Visitors planning a trip to a stunning city known for its breathtaking scenery and vibrant heritage will soon encounter a substantial surge in tourist taxes.
Kyoto in Japan has been a popular destination for global tourists due to its charming streets, traditional tea houses, and scenic countryside. However, the city has been grappling with overtourism as it strives to manage the influx of visitors.
To address the challenges of overtourism, Kyoto is implementing new measures. The city witnessed over 10 million tourists last year, a 53% increase from the previous year. While there has been an existing tourist tax of around £5 per night per visitor, it is set to skyrocket to nearly £50 (£48.92) per person per night. This elevated fee will apply to guests staying in upscale hotels and is anticipated to take effect from early 2026, representing a staggering 900% increase in costs for tourists.
Kyoto has been proactive in managing the surge of holidaymakers in its scenic areas. Since 2019, there has been a prohibition on tourists taking photographs in the historic Gion district. Although some locations like Hanamikoji Main Street are exceptions, locals raised concerns about tourists venturing into private areas and capturing images without permission. Subsequently, the authorities enforced a photography ban, with violators facing fines of 10,000 Japanese Yen (approximately £49).
Last year, the ban on entering private alleys for photography was reinforced. Isokazu Ota, a Gion Southside District councilor, highlighted the threat to livelihoods posed by overcrowding in the narrow alleys, endangering both residents and visitors.
Warning signs have been placed in private zones to deter visitors, urging them not to picnic on private properties. Tourists have also been cautioned against photographing geishas in the city without seeking their consent first. Termed as the ‘maiko paparazzi,’ tourists tail local maiko and geisha, waiting outside teahouses where they work. With apprentice geisha often being young teenagers, safety concerns have escalated following incidents of them being pursued by strangers for photos.
Sora News, a Japanese publication, emphasized the challenges faced by the Gion area, which, despite being a residential and work hub for locals, has been treated more like a tourist attraction, with geisha and maiko often being chased and photographed.
In the past, Kyoto authorities issued an ‘etiquette guide’ for visitors to navigate local customs and exhibit appropriate behavior.
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