Japan is preparing to raise its international departure tax beginning in July 2026, increasing the fee charged to travelers leaving the country by air or sea. The current departure tax of ¥1,000 per person is expected to rise to ¥3,000, tripling the cost for all departing passengers. This fee will apply to both international visitors and Japanese residents.
The departure tax is typically built into airline and ferry ticket prices, meaning travelers will not need to pay it separately at the airport or port. As with the current system, certain travelers may remain exempt, such as passengers transiting through Japan for a short period without formally entering the country.
Japanese authorities have cited multiple reasons for the planned increase. One major focus is addressing overtourism, as popular destinations across Japan have experienced record numbers of visitors in recent years. The additional revenue is intended to support tourism infrastructure, improve transportation systems, and enhance visitor management in high-traffic areas.
In addition to the higher departure tax, Japan is reviewing other measures that could impact future travel costs. These include the potential introduction of a pre-arrival screening system for travelers from visa-exempt countries, similar to systems used in the United States and Europe. If implemented, this could come with an additional processing fee. There have also been discussions about adjusting visa fees for travelers who require visas to enter Japan.
For travelers planning trips in 2026 or later, these changes are worth considering when budgeting. While the increase may seem modest on its own, combined with other possible travel fees, it could slightly raise the overall cost of visiting Japan.
