Japan tourist tax

There’s no doubt that Singaporeans love visiting Japan – especially with cheap flights there. But even though the year has just begun, you might not want to wait until December to travel there, as changes to Japan’s tourist tax are rolling out throughout the year. Keep these changes in mind when planning your next escape – these could mean extra costs if you put off your trip for too long.

Accommodation tax

From 1st March 2026

Image for illustrative purposes only. Image credit: Yanhao Fang via Unsplash

The accommodation tax isn’t a new tax implemented in Japan – whether you know it or not, it might’ve been included when you paid for your hotel stay. But there will be a tax hike in certain cities.

If you’re visiting Kyoto after 1st March 2026, you will need to pay an increased accommodation tax up to ¥10,000 (~S$81.12/night). It’s the city’s way of managing overtourism, with these levies being used to improve infrastructure and...