Japan tourist tax 2026:
everything you need to know

Japan has never been more visited than it is in 2026. And as tourism continues to grow, the country has introduced a series of taxes and local fees that every international visitor should know about before they arrive.

None of them are dramatic individually — but together they can add up, and if you're not expecting them, some will appear as surprise charges on your hotel bill. This guide covers everything clearly: what exists, how much it costs, how it's paid, and how to factor it into your budget.

The national departure tax

Japan's national tourist tax is officially called the International Tourist Tax (国際観光旅客税). It was introduced in January 2019 and applies to every person leaving Japan by air or sea.

Important change in 2026: The departure tax is tripling from July 1, 2026. If you depart Japan before July 1, you pay ¥1,000. If you depart on or after July 1, you pay ¥3,000 per person — roughly €16 / £13 / $20 USD.

How you pay: You don't need to do anything separately. The tax is automatically added to the price of your departure flight or ferry ticket. You have almost certainly already paid it without noticing.

Exceptions: Transit passengers who don't clear Japanese immigration, and infants under 2 years old, are exempt.

Accommodation taxes

On top of the national departure tax, many of Japan's major cities charge a nightly accommodation tax (宿泊税, shukuhaku-zei). This is collected by your hotel or accommodation provider and should appear in your booking details.

Tokyo

Tokyo's accommodation tax is calculated per person per night, based on the room rate:

For most travellers in mid-range hotels, this is ¥100–¥200 per person per night — very manageable.

Kyoto

Kyoto has struggled more than any other Japanese city with the pressure of overtourism, and its accommodation tax is the highest in Japan. The rates were revised upward from March 1, 2026:

For most travellers in mid-range hotels (¥15,000–¥30,000/night), expect ¥500–¥1,000 per person per night. Luxury stays can add ¥4,000–¥10,000 per person on top of the room rate.

Osaka

Osaka charges an accommodation tax on a similar sliding scale to Tokyo. Budget for approximately ¥200–¥300 per person per night for mid-range hotels.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima Prefecture introduced an accommodation tax from April 1, 2026. The rate is ¥200 per person per night for rooms priced at ¥6,000 or more. Stays under ¥6,000 per night are exempt.

Other cities charging accommodation tax

As of April 2026, accommodation taxes are in place across approximately 17 prefectures, cities, and towns in Japan. Notable destinations include:

• Hokkaido (prefecture-wide, from April 2026) — ¥100–¥500/person/night
• Sapporo — prefectural tax plus city tax
• Sendai
• Kanazawa
• Takayama
• Fukuoka
• Nagasaki

More cities are expected to introduce taxes from June 2026, including Nagano Prefecture and Kumamoto. When booking, check your hotel confirmation — accommodation taxes must be disclosed at the time of booking.

Local area fees

Beyond city-wide accommodation taxes, certain popular destinations charge their own entry or access fees. These are distinct from temple and shrine entrance fees (which have always existed) — they are newer area-wide charges introduced specifically in response to overtourism.

Miyajima 宮島

The island of Miyajima — home to the famous floating torii gate and one of Japan's most iconic views — charges a ¥100 visitor tax per person. You pay it when purchasing your ferry ticket to the island. It applies to all visitors regardless of age. (An annual pass option is available at ¥500 per person for those visiting multiple times.)

Mount Fuji 富士山

Since May 2024, climbers on the Yoshida Trail — the most popular route up Mt. Fuji — pay a fee of ¥2,000 per person. This applies during the official climbing season (typically early July to early September). Access may also be restricted once daily visitor numbers reach a set limit.

Some viewing areas around Lake Kawaguchiko also now charge small entry fees for access to popular photography spots. Check current conditions before visiting.

Other destinations

Many of Japan's most-visited temples, shrines, and gardens charge entrance fees of ¥300–¥1,000 per person. This is not new in 2026, but it is worth factoring into your budget — especially in Kyoto and Nara, where the major sites all charge admission.

Budget: what to expect for a 10-day trip

Here is a realistic estimate for a 10-day trip covering Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima:

Note: departure tax figures below reflect the new ¥3,000 rate applying to trips departing on or after July 1, 2026.

At current exchange rates (as of April 2026: approx. ¥1,000 = €5.30 / £4.50 / $6.70), that is roughly €48–€74 / £41–£63 / $60–$94 USD in additional costs for a 10-day trip. Noticeable, but not a significant portion of a Japan travel budget.

Do you need travel insurance for Japan?

Yes — strongly. Japan's healthcare system is excellent, but medical costs for uninsured foreign visitors are very high. A single visit to a hospital emergency department can cost hundreds of thousands of yen without coverage.

When choosing travel insurance for Japan, look for: high medical coverage (at least €1,000,000), emergency repatriation cover, and coverage for adventure activities if you plan to ski or climb Mt. Fuji.

Frequently asked questions