Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world right now, with the country recording its highest-ever foreign tourist arrivals at 36.87 million last year. Out of the 36.87 million international tourists, 506,800 were Malaysians, making 2024 the most tourist arrivals the Land of the Rising Sun has ever seen from our country.
With that in mind, the Japanese Government has announced several measures to curb overtourism and benefit from the skyrocketing number of foreign tourists. These include imposing a higher tourist tax and implementing a ‘two-tier’ pricing system.
Japan introduces accommodation tax to 11 new areas in the country
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Most recently, the Japanese Government also approved the introduction of lodging taxes in 9 cities and 2 prefectures in the country, essentially making accommodations pricier for tourists.
According to the Japan-based publication Kyodo News, Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Seiichiro Murakami approved the introduction of the tax in these areas:
- Miyagi prefecture
- Hiroshima prefecture
- 5 cities in Hokkaido prefecture
- 2 cities in Gifu prefecture
- 1 city in Miyagi prefecture
- 1 city in Shimane prefecture
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The tax amount for the above areas ranges from JPY100 (RM2.93) to JPY500 (RM14.67) per person per night, with details varying according to local government. However, students on school trips will be exempt from the tax.
Prior to Seiichiro’s approval, 12 local Japanese governments already had the tax in place, including Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
Kyoto increases its accommodation tax tenfold
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Speaking of Kyoto, the ancient Japanese capital has been one of the most impacted by overtourism and recently, the city revised its ordinance to increase its accommodation tax tenfold.
On Tuesday (25 March), the Kyoto city assembly approved a significant hike to its lodging tax, increasing the maximum tax rate from JPY1,000 (RM29) to JPY10,000 (RM293) per person per night.
Specifically, from 1 March 2026, Kyoto will charge these rates (per person per night):
- JPY200 (RM5.86) for stays costing under JPY6,000 (RM176)
- JPY400 (RM11.73) for stays costing JPY6,000 to under JPY20,000 (RM176-RM587)
- JPY1,000 (RM29) for stays costing JPY20,000 to under JPY50,000 (RM589-RM1,467)
- JPY4,000 (RM117) for stays costing JPY50,000 to under JPY100,000 (RM1,467-RM2,934)
- JPY10,000 (RM293) for stays costing JPY100,000 (RM2,934) or more
Kyoto intends to use the revenue for measures to deal with overtourism and infrastructure development, including disaster prevention measures.
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Other areas in Japan will follow suit and introduce a lodging tax soon
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Besides all the Japanese areas mentioned above, Atami in Shizuoka prefecture will also introduce the tax next month, while Akaigawa village in Hokkaido will follow suit in November.
Chiba and Okinawa prefectures are also making preparations to introduce the tax.
So, what do you guys think of these measures taken by local governments in Japan? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
