Japan Expands Tourist Tax: Pay More to Stay in Kyoto, Hokkaido, and Beyond

Travelers to Japan will soon pay more for hotel stays in nearly 30 new areas. Local governments are introducing a new nightly tax to manage the surge in tourists. The city of Kyoto and Hokkaido prefecture are the most famous locations adopting the charge this year. The tax will also start in other popular destinations like the hot spring town of Beppu and the historic city of Kamakura. Each local government sets its own rules. The fee is typically between 100 and 2000 yen (approximately $1 to $13 USD) per person, per night. It is often added directly to your hotel bill. Officials say the money funds projects to improve the visitor experience. This includes keeping tourist sites clean, supporting local culture, and improving transportation. Japan’s national government began a similar departure tax in 2019. The new local taxes mean travelers now contribute twice: once when leaving the country and again at their destination. Tourism to Japan has recovered strongly since the pandemic. The new taxes aim to help popular destinations handle the large number of visitors sustainably.