Japan triples departure tax

Japan will triple its international departure tax to ¥3,000 per person from July 1, 2026, charging more travelers as it tightens anti-overtourism measures. (ftnnews.com) The levy, formally collected on people leaving Japan by air or sea, is currently ¥1,000 and will rise by ¥2,000 for departures on or after July 1. Reports say it applies to both foreign visitors and Japanese citizens, and carriers fold the charge into ticket prices rather than collecting it at the airport. (ftnnews.com) (airtraveler.club) The departure tax is tied to the travel date, not the booking date, so a ticket bought before July can still face the higher charge if the flight leaves on or after July 1, 2026. AirTraveler reports exemptions for infants under age 2 and for transit passengers staying less than 24 hours. (airtraveler.club) Japan introduced the international tourist tax in 2019, and the new increase lands as the country pursues bigger visitor targets while trying to spread crowds beyond the busiest districts. Focus on Travel News said the tax increase was announced alongside new national goals aimed at managing congestion. (ftnnews.com) Kyoto has already moved ahead with its own price changes. Kyoto City’s official tourism site says accommodation tax rates changed on March 1, 2026, with charges now ranging from ¥200 to ¥10,000 per person per night depending on the room price. (kyoto.travel) (city.kyoto.lg.jp) Under Kyoto’s new schedule, stays costing ¥100,000 or more per person per night now face the top ¥10,000 tax, while stays under ¥6,000 are taxed at ¥200. The city says the money supports tourism promotion and sustainable urban development for residents and visitors. (city.kyoto.lg.jp) (kyoto.travel) Himeji has also adopted two-tier pricing at one of Japan’s best-known landmarks. The city’s official tourism site says Himeji Castle began charging ¥2,500 from March 1, 2026, for visitors age 18 and older who do not live in Himeji, while residents of the city still pay ¥1,000. (visit-himeji.com) Those local measures show how Japan’s response is shifting from a single nationwide fee to a stack of charges set by national and city governments. By July, leaving the country will cost more everywhere, while staying in Kyoto or visiting Himeji can already cost more in the places drawing the heaviest tourist traffic. (ftnnews.com) (kyoto.travel) (visit-himeji.com)