Kyoto Introduces a Tourist Tax of Up to 900%: How Much Will Guests Now Pay.

Kyoto Raises Tourist Tax by 900%

According to The Sun: In Japan, the city of Kyoto plans to increase the tourist tax by 900%, which will affect all vacationers. This measure is part of the government's strategy to combat tourism overloading in the city and will take effect in the spring of next year.

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Details of the New Tourist Tax

Kyoto is one of the most popular cities in Japan, having welcomed 56.06 million visitors last year, including 10.88 million foreign tourists.

To reduce the number of international travelers, the government is introducing a new tourist tax for guests who stay overnight in the city. The tax will be charged per night in hotels, hostels, and other accommodations. There are exemptions for participants in school excursions and those attending events at certified childcare facilities.

According to information from Euro Exchange, the new rates could reach 50 pounds per night, which would correspond to a 900% increase in some cases. Currently, the tax is 4.92 pounds, but starting March 2026, tourists may pay up to 49.23 pounds.

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A report by The Independent states that those who pay less than 6000 yen (29.50 pounds) will continue to pay 200 yen (1 pound) per night. Meanwhile, tourists staying at luxury hotels and spending over 100000 yen will pay 10000 yen (49.23 pounds), which is ten times the current rate.

The government expects the new tax to generate 12.6 billion yen annually.

Experiences from Kyoto

A writer who visited Kyoto shared her impressions:

“My journey to Japan begins in Kyoto, and although it is only early spring, the cherry blossoms are already blooming at the UNESCO World Heritage site Ninna-ji, a temple founded in 888.”

 

“There we see Buddhist monks in orange robes and visit the Northern Garden with white sand and ponds covered with water lilies. The entrance costs 3 pounds.”

 

“We had lunch at Ganko: Takasegawa Nijoen, a house built by a wealthy merchant in 1611.”

 

“Our epic meal of sushi and sashimi became even more unforgettable with the appearance of a geiko - a woman who has dedicated her life to the art of entertaining clients with traditional Japanese arts - and her 17-year-old apprentice.”

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Those who do not plan to visit Kyoto anytime soon can find a piece of this Japanese city in London. The Kyoto Garden in Holland Park, opened in 1991, has become a favorite spot among Londoners seeking tranquility in a cozy place amid the hustle and bustle of the city.

In the garden, you will find a waterfall, a pond with koi carp, stone lanterns, and Japanese maples. Stone bridges cross the pond, creating a great opportunity for photographs.

The company TUI plans to open its first hotel in Japan on one of the snowiest islands in the world.

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The tourist tax for overnight tourists will take effect in March 2026.

In Kyoto, a city with countless temples and gardens, this change in tax policy aims not only to increase financial revenues but also to reduce the burden on local infrastructure suffering from numerous visitors. The situation requires careful monitoring to understand how the new tax will affect tourist flow and the local economy.