Japanese tourist hot spot Kyoto to hike hotel taxes

KYOTO – The authorities in Kyoto announced on Jan 14 plans for a big hike in hotel lodging taxes, as Japan’s picture-perfect ancient capital seeks to assuage grumbles from locals about too many tourists.

Japan has seen foreign tourist numbers explode post-pandemic, with visitor numbers in 2024 expected to have hit a record of more than 35 million.

But like other hot spots worldwide such as Venice or Maya Bay in Thailand, this is not universally welcome – in particular in tradition-steeped Kyoto.

The city, which is a modest bullet train ride away from Tokyo – with a view of Mount Fuji on the way – is famed for its kimono-clad geisha performers and Buddhist temples.

For rooms in Kyoto priced at 20,000 yen (S$174) to 50,000 yen a night, visitors will see their tax double to 1,000 yen per person per night, under the plans announced on Jan 14. For accommodation over 100,000 yen a night, it will soar tenfold to 10,000 yen.

The new levies will take effect in 2026, subject to approval from the city assembly.

“We intend to hike accommodation tax to realise ‘sustainable tourism’ with a high level of satisfaction for citizens, tourists and businesses,” a statement said.

Cigarette butts

From Tokyo to Osaka to Fukuoka, major metropolises already levy on tourists a few hundred yen per night for accommodation.

Kyoto residents have complained of tourists harassing the geisha like paparazzi, in their frenzy for photos to wow their Instagram followers.

Tensions are highest in the Gion district, home to teahouses where “geiko” – the local name for geisha – and their “maiko” apprentices perform traditional dances and play instruments.

In 2024, the authorities moved to

ban visitors from entering certain

narrow

private alleys in Gion

after pressure from a council of local residents.

One member previously told the Japanese media about an instance of a maiko’s kimono being torn, and another who had a cigarette butt put in the collar of her pristine outfit.

In 2019, the Gion district council put up signs saying “no photography on private roads”, warning of fines of up to 10,000 yen.

According to a recent survey, Kyoto residents are also unhappy about traffic congestion and misbehaviour by travellers.

“I appreciate tourists visiting the city, but there are also some downsides like the impact on the environment,” resident Daichi Hayase told AFP, welcoming the new taxes.

“But it doesn’t mean the city should impose excessive taxes. Tourists are coming despite painful inflation,” the 38-year-old photographer said.

Australian tourist Larry Cooke, 21, said: “If there’s a burden on the infrastructure, I do think taxing tourists is a good idea.”

But he said the city had to find the “right balance”.

Fuji blocked

Tourists have been flocking to Japan since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, drawn by its sights, culture, nature and also the weak yen.

The authorities have also taken steps beyond Kyoto, including introducing an

entry fee and a daily cap

on the number of hikers climbing the famous Mount Fuji.

This appeared to work, with preliminary figures showing the number of climbers down by 14 per cent in the summer hiking season from July to September 2024.

In 2024,

a barrier was briefly erected

outside a convenience store with a spectacular view of Mount Fuji that had become a magnet for photo-hungry visitors.

And in December, Ginzan Onsen, a Japanese hot spring town popular for its photogenic snowy scenes,

began a trial scheme of limiting entry to day trippers

.

Only people staying at local hotels are allowed to enter the town after 8pm, while those wishing to visit between 5pm and 8pm will need a reservation. AFP