Japan has seen foreign tourist numbers explode post-pandemic, with visitor numbers in 2024 expected to have hit a record of more than 35 million.
For rooms in Kyoto priced at 20,000-50,000 yen ($127-317) per night, visitors will see their tax double to 1,000 yen ($6.35) per person per night, under the plans announced Tuesday.
“We intend to hike accommodation tax to realise ‘sustainable tourism’ with a high level of satisfaction for citizens, tourists and businesses,“ a statement said.
From Tokyo to Osaka and Fukuoka, major metropolises already levy tourists a few hundred yen per night for accommodation.
Tensions are highest in the Gion district, home to teahouses where “geiko” -- the local name for geisha -- and their “maiko” apprentices perform traditional dances and play instruments.
One member previously told Japanese media about an instance of a maiko's kimono being torn and another who had a cigarette butt put in the collar of her pristine outfit.
According to a recent survey, Kyoto residents are also unhappy about traffic congestion and misbehaviour by travellers.
Tourists have been flocking to Japan since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, attracted by its sights, culture, nature and also the weak yen.
This appeared to work, with preliminary figures showing the number of climbers down by 14 percent in the summer hiking season from July to September last year.
And in December Ginzan Onsen, a Japanese hot spring town popular for its photogenic snowy scenes began a trial scheme of limiting entry to day-trippers.
Only people staying at local hotels are allowed to enter the town after 8:00 pm, while those wishing to visit between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm will need a reservation.
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