Japan will triple its departure tax to 3,000 yen from July 2026 and is preparing new tourist fees, including the JESTA system. Find out who will be affected, how much you will have to pay and how to prepare for your trip

Travel to Japan is gradually becoming more expensive. Starting in July 2026, the country plans to triple the departure tax for all international travelers – regardless of citizenship or purpose of travel. In addition, Japan is preparing to introduce a new pre-travel inspection system and revise visa fees in the coming years.

We tell you who will be affected by the changes, how much you will have to pay and how to prepare for travel in 2026-2028.

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What is the departure tax in force in Japan and what will change in 2026

Japan introduced a departure tax back in January 2019. It is currently 1,100 yen per person, but from July 2026 the amount will increase to 3,000 yen.

The tax will be paid by:

- All travelers aged 2 and over;

- Regardless of citizenship (including Japanese citizens);

- Anyone leaving the country by plane or sea.

There is no need to pay the tax separately - it is automatically included in the price of the flight or ferry ticket.

Exceptions apply only to:

- Airline crew members;

- Transit passengers who are in Japan for less than 24 hours.

Why is Japan raising the tourist tax?

The reason is the rapid recovery of international tourism and congestion in popular destinations.

For the fiscal year ending in March 2025, Japan collected more than 52 billion yen in departure taxes - a record figure since its introduction. By 2026, the government expects tourism tax revenues to reach about 130 billion yen.

The funds are planned to be directed to:

- combating excessive tourism;

- reducing the burden on transportation and urban infrastructure;

- protecting local communities;

- developing sustainable tourism.

What does this mean for travelers from Europe?

The tax increase will affect tourists from all European countries, including:

Iceland, Switzerland, Portugal, Malta, Italy, France, Sweden, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and others.

For most tourists, the additional costs will not be critical, however:

- For budget travelers, the trip will become noticeably more expensive;

- For those who visit Japan frequently, the amount of fees will quickly accumulate.

New costs on the horizon: JESTA

In addition to the departure tax, Japan is planning to introduce JESTA (Japanese Electronic System for Travel Authorization), an electronic pre-authorization system for citizens of visa-free countries.

The system is expected to be operational by 2028.

Prerequisites:

- Online authorization before travel;

- Estimated cost: 2,000 to 3,000 yen per person.

How much will you end up paying?

If both fees are in effect at the same time, travelers will pay:

- 3,000 yen - departure tax;

- 2,000 to 3,000 yen - JESTA.

Total additional costs: approximately 5,000 to 6,000 yen per trip.

What about visa fees?

Japan is also considering raising visa fees for citizens of certain countries, including China and some Southeast Asian countries, in some cases by up to five times.

Short-term travelers from the EU and other visa-free countries will not be affected by these changes.

Will the changes affect Japanese citizens?

Yes. Japanese citizens will also pay an increased departure tax. At the same time, the government is considering reducing the cost of passports for residents to partially offset the increased costs.

Japan is not closing its borders, but it is sending a clear signal: travel is becoming more expensive and regulated.

If you are planning a trip to Japan from 2026: consider additional tourist taxes, monitor the implementation of the JESTA system, plan your budget in advance.

Despite the new costs, Japan remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world - with a unique culture, nature and gastronomy. However, this experience will now have a higher price.

The increase in tourist taxes, new regulations and long flights make insurance especially important. The policy will cover medical care, flight delays and unforeseen expenses during a trip to Japan.

Choose travel insurance on the Visit World portal and go to Japan with peace of mind.

Reminder! Japan is set to introduce new taxes and fees in 2026 to cope with record numbers of tourists and fund education and infrastructure development. Read here how much tourists will pay next year.

Photo – Freepik.com

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