Popular Asian destination hiking tourist tax and here's what Canadians will pay

Canadian travellers heading to Japan will soon face higher fees to stay in one of the country's most popular cities.

Japan remains a popular destination for tourists from Canada. According to the Japan National Tourism Office of Toronto (JNTO), a record 580,000 Canadians visited Japan in 2024, representing a 36 per cent increase from the previous year.

But if you're planning a trip to Kyoto, be prepared to pay a much higher accommodation tax in the coming months. The new rate will reach up to ¥10,000 (C$91.59) a night per person — the highest accommodation tax ever introduced in the country, reports The Asahi Shimbun.

Kyoto first implemented the tax in October 2018 to help improve the city's infrastructure, and on Oct. 3, officials approved the steep hike that will take effect on March 1, 2026.

Known for its Shinto shrines, gardens, and geisha culture, Kyoto has long been a popular destination for tourists. However, in recent years, the ancient city has been struggling with the impact of overtourism.

The per-person tax hike isn’t too bad if you're staying in budget accommodations, but it goes up significantly for more luxurious spots.

The Asahi Shimbun

The increase is expected to generate an estimated ¥12.6 billion (approximately C$115.4 million) in the next fiscal year. The money raised will be used to enhance the visitor experience in Kyoto, including providing more information services in various languages, implementing etiquette campaigns, and introducing a new bus route from Kyoto Station to the popular Higashiyama District.

"Tourists also must bear the cost of countermeasures against overtourism," stated city officials.

This isn't the first time that Kyoto officials have taken action to control the effects of tourism in the city.

In April, tourists were banned from entering private alleys in Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district, after reports of visitors harassing geishas for photos.

Elsewhere in Japan, local officials in the town of Fujikawaguchiko blocked a popular view of Mount Fuji as tourists crowded sidewalks and disrupted traffic to capture an iconic shot of a Lawson convenience store with the mountain in the background.

Popular destinations in Greece and Mexico have also begun charging tourists fees to mitigate the impact of tourism.