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Japan’s ancient capital is taking drastic steps to rein in overtourism.
Starting in March 2026, Kyoto will introduce the highest accommodation tax in Japan, charging visitors more to stay in the city’s hotels, inns and guesthouses.
Under the new system, tourists at high-end hotels could pay up to ¥10,000 (about $65) per person, per night, in tourism taxes: a tenfold increase from current rates.
City officials say the extra funds are expected to more than double Kyoto’s tourism tax revenue and will go toward managing crowds, preserving cultural sites, and easing strain on local infrastructure.
When applying to hike the fee, Kyoto travel authorities insisted that tourists should bear the cost of maintaining the very attractions that draw them into the city.
While tourism drives Kyoto’s economy, many residents say the city has become nearly unlivable in peak seasons. Narrow streets clogged with selfie-snapping visitors, and popular districts like Gion, known for its traditional tea houses and geisha, have attempted to crack down on tourists after incidents of trespassing and aggressive photography. Japanese media reports these efforts have been unsuccessful.
The new tax aims to fund enforcement and reduce friction between visitors and locals, but critics warn it may not go far enough. Japan welcomed more than 35 million foreign tourists in 2024, and officials hope to reach 60 million by 2030.
Kyoto isn’t alone in feeling the squeeze. Fox News Digital previously reported that Mount Fuji, another of Japan’s iconic destinations, is dealing with its own side effects of booming tourism.
Trash, overcrowding and safety concerns have grown so severe that officials have begun calling the landmark a “trash mountain.”
Visitors are being asked to pack out their garbage and respect new crowd limits, as local authorities scramble to protect the mountain’s natural beauty.
Kyoto’s move may be a sign of what’s ahead for other tourist-heavy regions. As Japan’s popularity surges, cities are being forced to choose between economic opportunity and preserving the peace that makes them so popular in the first place.
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