Japan will triple its international tourist tax from ¥1,000 (about US$6.20) to ¥3,000 (about US$18.60) from 1 July 2026, increasing the departure charge paid by most travellers leaving the country by air or sea.
The revised levy, often referred to as Japan’s departure tax or “sayonara tax”, is intended to help fund tourism infrastructure as visitor numbers continue to grow.
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The increase was confirmed by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and the National Tax Agency. The tax applies to both international visitors and people departing Japan, with limited exemptions.
The departure tax was introduced in 2019 at ¥1,000. It is normally included in airline or ferry ticket prices, meaning travellers do not usually pay it separately at the airport.
At today’s exchange rate, ¥1,000 is worth about US$6.20, while the new ¥3,000 charge is equivalent to about US$18.60.
Funding tourism infrastructure
According to JNTO, revenue from the higher tourist tax will be used to expand and improve tourism infrastructure across Japan.
The organisation says the additional funding will support measures that improve the visitor experience while helping destinations manage rising tourism demand.
The tax comes as Japan continues to experience strong inbound tourism following the reopening of international travel. A weaker yen has also helped make the country more attractive to overseas visitors in recent years.
JNTO describes the charge as “a one-time fee” collected when travellers leave Japan. Unlike accommodation taxes charged by some cities, the international tourist tax is not based on hotel stays or the cost of accommodation.
Part of wider tourism measures
The higher departure tax forms part of a broader effort by Japan to manage growing visitor numbers while investing in transport, digital services and tourism facilities.
Several Japanese cities, including Kyoto, have also introduced or increased local accommodation taxes in recent years to support infrastructure and address pressures associated with overtourism.
Although proposals to increase the departure tax to as much as ¥5,000 were discussed during policy debates in 2025, the government has confirmed that the nationwide rate will increase to ¥3,000 (about US$18.60) from July 2026.
Japan’s international tourist tax remains a flat-rate charge regardless of ticket class or nationality, with exemptions applying in limited circumstances, including certain transit passengers and eligible diplomatic travellers.
Impact on travellers
For most travellers, the practical impact will be limited because airlines and ferry operators generally collect the tax when tickets are purchased.
The higher levy will simply become part of the total ticket price for departures on or after 1 July 2026.
For travel businesses, airlines and tour operators, the change means updating pricing information and ensuring customers understand that the increased departure tax is a government levy rather than an airline surcharge.
With Japan expecting continued growth in international arrivals, the revised tourist tax reflects a wider global trend of governments using visitor levies to fund tourism infrastructure and improve destination management while supporting long-term growth in the travel sector.
