Japan is considering introducing a new entry fee for foreign tourists as part of a planned electronic travel authorisation system, with details on potential costs emerging for the first time.
According to Japan’s Kyodo News agency, citing sources familiar with the matter, the government is discussing a charge of between 2,000 and 3,000 yen (around €13 to €20) per person.
The proposed fee would be linked to Jesta, the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization, a mandatory online pre-registration process for travellers from visa-free countries. The system is scheduled for introduction from fiscal year 2028 and would apply to visitors from 71 countries, including Germany.
What Japan’s new Jesta system would mean for travellers
Jesta is designed to function in a similar way to the United States’ ESTA or the European Union’s planned ETIAS scheme. Travellers who currently enter Japan without a visa would need to apply online before departure and receive a digital travel authorisation prior to boarding their flight.
The new system is expected to replace the existing digital arrival cards used by foreign visitors. By shifting checks to before travel, Japanese authorities aim to pre-screen passengers and identify potential risks earlier in the process.
The government’s stated objectives for Jesta include improving security, preventing terrorism, curbing illegal employment and managing the pressures created by record levels of tourism. Japan has seen a dramatic rise in visitor numbers, with more than 40 million foreign travellers visiting the country this year alone.
Balancing security, crowds and the cost of visiting Japan
Officials also expect the system to streamline arrivals at airports and ports of entry. By completing formalities online in advance, travellers could face shorter queues at border control and a faster entry process on arrival, particularly during peak travel seasons.
The proposed entry fee has not yet been formally confirmed, but it would place Japan in the middle range of similar international travel authorisation programmes. Comparable systems in the United States and Canada typically cost the equivalent of between €5 and €30, depending on the country and length of validity.
According to Kyodo News, revenue generated from the Jesta fee would be used in part to support foreign visitors during natural disasters or other emergencies. This is a notable consideration in a country prone to earthquakes, typhoons and other natural hazards, where clear communication and assistance for tourists can be critical.
For travellers, the potential fee represents a modest additional cost rather than a barrier to entry, particularly given Japan’s popularity and the scale of recent visitor growth. However, it does signal a broader shift in how the country manages inbound tourism, moving closer to systems already in place in other major destinations.
Japan reopened fully to international tourism in recent years and has since experienced a surge in demand, driven by a weak yen, expanded flight capacity and strong interest in cultural, culinary and seasonal travel. Cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka have faced increasing pressure from visitor numbers, prompting wider debates about sustainability and crowd management.
If implemented as planned from fiscal year 2028, Jesta would mark one of the most significant changes to Japan’s entry procedures in decades. While the final details remain under discussion, travellers planning future trips may need to factor in both an online application process and a small additional fee when visiting the country.
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AloJapan.com