Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart and one of its most photographed cities, is taking a bold step to reclaim its peace and preserve its heritage. After years of grappling with swelling crowds, narrow lanes jammed with selfie sticks, and residents struggling to keep up with visitor traffic, the city has announced Japan’s highest-ever hotel tax—a decisive measure aimed at balancing its booming tourism economy with sustainability.
From March 1, 2026, visitors checking into Kyoto’s hotels, ryokans, and guesthouses will find a new addition to their bill: a tiered accommodation tax that scales with the cost of the stay. The move, approved by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on October 3, 2025, follows months of discussion and growing concern about the strain overtourism is placing on Kyoto’s infrastructure and cultural integrity.
Japan welcomed a record-breaking 36.9 million international visitors in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic highs by over 15 per cent. For Kyoto—a city of temples, tea houses, and timeless machiya townhouses, this influx has been both a blessing and a burden. Tourism remains central to the local economy, yet the sheer volume of visitors has begun to erode the very charm that draws them here.
From the geisha lanes of Gion to the tranquil bamboo groves of Arashiyama, overtourism has translated into littered streets, overcrowded temples, and rising frustration among residents. Kyoto’s leadership, aware that unchecked popularity could turn the ancient capital into a theme park version of itself, has opted for a new kind of control, one rooted in accountability rather than restriction.
Under the revised system, travellers will pay a tiered hotel tax based on their nightly room rate. The more luxurious the stay, the higher the contribution toward the city’s preservation efforts. Stays priced above YEN 100,000 per night (around INR 58,000) will include a YEN 10,000 (INR 5,800) tax, while mid-range rooms between YEN 50,000 and YEN 99,999 will attract a YEN 4,000 (INR 2,322) charge. Standard stays priced from YEN 20,000 to YEN 49,999 will see a YEN 1,000 (INR 580) levy, budget rooms between YEN 6,000 and YEN 19,999 will incur YEN 400 (INR 232), and low-cost stays under YEN 6,000 will pay YEN 200 (INR 116) per night.
This marks the first increase since the city introduced its accommodation tax in 2018. The revenue is expected to more than double, rising from YEN 5.2 billion (INR 301 Crore) to YEN 12.6 billion (INR 730 Crore) annually—a significant boost to Kyoto’s budget for public infrastructure and cultural conservation.
So where will this extra money go? Kyoto officials have already outlined clear priorities: improving public transport, strengthening waste management, and investing in heritage preservation. The city also plans to expand multilingual information services, promote lesser-known attractions to ease pressure on hotspots, and even introduce an express bus route linking Kyoto Station with temple-heavy districts like Higashiyama.
These projects are not just about visitor comfort; they’re about long-term sustainability. The tax ensures that tourism revenue directly contributes to maintaining Kyoto’s identity—a city where modernity and tradition coexist with dignity. For travellers, it’s a small price to pay to preserve the serenity of Kinkaku-ji’s golden reflection or the hush of a Zen garden in spring bloom.
Kyoto’s move mirrors a growing global trend of destination accountability. From Thailand’s 300 Baht tourism tax to the Netherlands’ entry fees for certain heritage sites, popular destinations are rethinking how to manage crowds without shutting doors to visitors. What makes Kyoto’s initiative noteworthy is its balance—it neither discourages travel nor indulges excess. Instead, it asks every guest to play a role in the city’s story of renewal.
While some critics fear higher prices could affect travel demand, experts suggest otherwise. Moderate tourism taxes rarely deter visitors, especially when travellers see that their contributions enhance the places they love. For many, Kyoto’s policy only deepens the experience, turning a night’s stay into an act of cultural preservation.
As Japan sets its sights on attracting 60 million visitors by 2030, Kyoto’s new model could serve as a blueprint for sustainable tourism across Asia. The city that once symbolised Japan’s ancient grace may now become its modern example of responsibility—a destination that welcomes the world, but not at the expense of its soul.
1. When does the new tax take effect?
Kyoto’s revised hotel tax will be implemented from March 1, 2026, after receiving official government approval.
2. Why is Kyoto introducing this change?
The city aims to manage overtourism and ensure visitors help fund maintenance of public spaces and cultural landmarks.
3. How much will travellers pay?
Rates will range from YEN 200 (INR 116) for budget rooms to YEN 10,000 (INR 5,800) per night for luxury stays.
4. How will the revenue be used?
Funds will go toward transport upgrades, waste management, and preservation of heritage sites.
5. Will this impact visitor numbers?
Experts say the effect will be minimal, as the fee is modest and helps improve Kyoto’s overall visitor experience.
