Expect to start paying extra for your overnight stays in Kyoto, Japan after its city government announced early this week its plans to raise Kyoto’s accommodation taxes for hotel guests.
Photo by Sorasak on Unsplash
Kyoto has been implementing its tiered taxing system for hotel guests since October 2018, charging as low as 200 yen (Php 75) for rooms costing less than 20,000 yen (Php 7,500) a night and as high as 1,000 yen (Php 377) for rooms costing 50,000 yen and up (Php 18,800). Now, the city will be revising its framework and adding more tiers:
- 200 yen (Php 75) tax for rooms costing less than 6,000 yen (Php 2,200) per night
- 400 yen (Php 151) tax for rooms between 6,000 yen and 20,000 (Php 2,200 to 7,500) yen per night
- 1,000 yen (Php 377) tax for rooms between 20,000 yen and 50,000 yen (Php 7,500 to 19,000) per night
- 4,000 yen (Php 1,500) tax for rooms between 50,000 yen and 100,000 (Php 19,000 to 38,000) yen per night
- 10,000 yen (Php 3,800) tax for rooms costing 100,000 yen or more (Php 38,000+) per night
The reason for the tax increase is reportedly to help support the local tourism industry and improve disaster preparedness.
It will be in effect by March 2026 once approved.
Recently, Kyoto locals have been expressing frustration about overcrowding in tourist spots and local transportation and littering in shrines. It is unclear if this accommodation tax hike aims to address these issues as well.
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