Kyoto sets Japan's highest per-person hotel tax up to 10000 yen

Kyoto will impose Japan's highest per-person accommodation tax, charging up to 10,000 yen per night at the most expensive hotels, after national authorities approved a city ordinance designed to curb overcrowding and raise funds for tourism management. The tiered levy, scheduled to take effect in March 2026, will range from a modest fee for budget lodging to the maximum charge for stays priced above 100,000 yen per night, with student groups exempted from the fee.

City officials and the national Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said the increase is intended to finance measures to make tourism more sustainable and to offset pressures on public services and cultural assets. Officials estimate the revised tax regime will yield roughly 12.6 billion yen annually, compared with the smaller sums the city has collected under the current system that was introduced in 2018. Mayor Koji Matsui said the revenue will be used to "build a sustainable tourism city," adding that the move aims to benefit both visitors and residents.

The decision follows a marked rebound in travel to Japan and rapid growth in visitors to Kyoto in recent years. National figures show international...