Travelling to Japan in 2026? Leaving the country will soon cost triple as new departure tax kicks in – all you need to know

Travelling to Japan in 2026? Leaving the country will soon cost triple as Japan hikes its departure tax—here’s what travellers need to know before planning their trip.

• Japan will triple its departure tax to JPY 3,000 per person from July 2026
• The tax hike aims to tackle overtourism and boost public finances
• A new travel authorisation fee may also be introduced by 2028

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Travelling to Japan has long been considered great value for money—but leaving the country is about to get more expensive. In a major move aimed at tackling overtourism and easing pressure on public finances, Japan has announced that it will triple its departure tax starting July 2026, marking the first increase since the levy was introduced in 2019.

The International Tourist Tax, commonly known as Japan’s departure tax, will rise from JPY 1,000 to JPY 3,000 per person. The hike will apply to all travellers aged two and above, regardless of nationality, flying or sailing out of Japan. For travellers, this means higher overall trip costs—especially for families and frequent flyers.

What is Japan’s departure tax?

Introduced on January 7, 2019, Japan’s departure tax is charged on every international departure by air or sea. The fee is automatically included in airline and ferry tickets, meaning travellers don’t have to pay it separately at the airport.

The tax applies to:

The tax applies broadly to all international departures from Japan, including Japanese citizens and foreign residents travelling overseas or returning to their home countries. In select cases—such as diplomatic missions or official government travel—exemptions may apply.

Transit passengers may also be affected. Those merely passing through Japan on connecting flights could still be charged the tax, depending on whether they formally depart the country or remain in short-term transit.

Why Japan is tripling the departure tax

Japan’s tourism boom has been nothing short of dramatic. With visitor numbers surging to record highs, popular destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are struggling with crowding, strained transport systems, waste management challenges and rising maintenance costs at cultural and natural heritage sites.

Government officials argue that tourists—who directly benefit from Japan’s world-class infrastructure—should contribute more towards:

• Upgrading airports and transport networks
• Managing congestion in high-footfall areas
• Preserving cultural landmarks and natural attractions
• Promoting sustainable tourism in lesser-known regions

The tax hike also reflects Japan’s broader fiscal strategy. With an ageing population and rising social spending, tourism revenue has become an increasingly attractive way to raise funds without increasing income or corporate taxes.

How much will travellers pay from July 2026?

From July 2026:

New departure tax: JPY 3,000 (approx. USD 20 / INR 1,700+)

Old rate: JPY 1,000

Japanese citizens will also pay the higher fee when travelling abroad. To soften the blow, the government is reportedly considering using part of the additional revenue to reduce passport issuance fees for Japanese nationals.

More fees on the way: Japan’s new travel authorisation system

The departure tax hike may not be the last additional charge travellers face. Japan is also planning to introduce the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (JESTA) by 2028.

JESTA will apply to travellers from visa-free countries and function as a pre-screening system, similar to the US ESTA or Europe’s upcoming ETIAS. The goal is to enhance border security and prevent illegal employment and security threats.

Expected JESTA fee: JPY 2,000–3,000 per person

Once implemented, travellers could end up paying a combined JPY 5,000–6,000 per trip when factoring in both the departure tax and JESTA fee.

What this means for travellers planning Japan trips

For most travellers, the departure tax increase won’t outweigh Japan’s appeal—but it does signal a clear shift. Japan is moving toward a “pay-as-you-travel” tourism model, where visitors shoulder more of the costs associated with managing mass tourism.

Those planning trips from 2026 onwards should factor the higher exit tax into their budgets, especially if travelling as a family or making multiple trips.

Bottom line

Japan’s decision to triple its departure tax reflects a global trend as popular destinations look for ways to manage overtourism while funding infrastructure and sustainability efforts. While the added cost may seem modest on its own, combined with upcoming travel authorisation fees, visiting—and leaving—Japan will soon come at a higher price.

Travellers eyeing Japan in the coming years would do well to plan ahead, budget smartly, and stay informed as the country reshapes how it manages one of the world’s most popular tourism markets.