Kyoto will change the tax amount as shown in the table below from March 1, 2026.

While Kyoto’s tourism industry thrives thanks to its many domestic and international visitors, it also faces overtourism. Roads are congested, and buses are crowded in certain areas during specific periods, while issues around littering and proper etiquette due to overcrowding have also become apparent. These issues affect residents’ lives and the scenery.

Kyoto is currently promoting sustainable urban development and striving to nurture harmony between residents and tourism.
Let’s look at some recent uses of the accommodation tax.

The Sightseeing Limited Express Bus, which was launched in 2024, stops only at major tourist destinations, making it ideal for tourists in a hurry. It operates on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, the Obon and New Year’s vacations, and conveniently stops near Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, Heian Jingu Shrine, and Ginkaku-ji Temple quickly. It is funded in part by the accommodation tax.

At the Kyoto Tourist Information Center (“Kyo Navi”) located at Kyoto Station, multilingual professional concierges are on standby to help visitors with their travels. They offer advice on transportation and travel routes, ensuring enjoyable and smooth sightseeing in Kyoto.

Gion Matsuri is a traditional Kyoto festival with over 1,100 years of history, held every July and rooted in prayers to ward off disease. The elaborately decorated yamahoko floats parading through the city during the event are a spectacular sight. This festival was also designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

Gozan Okuribi is a ritual performed to send off the spirits of the deceased to the afterlife during the Obon festival. On the night of August 16th each year, giant characters and shapes are illuminated by flames on six mountains in the five districts surrounding Kyoto. This magical event is well known as a typical summer tradition in Kyoto.

Anyone can freely view the ritual, but it requires significant expense to ensure absolute safety. The accommodation tax is used so that the event can continue to be held and passed on to future generations.

As you walk through Kyoto’s streets, you will notice the unique Kyo-machiya townhouses, characterized by their beautiful lattice doors and charming tiled roofs. However, because maintaining these structures requires considerable effort and expense, their number is declining more and more each year. By preserving these townhouses, Kyoto can maintain the distinctive, beautiful streets and the charm of the ancient capital of Japan, as seen through a traveler’s lens. To pass on these townhouses to future generations, measures to support owners are being implemented.

The accommodation tax is being used to fund various safety measures, such as movable platform gates, which are progressively being installed at all stations on the Subway Karasuma Line. Their main purpose is to prevent passengers from falling and ensure safety. They also enable young children, the visually impaired, and all other passengers to use the stations with peace of mind.

Other initiatives include:

● Operating the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Japan’s oldest public art museum, which retains its original architecture while showcasing a wide range of artistic genres.
● Maintaining and restoring forests to protect and enhance the natural landscapes of the three mountain ranges surrounding the city: Higashiyama, Kitayama, and Nishiyama.
● Creating opportunities for children with great sensitivity to discover incredible culture and arts to foster the next generation of artists

There are many more initiatives not listed here.

Some initiatives can also be viewed in videos.

We had the opportunity to have a discussion with a staff member from the department handling Kyoto’s accommodation tax. Here are a few words aimed at tourists visiting Kyoto:

“We are truly grateful to everyone visiting Kyoto from around the world. We responsibly use the accommodation tax collected in the city to maintain an environment where we can all enjoy a comfortable and safe stay. We hope all visitors will continue to enjoy the charming city of Kyoto.”

More than an expense, the accommodation tax is carefully utilized as an investment for the future to preserve Kyoto’s beautiful landscapes and traditional culture and to make travelers’ journeys more comfortable. Visitors and residents are all partners who share a love for Kyoto. This system, including the changes from March 2026, serves as a bridge connecting Kyoto’s wonderful appeal to the next generation. We sincerely hope your stay in Kyoto will become your most wonderful memory.