Kyoto is about to make lodging a lot more expensive for visitors—especially those booking premium hotels. Starting in March 2026, the city will roll out a new tiered accommodation tax that could raise nightly costs by hundreds (or even thousands) of yen for high-end lodging. If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto soon, here’s how this change might affect your budget and travel plans.
📈 What’s Changing: The New Hotel Tax in Kyoto
- The new tax is tiered based on room price—the more expensive your stay, the higher your nightly per-person tax.
- Luxury properties may see a surcharge of up to ¥10,000 per person, per night under the new system.
- Mid-tier stays will also face steep increases. For example, rooms in certain price bands may see taxes jump from a few hundred yen to several thousand.
- Budget properties will still have taxes, but at much lower levels; the lowest-price rooms will only see modest increases.
- This marks the highest accommodation tax in Japan, far surpassing the current maximum of ¥1,000 per night.
- The city is implementing the change to help manage overtourism, ease pressure on infrastructure, and preserve Kyoto’s cultural and environmental integrity.
🎯 How Much More Will You Pay? Examples
Here’s a rough snapshot of how much extra you might pay per night based on room cost (all figures approximate and will vary by hotel):
| Room Price Range | Typical New Tax per Person / Night |
|---|---|
| Under ¥6,000 | ~¥200 |
| ¥6,000 – ¥19,999 | ~¥400 |
| ¥20,000 – ¥49,999 | ~¥1,000 |
| ¥50,000 – ¥99,999 | ~¥4,000 |
| ¥100,000+ | ~¥10,000 |
So for a couple staying in a luxury hotel (¥100,000+), you could pay an extra ~¥20,000 per night in accommodation tax alone.
🧭 What It Means for Travelers
🔍 Budget Your Trip More Carefully
When comparing hotel rates, make sure you factor in these new accommodation tax surcharges. A property that looks “affordable” today may blur into a premium cost once the tax is added.
🏨 Consider Mid-Tier or Boutique Lodging
If you’re trying to stretch your budget, staying at mid-price hotels or guesthouses may save you from the steepest tax brackets. The incremental cost rises much more sharply at the luxury end.
📅 Reassess Timing
If your trip is slated for early 2026, you might want to go before March when the new tax takes effect. After that, the extra cost becomes unavoidable.
🔄 Book Flexible or Refundable Options
Given the added expense, you may want lodging that allows changes or cancellations—so you can pivot if you find a better deal or tax-friendly option.
🔗 Use Your Reward Points Smartly
If you hold hotel loyalty points or transferable travel currencies (e.g. World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy), now is a good time to use them to absorb some of the cost increase. A night “paid in points” might still spare you from the full brunt of the tax surcharge (though some programs may still charge the tax in cash).
✅ Final Thoughts
Kyoto’s decision to hike hotel tax is a bold move to balance visitor demand and preserve local heritage. For travelers, it’s an added cost—but one you can plan for. By booking wisely, staying in less taxed tiers, and leveraging points or loyalty programs smartly, you can still enjoy Kyoto without being blindsided by sticker shock.
pointmetoluxury.com 
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