Departure tax (International Tourist Tax) rises to ¥3,000 from July 2026: a full guide to the threefold increase
The "departure tax" (official name: International Tourist Tax), which cost ¥1,000 per person when leaving Japan, will be raised threefold to ¥3,000 for departures on or after July 1, 2026. This is the first increase since it was introduced in 2019. Based on primary sources, we have organized "from when, how much, and who pays," "whether there is a way to pay less before the increase," and "what the collected money is used for."
For air or boat tickets purchased (a transport contract concluded) by June 30, 2026, the old rate of ¥1,000 applies even for departures on or after July 1[Norimono News (in Japanese)]. If your summer or Obon travel is more or less settled, completing your booking and ticketing during June can hold down the difference for the whole family (explained below).
What is the departure tax? First, the basics
The International Tourist Tax is a national tax charged as a fixed amount each time you leave Japan by ship or aircraft. It was introduced in January 2019 for the purpose of funding tourism promotion. It is levied not only on tourists but regardless of the purpose of departure — business trips, returning home, study abroad, and so on — and regardless of nationality.
The departure tax is collected already built into the air or boat ticket price from the start. Only when it cannot be added to a ticket, such as a private jet, does the passenger pay it directly to customs[Norimono News (in Japanese)]. Because there is usually no occasion to pay it separately, it is a tax many people bear without ever noticing the increase.
¥1,000 → ¥3,000: how much changes?
Departures through June 30, 2026
Departures from July 1, 2026
The departure tax applies per "departure." Since overseas travel is usually a single departure, only the one-way portion (i.e., the one departure) is covered.
For a family of four — two adults and two children (all aged 2 or older) — traveling abroad:
Until now: ¥1,000 × 4 people = ¥4,000
From July 2026: ¥3,000 × 4 people = ¥12,000
For the same family, the difference is +¥8,000. If you had ticketed during June, ¥4,000 at the old rate would have sufficed.
How to keep it at "¥1,000" before the increase (transitional measure)
This increase has a transitional measure: for portions where a transport contract was concluded (i.e., an air or boat ticket was purchased) by June 30, 2026, it stays ¥1,000 even if the actual departure is on or after July 1[Travel Voice (in Japanese)].
Cases where ¥1,000 suffices
- Departing on or after July with a ticket purchased and issued by June 30
- Booking in advance when summer, Obon, or year-end/New Year travel is settled
- Boarding as is, without changing the booking after purchase
Cases that become ¥3,000
- Purchasing an air ticket on or after July 1
- Even if bought during June, the new rate may apply if you change the flight after ticketing[Norimono News (in Japanese)]
The difference is ¥2,000 per person. Travel with fixed plans can be saved on by ticketing during June, but rushing to book just to lock in the old rate while your schedule is undecided — and then losing money on cancellation fees or changes — defeats the purpose. The smart move is to lock in only trips or business travel that are already confirmed. You can also check the year's tax movements on the tax calendar.
People not charged the departure tax (exemptions)
Everyone leaving the country is covered, but the following people are not taxed[Norimono News / National Tax Agency (in Japanese)].
| People who are exempt | Notes |
|---|---|
| Children under 2 years old | Age is based on the departure date |
| Transit passengers departing within 24 hours of entry | Transit through Japan |
| Crew of ships and aircraft | Pilots, cabin crew, sailors, etc. |
| Those departing on public-use ships or aircraft | Departure on official duty |
| Those who made an emergency landing or port call due to weather or other reasons | An unintended stopover |
| Those who, after departing, turned back to Japan due to weather, etc. | Not deemed the original departure |
| Deportees and certain diplomats, etc. | Exceptions under the system |
Conversely, for ordinary travel such as tourism, business, or returning home, everyone aged 2 or older is subject to the tax.
How much will tax revenue rise? (projected amounts)
With the tax amount tripling, revenue from the International Tourist Tax is also expected to grow significantly.
FY2025 tax revenue
FY2026 projection
In response, the Japan Tourism Agency's FY2026 budget swells to a record-high about ¥138.3 billion, most of which (about ¥130 billion) is funded by the International Tourist Tax[Tourism Agency budget commentary (in Japanese)]. Behind this is the aim of securing funds to cope with the surging number of visitors to Japan (measures against overtourism).
