This move will increase costs for passengers leaving Japan by air or sea.
This revenue, often called the "Sayonara tax", is now already included in air and ferry ticket prices, so passengers do not need to pay separately at the airport or port.
According to the new rate, the tax will apply to most people leaving Japan, including international tourists, Japanese citizens and people with working or studying visas.
Children under 2 years old are tax-exempt, as are transit passengers eligible to leave Japan within 24 hours.
In addition, there is a transitional regulation: the old 1,000 yen tax rate is still applied to eligible tickets issued before or on June 30, 2026.
Revenue from tax increases will be used to improve the tourism environment, improve access to attractions and strengthen information services for international tourists.
However, the higher exit tax is only a part of the total cost. Many major destinations in Japan currently apply residence tax, collected directly at hotels and varies depending on the locality.
In Tokyo, the residence tax is usually 100 yen/person/night for rooms from 10,000 to under 15,000 yen, and 200 yen for rooms from 15,000 yen or more.
In Osaka, the fee ranges from 100 to 300 yen depending on the room rate per night.
Meanwhile, Hokkaido has started applying the stay tax from April 1, 2026, adding an additional fee contribution to the locality for tourists staying here.
The tax increase is explained by Japan as aimed at upgrading tourism infrastructure and reducing pressure at crowded destinations, amid growing concerns about tourism overload.
For tourists, this means travel costs to Japan will increase from July. The combination of higher exit tax and existing stay tax rates increases the total travel costs, especially for long journeys or travel through many cities.
