Kyoto is tackling overtourism with a new hotel tax of $65 per night starting in 2026

Japan’s ancient capital is taking radical steps to curb overtourism.

Starting in March 2026, Kyoto will implement Japan’s highest accommodation tax, charging visitors more to stay in hotels, hostels and guesthouses in the city.

Under the new system, tourists at upscale hotels can pay up to 10,000 yen (about $65) per person per night in tourist taxes: a tenfold increase over current rates.

Budget travelers It will also see jumps from about 200 yen to 400 yen (about $1.30 to $2.60), while mid-range rooms will jump from 500 yen to 1,000 yen (about $3.30 to $6.50) per person.

The coastal city gives the green light for a new tax on visitors amid a widespread trend of overtourism

City officials say the additional money is expected to more than double Kyoto’s tourism tax revenue and will go toward managing crowds, preserving cultural sites and relieving pressure on local infrastructure.

Locals rave their neighborhoods are now “like Disneyland” with tourism surging after the Olympics

When submitting a request to raise fees Travel authorities in Kyoto He insisted that tourists should bear the cost of maintaining the attractions that attracted them to the city.

While tourism drives Kyoto’s economy, many residents say the city becomes almost unlivable in peak seasons. The narrow streets are crowded with visitors taking selfies Popular areas Like Gion, known for its traditional tea houses and its geisha, it has tried to crack down on tourists after incidents of trespassing and aggressive photography. Japanese media reported that these efforts were unsuccessful.

“Carbon passports” would track travel and even restrict the way some people take vacations

The new tax aims to fund implementation and reduce friction between visitors and locals, but critics warn it may not be enough. Japan received more than 35 million foreign tourists in 2024, and officials hope that the number will reach 60 million by 2030.

Kyoto is not alone in feeling the pressure. Fox News Digital previously reported that Mount Fuji, another popular destination in Japan, is dealing with its own side effects from the tourism boom.

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Litter, overcrowding, and safety concerns became so severe that officials began calling the landmark “Trash Mountain.”

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Visitors are asked to pack out their trash and respect new community limits, while local authorities seek to protect the mountain’s natural beauty.

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Kyoto’s move may be a sign of what lies ahead in other tourist-heavy areas. As Japan’s popularity rises, cities are forced to choose between economic opportunity and maintaining the peace that made them so popular in the first place.