Japan Triples Departure Tax to ¥3,000 from July 2026
Japan is tripling its international departure tax from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per person with effect from 1 July 2026. The levy applies to every international departure by air or sea, meaning the increase hits every visitor regardless of how long they stay or where they travel within the country.
The government has stated that the additional revenue will fund overtourism countermeasures: improved crowd management at popular sites, multilingual support at attractions, and promotion of travel to lesser-known rural areas.
Kyoto’s accommodation tax
Separately, Kyoto introduced a new tiered accommodation tax in March 2026. High-end hotels are now charged up to ¥10,000 per room per night, with rates scaled to room price. The tax applies to accommodation booked through any channel and is collected by the property at check-out. If you are staying in Kyoto, check whether your hotel has included this in the quoted rate or whether it will be charged on top at departure.
The tax is a direct response to overcrowding in Gion and other historic neighbourhoods, where visitor volumes have at times blocked traffic and disrupted residents.
Both cities are monitoring their own accommodation tax structures as part of a national push to spread visitor spending more evenly. At time of publication neither had matched Kyoto’s tiered approach for high-end stays, but new local levies are under active consideration. If you are building a multi-city itinerary, budget for potential accommodation surcharges alongside the national departure tax increase.
What it adds up to
For a family of four leaving Japan after a two-week trip, the departure tax change alone means an additional ¥8,000 (roughly £40 / $52 at mid-2026 rates) that was not a factor a year ago. Combined with Kyoto accommodation levies, the total added cost for a week in Kyoto followed by a week in Tokyo is likely to reach ¥20,000–¥30,000 per couple, depending on accommodation category.
We cover cost-saving strategies in our Japan budget travel guide, including how to use the Japan Rail Pass effectively to reduce day-to-day transport spend.
Visa note
Japan’s eVISA system expanded on 15 May 2026 to include nationals residing in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA, among others. If you have not yet travelled to Japan on the eVISA system, check whether your nationality now qualifies before applying through a consulate, as the digital route is typically faster.