What is the collected money used for? (uses)
The uses of the International Tourist Tax are limited by law to the following three areas. The framing is that it is returned to taxpayers as "building an environment for comfortable travel."
(1) Developing a comfortable travel environment
- Smoother immigration procedures (facial-recognition gates, etc.)
- Making airports and ports stress-free
- Improving the convenience of public transport and signage
(2) Making tourist information easier to obtain
- Fuller multilingual support and guidance
- Communication infrastructure such as free Wi-Fi
- Stronger digital information dissemination
(3) Raising satisfaction with experiences and stays
- Developing tourism resources that make use of local culture and nature
- Attracting visitors to and dispersing demand into regional areas
- Measures against overtourism
The three areas of use are based on the basic policy set by the Japan Tourism Agency (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). The added revenue is to be allocated with priority to measures against overtourism and to strengthening the attraction of visitors to regional areas[Travel Voice (in Japanese)].
Why do "Japanese people" pay too?
"If the aim is measures for foreign tourists, why not tax only foreigners?" is a common question. But the departure tax covers everyone regardless of nationality. The reason lies in the "non-discrimination principle" of tax treaties. Tax treaties include a principle that you must not impose disadvantageous taxation on the basis of nationality, which makes it difficult, in the form of a "tax," to single out only foreigners for taxation[MONEYIZM (in Japanese)].
Separately, there is discussion of an "entry tax" that would ask visitors to Japan to bear a cost on entry. If it is realized, a proposal is being considered to take the form of a "fee" rather than a "tax," to avoid the constraint of the non-discrimination principle[MONEYIZM (in Japanese)]. For future developments, please also see the 2026 tax reform summary.
Summary
FAQ
From when does the departure tax become ¥3,000?
From departures on July 1, 2026. It covers those leaving Japan on or after that day, and it is raised from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per departure. This is the first increase since introduction in January 2019.
Is there a way to pay the pre-increase ¥1,000?
If you purchase your air or boat ticket (conclude a transport contract) by June 30, 2026, ¥1,000 applies even if departure is on or after July 1. However, changing the flight after ticketing may cause the new rate (¥3,000) to apply.
Do children and transit passengers pay too?
Children under 2 years old, and transit passengers departing within 24 hours of entry, are exempt. Crew and departures on public-use aircraft are also outside the scope. All ordinary travelers aged 2 or older are taxed.
Why do Japanese people pay too?
Under the non-discrimination principle of tax treaties, it is difficult to impose disadvantageous taxation on foreigners alone on the basis of nationality. For that reason the departure tax covers everyone regardless of nationality.
What is the collected tax used for?
By law it is limited to three areas: "developing a comfortable travel environment," "making tourist information easier to obtain," and "raising satisfaction with experiences and stays." The added revenue is to be allocated with priority to measures against overtourism and attracting visitors to regional areas.
Reference links (sources)
This article is based on the following materials from public bodies and news reports. For tax amounts, procedures, and the latest information, please check with the National Tax Agency and the Japan Tourism Agency.
- National Tax Agency (procedures and overview of the International Tourist Tax) (in Japanese)
- Japan Tourism Agency (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) — uses and basic policy of the International Tourist Tax (in Japanese)
- Ministry of Finance — Outline of the FY2026 (Reiwa 8) tax reform (in Japanese)
- Travel Voice — Policy of raising the departure tax to ¥3,000 (verification of the transitional measure and duty-free scheme) (in Japanese)
- Norimono News — Departure tax triples: who is covered, exemption conditions, and ticket-buying tactics (in Japanese)
- MONEYIZM — The ¥3,000 departure tax: why do Japanese people pay too (non-discrimination principle, entry-tax debate) (in Japanese)
- yamatogokoro.jp — The Tourism Agency's FY2026 budget and the ¥3,000 tourist-tax increase (in Japanese)
* This article is intended as general information and is not tax advice. For details and the latest information on the system, please confirm with the National Tax Agency, the Japan Tourism Agency, or the relevant airline or shipping company.