Leaving Japan now costs more. The International Tourist Tax, often called the departure tax, tripled from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per person on July 1, 2026. It is the first increase since the levy was introduced in January 2019.
Who has to pay?
The tax applies to almost everyone leaving Japan on an international flight or ship, including Japanese citizens. Exemptions include:
- Children under two.
- Transit passengers who depart within 24 hours of arriving.
- Aircraft and ship crew on duty.
How it is collected
You do not pay at the airport. Airlines and shipping companies add the tax to the ticket price, and the National Tax Agency collects it from them.
Japanese media reported a transitional rule: tickets issued on or before June 30, 2026 may still show the old ¥1,000 charge for flights after July 1, depending on the carrier. Travellers who booked early may not have paid the higher rate.
Where does the money go?
The government says the revenue will improve tourism infrastructure, including:
- Airport facilities and faster immigration processing.
- Better access to sightseeing areas.
- Multilingual signs and visitor services.
- Measures to ease overtourism in crowded hotspots.
Part of a wider shift
Japan has welcomed record numbers of foreign visitors, helped by a weak yen. Popular destinations are now looking for ways to manage the crowds and fund services:
- Kyoto and other cities have raised or expanded accommodation taxes.
- Hokkaido has moved toward its own lodging taxes.
- Fees for visas and a future electronic travel authorisation are under discussion.
How much difference does it make?
¥3,000 is about $20 at current exchange rates. For a single traveller, it is a small part of the cost of a trip. For a family of four, the total rises to ¥12,000. Frequent business travellers will notice it more over the course of a year.
Tips for travellers
- Check your ticket breakdown, where the tax usually appears as a separate line.
- Budget for higher hotel taxes in cities such as Kyoto.
- Follow official updates from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), as more fees may follow.
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