Japan Triples International Tourist Tax To Combat Over Tourism; Visa Fees Up 5X.

Tokyo; July 2026: The Japanese government yesterday (Wednesday – 01st July 2026) has tripled the departure tax to 3,000 yen (1758 INR) per person to fund measures against issues arising from the surge in inbound tourism.

Fees for foreigner visitors who need visas to enter Japan were also hiked yesterday (Wednesday – 01st July 2026) rising fivefold (5X) to 15,000 yen (8790 INR) for single-entry and 30,000 yen (17580 INR) for multiple entries. Meanwhile, on the same day, the government reduced passport application fees for Japanese nationals to make up for the added burden from the departure tax.

The tax is collected through travel ticket purchases, regardless of the passenger’s nationality. The government will use the tax income primarily to finance measures aimed at easing congestion, such as setting up designated areas at popular photo spots that are often crowded with foreign tourists. It will also support regional tourism initiatives, such as turning local railways into tourist attractions and renovating station buildings, in an effort to attract visitors away from heavily congested areas.

Travelers transiting through Japan and staying less than 24 hours in the country, as well as children under the age of 2, are exempt from the tax. Passengers who purchased their travel tickets by Tuesday (30th June 2026) were charged the previous departure tax of 1,000 yen (586 INR).

Known officially as the international tourist tax, it raised about 49 billion yen (28,71,74,10,400/- INR) in fiscal 2025 ended March and is expected to generate around 130 billion yen (76,18,31,07,000/- INR) in fiscal 2026. The tax is collected by airlines, cruise lines and travel agencies upon purchase of air and sea tickets departing Japan and remitted to the government, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

The hike in entry visa fees was the first increase since 1978. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said earlier the fees were raised to reflect inflation and the yen’s depreciation, and that the move is not expected to have an immediate impact on inbound tourism.

Japan’s visa fees had been considered low compared with those charged by other Group of Seven (G7) countries.

The charge for applications at designated counters such as passport centres for a 10 years passport dropped to 9,300 (5450 INR) yen from 16,300 yen (8553 INR) for applicants aged 18 or older. The fee for 05 years passports for applicants aged under 18, which previously varied by age, was standardised at 4,800 yen (2813 INR).

For applications completed online, fees were further discounted to 8,900 yen (5216 INR) and 4,400 yen (2579 INR), respectively. The reduced fees are also aimed at increasing Japan’s passport ownership rate, which has remained low compared with those of other major advanced countries.

Team Maverick.