Japan’s government has granted final approval for Kyoto to implement the nation’s highest-ever hotel tax, authorising the historic capital to charge guests up to 10,000 yen (US$68) per person, per night at luxury hotels from next March in a bid to rein in rampant overtourism.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications gave the green light to the move on Friday, removing the last bureaucratic barrier after Kyoto’s city assembly endorsed the proposal earlier this year.
The new tax regime, which scales from 200 yen for budget accommodation to 10,000 yen for stays priced above 100,000 yen per night, will far surpass the current maximum levy of 1,000 yen.
