An increasing number of municipalities have raised the "bathing tax" rate on overnight visitors at "onsen" hot spring resorts as a quick and fairly easy way to raise revenues. In Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture, the Ito city will raise the bathing tax to 300 yen by October 2025 (up from 150 yen) due to a decline in onsen water levels. The Hot Spring Bath Tax is a levy imposed by local governments in Japan on guests staying at hot spring inns, and many travelers have likely encountered it.
Similar to the accommodation taxes in Tokyo and Osaka, the Hot Spring Bath Tax is a fixed-rate, per. Japan Question Forum: Accommodation and Bath Taxes. Dear visitor, if you know the answer to this question, please post it.
Thank you! In October 2025, Japan introduced a sweeping update to its tourism tax policy, affecting both domestic and international travelers. The new system imposes nightly fees ranging from ¥1,000 to ¥10,000 (approximately $6.50 to $65 USD) depending on the location, accommodation type, and season.
While the move is designed to combat over tourism and fund infrastructure upgrades, it's also. Japanese cities raise onsen tax to fund conservation efforts, reflecting a growing trend in sustainable tourism. This move will impact both the local economy and global travelers seeking unique cultural experiences.
Accommodation tax, or hotel tax, differs in Japan by city and region. Learn about the accommodation tax in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major cities. "Raising both the bathing tax and introducing the lodging tax would create a double burden on hot spring resort guests," the news source noted.
Nearly two million Americans visited Japan from January through August this year, marking a new record, said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in a public speech made in September. Hakone, a popular hot spring resort in Kanagawa Prefecture, may introduce its first lodging tax and increase the bathing tax due to financial strain from tourism. Visitors to Japan's hot spring town Hakone could need to pay more for accommodation in the coming years, as its authorities are considering taxing lodging to cope with rising tourism.