New fees to budget for your next trip to Japan
Japan has tripled its departure tax to ¥3,000 and raised visa fees fivefold since 1 July 2026, making this summer the first to feel the impact of the country’s tighter tourism funding strategy.
Japan is rethinking the way it welcomes visitors. With tourist numbers climbing toward a historic 42.4 million inbound visitors in 2025, the government launched on 1 July 2026 a new set of pricing measures to raise funds for local infrastructure, curb over-tourism and position the country to host up to 60 million visitors annually by 2030.
For international travellers—especially our clients who need consular paperwork—the changes reshuffle planning and travel budgets from day one. Our agency has gathered the latest rules you must know before you leave.
The International Tourist Tax triples: how will you pay?
The International Tourist Tax (formerly known as the departure tax) applies to everyone leaving Japan, regardless of nationality. On 1 July 2026 the flat fee jumped from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000.
Old rate: ¥1,000
New rate: ¥3,000
💡 Agency tip
You will not need to queue at airport or seaport desks. The charge is automatically added to your airline or cruise ticket at purchase.
Already booked before 1 July 2026? Flights and sailings purchased prior to that date remain exempt from the increase.
Japanese visas: application fees multiplied by five
Short-term tourism visas have seen their government fees soar to align with American and European benchmarks—roughly €90–€100/$100-110.
Visa type | Old fee (before 1 July 2026) | New fee (from 1 July 2026) |
Single-entry (Entrée Simple) | 3 000 ¥ | 15 000 ¥ |
Multiple-entry (Entrées Multiples) | 6 000 ¥ | 30 000 ¥ |
Is the hike affecting you?
✅ Yes, if you’re from a country that normally needs a visa.
The list covers the majority of travellers, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and most African nations. (China alone represented more than 70 % of short-term visa applicants in 2025).
❌ No, if your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry.
Short-term tourists from 74 countries and territories—including every EU member state, the US, Canada and South Korea—do not require a visa.
Why the steep increases?
The two fee hikes weren’t taken lightly. Revenue from the International Tourist Tax should nearly triple from around ¥50 billion to ¥120 billion yearly, directly funding over-tourism controls in hotspots such as Kyoto and Mount Fuji.
Curbing over-tourism: collected funds will ramp up visitor management and marketing campaigns to dissuade crowding.
National feel-good: in a bid to soften domestic criticism, Tokyo simultaneously slashed its own passport fee from ¥15 900 to ¥8 900.
Planning a Japan trip in 2026 now demands an early and realistic budget plus a spot of administrative legwork. Double-check your eligibility, complete any visa steps, and have a safe journey to the Land of the Rising Sun. For questions, contact the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website offers e-visa guidance.
As a customer relations manager, my responsibilities include processing and tracking visa applications. I stay up to date with travel news, including new entry requirements and the specifics of different visa types.
