DestinationsJapan’s ancient capital is introducing its steepest hotel tax yet.

A pricier stay awaits in Kyoto

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Kyoto will have the highest hotel tourist tax in Japan, over other busy cities like Osaka and Tokyo.
Kyoto will have the highest hotel tourist tax in Japan, over other busy cities like Osaka and Tokyo. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/f11photo

Hotel stays in Kyoto just got a little more expensive. The city has approved Japan’s steepest hotel tax to date, which could hit 10,000 yen (US$65.6) per person, per night, starting March 2026.

From March next year, new rates will range from 200 yen to the maximum cap of 10,000 yen, across five tiers. On the lowest tier, the city will collect 400 yen for accommodations charging between 6,000 yen to 20,000 yen. The highest tax rate of 10,000 yen will apply for accommodations charging 100,000 yen and above nightly.

Currently, the existing range lies between 200 yen to 1,000 yen per night, which has been in place since the city introduced a three-tiered accommodation tax system in 2018.

School trip students with chaperones will remain exempt.

Kyoto has been in the news in recent times, as officials continue to find ways to combat overtourism.

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