Japan has approved its highest-ever hotel tax, set to take effect in Kyoto from March 2026, with guests potentially facing charges of up to £49 per person per night. The tax, confirmed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, aims to ensure tourists 'bear the cost of countermeasures against overtourism.'
The current tax, in place since 2018, caps at £4.9 per night for all guests. Under the new system, rates will vary by hotel type and room price. Luxury hotel guests will pay ¥10,000 (£49) per night. Rooms costing between £246 and £492.6 will incur a £19.7 tax, while those priced between £98.5 and £246.3 will be charged £4.9.
For budget accommodations, rooms costing £29.5 or less will attract a £0.98 tax, and those between £29.6 and £98.5 will see a £1.97 levy per person per night. The tax follows a record 36.9 million international visitors to Japan in 2024, a 15.6% increase from the previous high in 2019.
Kyoto, a former capital and popular tourist destination, has been heavily impacted by rising visitor numbers. Key attractions include the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Kinkakuji and Kiyomizu-dera temples, traditional wooden houses, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Mount Fuji has also faced overtourism issues, prompting new rules from July 2025, including a daily closure from 2pm to 3am and a £20 charge for all four trails.
