Kyoto, Japan | Image Credit: Sorasak/Unsplash
In a move to tackle overtourism, Japan’s historic capital Kyoto will implement the country’s highest-ever hotel tax, following final government approvals. From March 1, 2026, staying at a luxury hotel could add up to JPY 10,000 (approximately USD 68) per person in taxes.
Explore the Eternal City like a local with our five-day Kyoto itinerary.
Decoding Kyoto’s sky-high hotel tax
Kyoto set to slap tourists with Japan’s highest-ever hotel tax https://t.co/aileFuriVo
— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) October 6, 2025
Kyoto’s new hotel tax marks a 10 percent jump from the current JPY 1,000 (approximately USD 6.80). If you’re planning a trip to Japan next spring or beyond, be ready for higher hotel tariffs.
Here’s a quick guide to Kyoto’s new hotel tax slab:
JPY 200 (USD 1.33) for stays under JPY 6,000 (USD 39.87) — this remains unchanged.
JPY 400 (USD 2.66) for stays costing JPY 6,000 (USD 39.87) to under JPY 20,000 (USD 132.90).
JPY 1,000 (USD 6.64) for stays costing between JPY 20,000 (USD 132.90) to JPY 50,000 (USD 332.24).
JPY 4,000 (USD 26.58) for stays costing between JPY 50,000 (USD 332.24) to JPY 100,000 (USD 664.49).
JPY 10,000 (USD 66.45) for stays costing over JPY 100,000 (USD 664.49) per night.
The only exceptions to Kyoto’s hotel tax will be students and teachers on school trips.
The additional revenue generated by the new hotel levy will help Kyoto build a sustainable tourism infrastructure, benefitting tourists and locals alike. This includes expanding multilingual information services, launching etiquette campaigns, and a new express bus connecting Kyoto Station with the temple-dotted Higashiyama district, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.
Also read | Welcome Back To Japan: Discover The Best Small Cities For Your Second Trip
This marks the first increase in hotel levies in Japan since the accommodation tax was introduced in 2018. Following Kyoto’s updated hotel tax to tackle overtourism, the lodging tax revenue is expected to roughly double, from approximately JPY 5.91 billion this fiscal year to JPY 12.6 billion next fiscal year, according to a report by The Asahi Shimbun.
(Feature image credit: Sorasak/Unsplash)
Related | Discover the Art of Slow Travel at The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Yashita Vashishth
Assistant Editor – Growth
Writer by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has ..Read Morepreviously worked at Condé Nast India and Times Internet. When not working, you can catch her binge-reading the latest thriller on the block, re-watching Friends, trying a new recipe or hosting her friends. Read Less
AloJapan.com