New Japan Tourist Fees 2026: Departure Tax, Hotel Taxes & More

Several visitor costs in Japan changed in 2026. The departure tax rose from 1,000 to 3,000 yen on 1 July 2026, Kyoto replaced its accommodation tax with a five-band system on 1 March 2026, and tax-free shopping switches to a refund system on 1 November 2026. Tokyo has announced a percentage-based hotel tax for April 2027.

This roundup is as of September 2026, built from official and news sources listed at the end. Fees can change, and individual hotels and venues set their own details, so confirm anything expensive before you book.

Summary table

Fee or rule	What changed	When	Who it affects
Departure tax	1,000 yen rises to 3,000 yen per person	1 July 2026	Everyone leaving by air or sea
Kyoto accommodation tax	200 to 10,000 yen per person per night by price band	1 March 2026	Anyone staying in Kyoto City
Tokyo accommodation tax	Currently 100 or 200 yen; 3% above 13,000 yen announced	April 2027 (announced)	Guests staying in Tokyo
Tax-free shopping	Refund method replaces exemption at the register	1 November 2026	Shoppers at tax-free shops
JESTA	Law passed; system not yet running	Target fiscal 2028	Visa-exempt visitors, later

How much is the new Japan departure tax?

Since 1 July 2026 the International Tourist Tax is 3,000 yen per person on each departure from Japan by air or sea, up from 1,000 yen. It applies regardless of nationality, so Japanese residents pay it too. Airlines and cruise or ferry operators generally add it to the ticket price, so you usually will not pay it separately at the airport.

The Japan Tourism Agency says a transitional measure applies the old 1,000 yen rate if you depart on an eligible ticket issued on or before 30 June 2026, and that infants under 2 are exempt. One secondary guide also lists some short-stay transit passengers as exempt; I could not confirm that on an official page. If you are unsure, check your fare breakdown, where the tax often appears as a line item, or ask your airline.

What is Kyoto's new accommodation tax?

Kyoto City revised its accommodation tax for stays from 1 March 2026. The rate is per person, per night, by the accommodation charge:

Accommodation charge per person per night	Tax per person per night
Under 6,000 yen	200 yen
6,000 to under 20,000 yen	400 yen
20,000 to under 50,000 yen	1,000 yen
50,000 to under 100,000 yen	4,000 yen
100,000 yen or more	10,000 yen

Kyoto's official tourism site confirms the bands and the March date. It describes the basis as the accommodation fee per person per night, so hotels decide how to apply it to your booking; ask if you are near a band boundary. As an example, a couple on a 40,000 yen room would pay 20,000 yen each per night, which falls in the 1,000 yen band, so 2,000 yen a night in total (assuming the room rate is split equally). If you are planning around the season, see our autumn leaves 2026 forecast for Kyoto.

What are the Tokyo, Osaka and other accommodation taxes?

Accommodation taxes are set locally, so amounts vary by city.

Tokyo: Currently nothing under 10,000 yen per person per night, 100 yen from 10,000 to under 15,000 yen, and 200 yen from 15,000 yen up. Tokyo has announced a switch in April 2027 to 3% of the room charge for stays above 13,000 yen, including private rentals, according to Japan Today (July 2026). Earlier coverage in November 2025 said it still needed approval, so treat the details as subject to confirmation.
Osaka Prefecture: Since 1 September 2025, no tax under 5,000 yen, then 200 yen (5,000 to under 15,000), 400 yen (15,000 to under 20,000) and 500 yen (20,000 and above), per the Osaka tourism bureau.
Other cities: Kanazawa charges a flat 200 yen and Fukuoka 250 yen in total (municipal plus prefectural), per one travel guide. Other places, including Kitakyushu and Nagasaki, also levy taxes at different rates. Check each hotel.

How is the accommodation tax usually paid?

Osaka's official page says guests pay the tax to the hotel, which collects it. Accommodation taxes generally work this way across Japan: the property collects it from you, so it may not be included in the price you see when booking. One guide notes that smaller hotels and ryokan often collect it in cash at check-in or check-out. Read your booking confirmation to see whether it is included. If you are unsure, use our guide on how to call a Japanese hotel to ask what will be charged on arrival.

Other 2026 fees and rules visitors may notice

Tax-free shopping: From 1 November 2026, you pay tax-inclusive prices and claim a refund at the airport within 90 days. Read the full explainer: Japan tax-free shopping changes in November 2026.
Himeji Castle: From 1 March 2026 adult admission is 1,000 yen for residents of the city and 2,500 yen for non-residents, per the Visit Himeji site. Under-18s are free.
Mount Fuji: The climbing fee is 4,000 yen per person in the 2026 season, according to Japan-Guide, with online reservations required. The 2026 season has ended, so plan for 2027 once dates are announced.
Shibuya littering fines: Shibuya Ward began handing out on-the-spot fines of 2,000 yen for littering from 1 June 2026, per the Japan Times and Japan Today, focused on areas around Shibuya, Harajuku and Ebisu stations. Cashless payment is accepted. This applies only in that ward, so check local rules elsewhere.
JESTA: The travel authorization law passed in 2026, but it is not live and no fee has been set. See our JESTA explainer.

I did not find a verified source for other new nationwide visitor fees, so they are left out.

How should I budget for the new fees?

Departure tax: Confirm it is in your fare and, if not, allow 3,000 yen each.
Accommodation tax: Multiply the per-person rate by the number of guests and nights. In Kyoto, that can add up to several thousand yen over a multi-night mid-range stay. Carry some cash in case a smaller property collects it that way.
Shopping: Expect to float 10% on tax-free purchases until the refund arrives, and possibly receive less if the refund provider charges a fee.
Attractions: Look up prices for major castles and hikes; some now charge non-residents more.
Add a small buffer: A few thousand yen per person covers most surprises.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay the departure tax at the airport?

Usually not. Airlines and ferry operators generally include it in the ticket price. Check your fare details if you want to be certain.

Does the Kyoto tax apply to Airbnb and guesthouses?

I could not confirm the rules for private rentals in Kyoto from an official page. Ask your host or the booking platform what is charged and how. Tokyo's announced 2027 change does say private rentals will be included.

Is Japan's tourist tax the same as the accommodation tax?

No. The International Tourist Tax is the departure tax. Accommodation taxes are local charges for hotel stays.

Do I need to apply for JESTA for a 2026 or 2027 trip?

No. It is not operating yet, and there is nothing to apply for.

Will Tokyo really change its hotel tax in April 2027?

It has been announced, but confirm current details with Tokyo Metropolitan Government sources closer to the date.

Let Moshimo make the call

Fee questions often come down to one phone call: does your hotel collect the accommodation tax at check-in, in cash or by card? Can a shop explain its tax-free refund process? With Moshimo you write your question in your own language, review it before it is sent, and Moshimo calls the business in Japanese and returns the answer in the app. What you learn depends on what the business tells us, and Moshimo cannot guarantee outcomes. Get Moshimo

Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-29.