Japan has significantly increased its International Tourist Tax, also known as the departure tax, from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 for all individuals leaving the country. This new levy, which applies to both foreign visitors and Japanese nationals, took effect on Wednesday, July 16, 2026, for bookings made from July 1 onwards.
The measure comes as Japan grapples with a sharp rise in inbound tourism, recording an unprecedented 42.4 million visitors in 2025. The government aims to further boost this number to 60 million annually by 2030.
Funding Overtourism Solutions and Infrastructure
The primary goal of the increased departure tax is to generate additional revenue to combat overtourism and strengthen Japan's tourism infrastructure. The government anticipates annual collections from the tax to rise from approximately ¥50 billion to ¥120 billion. These funds will be specifically allocated to:
- Implementing countermeasures against overtourism in popular destinations.
- Enhancing local infrastructure to better accommodate the growing number of visitors.
- Improving the overall capacity to manage rising tourist arrivals.
The departure tax is automatically included in the price of airline and cruise tickets, eliminating the need for separate payments at airports or seaports.
Changes to Visa and Passport Fees
Alongside the departure tax hike, Japan also adjusted other travel-related fees on the same day:
Tourist Visa Fees Increased
Short-term tourist visa fees have seen a substantial rise:
- Single-entry visas: Increased from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000.
- Multiple-entry visas: Rose from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000.
While travelers from 74 countries and regions, including the United States and South Korea, remain exempt from short-term visa requirements, visitors from nations like China, the Philippines, and Vietnam will be affected. In 2025, Chinese nationals accounted for over 70% of short-term visa applicants. The new visa fees align Japan's charges more closely with those of major travel destinations like the United States ($185) and the European Union (€90).
Passport Fees Reduced for Residents
To offset the impact of the higher departure tax on Japanese residents traveling abroad, the government has reduced passport application fees:
- A 10-year passport application submitted online has been cut from ¥15,900 to ¥8,900.
- In-person application fees have also been reduced by ¥7,000.
These adjustments reflect Japan's strategy to balance the economic benefits of a thriving tourism sector with the need to manage its environmental and social impact on local communities and infrastructure.