Japan has been dominating travel plans for more than a hot minute now, whether it is for its food, eclectic museums, or tightly packed shopping streets that reward unplanned wandering. But as the country continues to sit high on global bucket lists, the cost of visiting is beginning to catch up. From 2026, travellers heading to Japan will find themselves paying more at multiple touchpoints of their journey. Kyoto, one of the country’s most visited cities, is set to introduce a new hotel tax, while visa processing fees are under review for a steep increase. Even leaving the country will come at a higher price, with plans underway to triple Japan’s departure tax. Together, these changes signal a shift in how Japan is pricing tourism, and what a future trip there may cost this year.
Kyoto hotel tax to take effect from March
Kyoto will introduce Japan’s highest-ever hotel tax from March 2026, adopting a tiered structure based on room rates. The levy will range from ¥200 (approximately Rs115) per night for budget accommodation to as much as ¥10,000 (around Rs5,765) per night at luxury properties. City authorities have framed the tax as a way for visitors to “share the cost” of tourism management in one of Japan’s most visited destinations. Revenue from the tax will be channelled into transport upgrades, visitor etiquette campaigns, and a new express bus service connecting Kyoto Station to Higashiyama’s temple district. Officials estimate the tax will generate ¥12.6 billion (about Rs725.75 crore) annually, nearly double the city’s previous hotel tax collections.
Departure tax to triple
Travelling out of Japan is also set to become more expensive. The Japanese government and ruling coalition are considering a proposal to raise the departure tax, formally known as the international tourist tax, from the current ¥1,000 (around Rs577) per person to ¥3,000 (Rs1,730) or more. Introduced in 2019, the tax is levied uniformly on all travellers departing Japan, including Japanese nationals travelling overseas for work or leisure. It is automatically included in airline and ferry tickets. If approved, the revised rate will come into effect from July 2026, with the increased levy applying per person, per departure.
Increase in visa processing fees
Visa costs could also rise under Japan’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal, approved on December 26 by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet. Among the figures currently under discussion is a processing fee of ¥15,000 (Rs8,650) for a single-entry visa, a fivefold increase from the current fee of around ¥3,000 (Rs1,730). For multiple-entry visas, the fee could be set as high as ¥30,000 (Rs17,300). The government has stated that it will seek public feedback before finalising the revised amounts, leaving room for adjustments before the changes are formally implemented.
AloJapan.com