Japan raises tourist fees and visa charges to curb overtourism

The Japanese government, targeting 60 million foreign visitors a year by 2030, is introducing a range of higher charges to manage overtourism and fund infrastructure. Major sites such as Himeji Castle now charge double the entrance fee for non‑residents – 2 500 yen versus 1 000 yen for locals – a move that cut visits by 17 % in the first month while more than doubling revenue. Similar dual‑pricing is being rolled out at museums, ski resorts, onsen and even public transport in cities like Kyoto.

In parallel, Japan has sharply increased visa fees for the first time since 1978, raising a single‑entry visa from 3 000 yen to 15 000 yen and a multiple‑entry visa to 30 000 yen. Departure taxes have also risen, and fees for permanent‑residence applications are set to climb. Officials say the measures aim to offset the strain on public services from a record 42 million foreign arrivals in 2024 and to sustain tourism’s contribution to GDP.

The policies mirror practices in other Asian destinations and Europe, where higher prices for tourists are used to temper crowding without limiting overall visitor numbers.