Japan hikes tourist departure tax and visa fees to manage over-tourism

Travelers visiting Japan will now face higher costs as the government has significantly increased both its departure tax and visa fees. Effective July 1, the tax levied on individuals leaving the country has tripled from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen, roughly equivalent to 18 euros. This fee is automatically added to ticket prices and applies to all travelers, with exceptions for those in transit for less than 24 hours and children under two.

This move is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the negative effects of excessive tourism. Japanese authorities plan to allocate the increased revenue towards improving tourism management. Initiatives include establishing specific zones for photography at popular attractions and developing tourism in less crowded areas to distribute visitors more evenly and alleviate pressure on well-known sites.

In parallel, visa application fees have also seen a substantial hike. A single-entry visa now costs 15,000 yen (around 81 euros), a fivefold increase from previous rates. Multiple-entry visas are now priced at 30,000 yen. According to Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, these are the first visa fee adjustments since 1978, driven by inflation and the yen's depreciation. To offset the burden on its citizens, the government has simultaneously reduced passport issuance fees.

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This is the first increase in visa fees since 1978.