• Products with a damaged lithium-ion battery are excluded — dispose of these per local rules
• No in-store drop-off or collection boxes — it’s all done online

6. Bottom line

• Upgrading? Prime Day (July 7 early, 10–13 main) is the year’s best window.
• 1st/2nd-gen Echoes will never get Alexa+ — if that’s you, replacing is the only path.
• Compact → Show 5 / Best value → Show 8 (3rd gen) / Newest 8″ → Show 8 (2025) / Big-screen → Show 11.
• The confirmed deal so far are the Echo Show 5 at ¥5,980 (54% off), Echo Show 8(3rd gen) at ¥¥24,980 (29% off) and Echo Show 11 at ¥32,980 (18% off).
• Recycle the old one free with Amazon.

Deals are time-limited — sign up, and check your shortlist the moment the sale opens.

▼ Check current prices

• Echo Show 5 (3rd gen) 
• Echo Show 8 (3rd gen, 2024) 
• Echo Show 8 (2025) 
• Echo Show 11 (2025)