You Might Have To Pay Extra For Hotels If You're Going To Kyoto Next Year

The Japanese city is planning to introduce a new accommodation tax as early as April next year, as the influx of tourist numbers to the historical city has led to significant stress on public infrastructure.

Two other cities in Japan have already implemented the accommodation tax, namely Tokyo (since 2002) and Osaka (January 2017).

An advisory committee submitted its final report to Kyoto Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa, who supports the tax, on Monday, 7 August. A detailed proposal is expected to be submitted to the municipal assembly in September, with the tax to be introduced by next year at the earliest. The report also recommends for heavier taxes to be imposed at accommodation facilities with higher rates.

However, students on school excursions will be exempted from the tax.

Accoding to Japan Times, Kyoto received a record number of 14.15 million overnight visitors in 2016 compared to 10 million in 2011, with the number of foreign visitors making a significant jump to 3.18 million last year from 520,000 in 2011.

While the surge of visitors is a great tourism boost for Kyoto, it has also led to overcrowding at major tourist sites and hotels as well as at train stations and bus stops.

Full breakdown of Osaka prefecture's accommodation tax system here.