Kyoto and Himeji hike fees
Reports on April 13 say Kyoto has raised accommodation taxes — with luxury stays potentially facing up to 10,000 yen per night — and that Himeji Castle admission prices are doubling as part of Japan’s 2026 overtourism measures. (nomadlawyer.org) The Traveler’s coverage places those hikes in a broader bill proposing higher departure taxes and other tourist fees aimed at managing visitor numbers. (thetraveler.org)
Kyoto has raised its hotel tax, and Himeji Castle now charges adults 2,500 yen to enter as Japan tightens tourism fees. (kyoto.travel) Kyoto’s new accommodation tax took effect on March 1, 2026, replacing its old three-tier system with five bands. Stays under 6,000 yen are taxed at 200 yen, while stays of 100,000 yen or more now carry a 10,000 yen tax per person, per night. (kyoto.travel; city.kyoto.lg.jp) Kyoto says it has collected the tax since October 1, 2018, and uses the money for tourism promotion and “sustainable urban development” for residents and visitors. The city announced the 2026 change on February 26, 2026. (kyoto.travel) Himeji Castle also changed prices on March 1, 2026. Standard admission for people age 18 and older rose from 1,000 yen to 2,500 yen, while Himeji residents age 18 and older still pay 1,000 yen and anyone under 18 now enters free. (city.himeji.lg.jp) Himeji says the higher fee will fund 10 years of maintenance, preservation repairs, and site improvements at the World Heritage castle. The city also started full digital ticketing, added an annual pass for 5,000 yen, and said part of the revenue will support inbound and digital upgrades. (city.himeji.lg.jp; himejicastle.jp) These changes land as Japan’s national government moves to charge visitors more at the border as well. The Ministry of Finance’s fiscal 2026 draft budget calls for raising the International Tourist Tax, Japan’s departure tax, from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen to strengthen overtourism measures and ease airport and transport congestion. (mof.go.jp) The local and national measures target different parts of the same trip. Kyoto taxes overnight stays, Himeji raises entry to a major heritage site, and Tokyo is seeking a higher per-person levy when travelers leave Japan. (kyoto.travel; city.himeji.lg.jp; mof.go.jp) Himeji paired the fee increase with new visitor rules inside the paid area. From March 1, 2026, pets are no longer allowed in the ticketed zone, except guide and hearing dogs, and the castle began handing out shoulder bags for shoes and small belongings during tower visits. (city.himeji.lg.jp) For travelers heading to Kansai now, the price changes are no longer proposals. Kyoto’s higher lodging tax and Himeji’s new castle fees both took effect on March 1, 2026, and Japan’s national departure-tax increase is sitting in the fiscal 2026 budget plan. (kyoto.travel; city.himeji.lg.jp; mof.go.jp)
