The 2026 Japan
Visitor Guide

These are the dates most travelers should care about.

Two-tier pricing means there are two posted prices for the same thing based on your status. In Japan, definitions can vary - sometimes it is "city resident vs everyone else" (not "Japanese vs foreign").

Confirmed Example: Himeji Castle (Effective March 1, 2026)

Himeji Castle (pronounced HEE-meh-jee) will charge:

How to Minimize the Impact

• Treat major admissions as a fixed-cost bucket and focus savings on lodging and transport
• If you are traveling with teens, remember under-18 admission becomes free at Himeji
• Consider the combined ticket if you also want Koko-en Garden

Kyoto City will revise its accommodation tax rates starting March 1, 2026. The tax is charged per person, per night, and is based on the nightly accommodation charge (room + service, excluding meals and consumption tax).

What an "Average" Traveler Pays

Most visitors are NOT paying 10,000 yen per night. That top tier hits ultra-luxury stays where the per-person nightly rate is 100,000+ yen.

For typical mid-range hotels, your per-person nightly rate often falls under 20,000 yen - that means 400 yen (about $2-3) per person per night. Even many "nice" hotels land in the 20,000-50,000 yen tier, which is 1,000 yen (about $6-7) per person per night.

Quick Estimator (Use This When a Hotel Price is Per Room)

1. Take the total nightly room price (excluding breakfast if it is itemized)
2. Divide by the number of guests to estimate the per-person accommodation charge
3. Match that number to the tier table above

Examples

• A 30,000 yen room for 2 people - about 15,000 yen per person - 400 yen each (800 yen total)
• A 60,000 yen room for 2 people - about 30,000 yen per person - 1,000 yen each (2,000 yen total)
• A 120,000 yen room for 2 people - about 60,000 yen per person - 4,000 yen each (8,000 yen total)

How to Minimize the Impact (Without Ruining Your Trip)

• Stay in Osaka (or Otsu) and day-trip to Kyoto if you want to optimize cost
• If you stay in Kyoto, choose a great mid-range property and spend on experiences instead of an ultra-luxury nightly rate
• Many hotels collect the lodging tax at check-in - do not be surprised if it appears separately

Japan currently charges an International Tourist Tax of 1,000 yen per person when departing Japan. Tax reform materials propose raising it to 3,000 yen to fund measures against overtourism.

What This Means in Practice

• It is usually built into the fare and taxes on your airline ticket (not paid at the airport counter)
• If it moves to 3,000 yen, the net difference vs today is +2,000 yen (about $13) per person
• It applies to everyone departing Japan (including Japanese citizens), not just foreign visitors

Japan is moving from instant tax exemption at the register to a refund-based system. You will pay consumption tax at purchase, then complete refund procedures before departure.

Why the System is Changing

• It ties the tax benefit to actual export (refund after departure procedures)
• It reduces incentives for resale inside Japan under the umbrella of tax-free purchases
• It can increase verification for high-value items

What Changes for You

• Before Nov 1, 2026: Tax-free is usually instant - you see the discount at checkout (with passport)
• From Nov 1, 2026: You pay the tax at checkout, then claim it back during departure procedures

The Smooth Traveler Workflow

1. At the store: Bring your passport. Keep receipts and store documents.
2. Do not cut it close: Avoid large purchases on your final morning.
3. At the airport: Plan extra time for refund procedures (like a VAT refund line).
4. Keep items accessible: You may need to present items for inspection or scanning.
5. Then shop after security: Airport duty-free should still work normally - great for last-minute items.

Most 2026 pain will come from crowd pressure and dynamic hotel pricing, not from a single fee. Here is what experienced travelers do.

High-Leverage Tactics

• Book the hard stuff first: Kyoto hotels, peak-week transport, timed-entry attractions
• Use weekday anchors: Tokyo/Kyoto on weekdays; flexible nature days on weekends
• Start early: Popular areas are a different world before 9:00 AM
• Sleep outside the epicenter: Osaka for Kyoto, Yokohama for Tokyo, Otsu for Lake Biwa access
• Carry a plan B list: 3 backup temples, 3 backup neighborhoods, 3 backup food streets

Peak Seasons to Know

• Late March - Early April: Cherry blossom season (most crowded)
• Golden Week (late April - early May): National holiday week
• Obon (mid-August): Summer holiday period
• Late October - November: Autumn foliage season
• New Year's (Dec 28 - Jan 3): Many businesses closed

PokePark KANTO is a Pokemon-packed Trainer's Area located within Yomiuriland Amusement Park in Tokyo. Opening events begin February 5, 2026 and it is likely to attract heavy demand.

How to Visit Without Stress

• Aim for weekdays and earlier time slots if you can
• Buy tickets ahead of time if timed-entry is in effect
• Do not combine it with a same-day must-do in central Tokyo unless you are comfortable moving fast
• If you do not care about Pokemon: avoid Tokyo weekend hotel peaks around major opening weeks

These are not confirmed nationwide rules yet, but they are worth tracking if you are planning late 2026 or beyond.

• Expansion of two-tier pricing to additional major attractions or national museums (reported as being explored for FY2026 in some coverage)
• More municipal lodging taxes and fee increases in heavily visited cities
• More attractions adopting reservation systems or timed entry to manage overtourism