ONE major Japanese city is increasing its tourist tax up to 900 per cent and it will affect all holidaymakers.
The new tax is part of the government’s plan to combat overtourism in the city and will come into effect in spring next year.
The city of Kyoto is implementing new overnight tax for tourists[/caption]
The pretty city is attempting to combat overtourism[/caption]
Kyoto is one of the most popular cities in Japan and last year it welcomed 56.06 million visitors – of this, a record number of 10.88 million were foreign tourists.
In an attempt to reduce the amount of international visitors, the government is putting in place a tourist tax for overnight guests.
The tax will be paid per night by guests staying in inns, hotels and lodgings in the city.
There are exemptions to the tax which includes those visiting as part of school trips, participants in events at certified childcare centres and nurseries, such as chaperones.
According to Euro Exchange, some rates can reach highs of £50 per night which is an increase of 900 per cent in some cases.
Currently, the tax is capped at £4.92, but travellers staying in Kyoto could be paying as much as £49.23 by March 2026 when the ordinance is scheduled to come into effect.
The Independent reported that those paying less than 6,000 yen (£29.50) will continue to pay 200 yen (£1) pppn.
On the other end of the scale at luxury hotels, visitors paying over 100,000 yen will pay 10,000 yen (£49.23) which is 10 times the current rate.
The government expects to make an estimated income of 12.6bn yen per year from the increased taxes.
The new tax rate is set to come into place in March 2026.
Last year, the city had 56 million visitors[/caption]
One Travel Writer visited Kyoto, talking about her visit, she said: “My trip to Japan kicks off in Kyoto, and although it’s only early spring, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom at World Heritage site Ninna-ji – a temple founded in 888 AD.
“There, we catch sight of the Buddhist monks in orange robes, and visit the North Garden, with its white sand and ponds covered in water lilies. Entry costs £3 (Ninnaji.jp)
“Lunch is at Ganko: Takasegawa Nijoen, a house built by a wealthy merchant back in 1611.
“Our epic meal of sushi and sashimi is made even more memorable by the appearance of a geiko – a woman who dedicates her life to her craft of entertaining clients with the traditional Japanese arts – and her 17-year-old apprentice.”
Kyoto Garden is in Holland Park in London[/caption]
For anyone who isn’t visiting Kyoto anytime soon, there’s a piece of the Japanese city in London.
The Kyoto Garden is in Holland Park, it opened in 1991 and was a gift from Kyoto city.
Since then, the garden has gone on to become a favourite spot for Londoners search for some peace and quiet in among the busyness of the city.
The garden is an “an oasis of calm” in the centre of the park, and in it you’ll discover a tiered waterfall, koi carp pond, stone lanterns and Japanese maple trees.
Meandering stepping stones cut a pathway through the pond, providing a perfect photo opportunity for visitors.
For a place to stay, TUI is set to open its first-ever hotel in Japan – on one of the world’s snowiest islands.
Plus read more on one Japanese city by one Sun Writer who visited for skiing and snowboarding.
The city will implement a tourist tax for overnight visitors from spring 2026[/caption]
