Kyoto Cracks Down on Tourism

This isn't Kyoto's first attempt to manage its immense popularity; the city has grappled with what locals term "tourism pollution" for years. Before the pandemic, issues like residents being unable to board city buses crowded with tourists, overflowing trash cans, and the harassment of geiko and maiko (Kyoto's geishas and their apprentices) in the historic Gion district had become common grievances. Previous countermeasures included launching tourist-only bus lines and promoting lesser-known attractions to disperse crowds. The new tax structure, effective March 1, 2026, creates five tiers based on the nightly accommodation cost per person. While the 200 yen tax for rooms under 6,000 yen remains, rates for all other tiers increase. For rooms between 20,000 and 50,000 yen, the tax doubles to 1,000 yen, and for rooms priced at 100,000 yen or more, the tax skyrockets from 1,000 to 10,000 yen per person, per night. City officials project the revised tax will nearly double the annual revenue from approximately 5.9 billion yen to 12.6 billion yen. Mayor Koji Matsui has stated the funds will be used to create a "sustainable tourism city" for both residents and visitors. Specific plans include enhancing public transportation, widening pavements in high-traffic areas, and upgrading public facilities to handle the visitor volume. The revenue is also earmarked for the preservation of the city's many historical and cultural assets, including its UNESCO World Heritage sites. This includes funding for the conservation of traditional buildings and supporting the industries that maintain Kyoto's unique culture. The city also plans to expand multilingual information services and launch etiquette campaigns for tourists. The sharpest increases are aimed at the luxury travel market. Some in the tourism industry worry this could deter high-spending visitors, while others, like Avi Lugasi, owner of a Kyoto-based tour company, believe those willing to pay for high-end accommodations won't be swayed by the additional tax. The tax applies to all stays from March 1, 2026, regardless of when they were booked, a point of contention for some travelers who had reserved rooms far in advance. This tax is just one component of Kyoto's evolving tourism strategy. The city is also considering a two-tiered pricing system for its municipal bus network, which would offer a lower fare for residents who use a transit card linked to their national identification number. This could see tourists paying nearly double the local rate for the same bus ride in the future.