Japan has announced an increase in its International Tourist Tax from JPY 1,000 to JPY 3,000 per departing traveller, effective July 1, 2026. The additional revenue will be invested in enhancing the country’s tourism infrastructure, improving visitor convenience, promoting regional destinations, and preserving cultural and natural heritage.
Under the revised system, the tax will apply to all travellers departing Japan by air or sea. However, a transitional measure will allow the existing JPY 1,000 tax rate to apply to passengers travelling on eligible tickets issued on or before June 30, 2026. Infants under the age of two will continue to be exempt from the tax.
The International Tourist Tax is generally collected by airlines and shipping companies as part of the ticket price and remitted to the Japanese government.
According to the government, revenue from the revised tax will be allocated across three priority areas.
The first focuses on creating a more comfortable and stress-free travel environment through measures to reduce congestion and improve passenger flow. Planned initiatives include park-and-ride pilot programmes, smart waste bins to discourage inappropriate behaviour, self-service baggage drop facilities, and walk-through immigration gates to facilitate faster airport processing.
The second area aims to strengthen the promotion of Japan’s diverse tourism attractions. Initiatives include joint advertising campaigns with airlines to promote destinations across the country, dedicated information on the Horticultural Expo through the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), and participation in consumer travel exhibitions and promotional events.
The third priority is the development of tourism resources by preserving and enhancing local cultural and natural assets. Planned projects include restoring historic streetscapes, underground installation of utility lines, beautification works, development of exhibition facilities for culturally significant sites, maintenance of hiking trails and related visitor facilities, and public exhibition of important cultural properties such as the Former Mikasa Hotel.
