Japan Rolls Out New Accommodation Taxes To Control Tourism Surge And Promote Sustainable Travel

In a bold move to enhance its tourism revenues and tackle overtourism in the country, Japan has introduced new accommodation taxes across nine cities and two prefectures. On March 21, Japan’s Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Seiichiro Murakami approved the new tax and here’s all you need to know about it.

Japan Introduces Accommodation Taxes To Control Overtourism

According to Kyodo News, Japan has introduced new accommodation taxes in Miyagi and Hiroshima prefectures, as well as five cities in Hokkaido, two in Gifu Prefecture, and one each in Miyagi and Shimane prefectures. It is to be noted that this isn’t the first time that a local government in Japan has introduced such taxation measures to control overtourism in the country. As per reports, with this new introduction, the total number of local governments that have similar accommodation taxation measures has climbed to 24.

Set to take effect in the fall of 2025, these new taxations aim to control the impacts of rising tourist numbers and ensure the long-term sustainability of Japan’s tourism sector. The accommodation tax amounts in Japan will range from 100 yen (₹57) to 500 yen (₹286) per person per night, varying by local government. However, students on school trips will be exempt from these charges.

This new accommodation taxation initiative aligns with the lodging tax first introduced by Tokyo in 2002. Since then, 11 local governments like Osaka and Kyoto have implemented similar measures. More recently, Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture announced a similar tax. It will be introduction in April 2025, followed by Akaigawa village in Hokkaido later in November.

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All You Need To Know About This New Move

One of the biggest reasons to implement new accommodation taxes in Japan is its booming tourism sector. In February 2025, Japan recorded 3 million foreign tourists, an impressive 16.9% increase from February 2024. This significant surge was fueled by events like the Lunar New Year celebrations, which saw a rise in visitors from China and other Asian countries.

While most foreign tourists travel to Japan’s metropolitan regions like Tokyo, Aichi, and Kansai, the government is keen to encourage a more balanced spread. The growing number of tourists at urban hotspots is creating challenges for local infrastructure and residents. To ease pressure on crowded cities, Japan’s tourism authorities are implementing measures to promote rural areas. They aim to encourage travellers to explore less-visited regions. The Japanese authorities are also mindful of sustainable practices that respect both local communities and environmental concerns.

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