Popular Asian destination to triple tax for Canadian tourists on July 1
Travellers from Canada heading to Japan will soon see higher costs as the country is set to implement a significant tourist tax increase.
Tourists planning a trip from Canada to Japan to visit iconic destinations, such as Tokyo’s Senso-ji Temple or Osaka’s Dotonbori district, will be hit with higher fees starting next month. Japan is set to triple its international tourist tax after the government approved the increase on March 27, reports The Japan Times. The higher fee kicks in on July 1.
How much more will tourists have to pay?
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Currently, all international tourists travelling to Japan pay the mandatory tax of JPY1,000 or C$8.70, but that fee will increase to JPY3,000 or C$26.11 in July.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the fee is charged to international tourists leaving Japan by plane or cruise. Since it’s collected on departure, it has been nicknamed the “sayonara tax,” a reference to the Japanese word for “goodbye.” Children under the age of two are exempt from the fee.
“This is following suit with other countries, such as New Zealand, Bhutan, as well as various regions across Europe and North America,” states the site.
It also points out that while other destinations charge tourist taxes based on a percentage of accommodation fees, Japan’s tax is a flat rate “one-time fee.”
Funds go towards maintaining public works, restoring historical sets, creating online tourist resources, and restoring infrastructure at airports and tourist spots.
How is the fee collected?
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According to JNTO, the tax is automatically added when a passenger purchases a ticket.
So, what does that mean for Canadians? Travellers pay the fee upfront once they book their ticket online.
Daily Hive reached out to WestJet for clarification. In an email, a representative stated, “All applicable taxes and fees are outlined under ‘Taxes, Fees, and Charges’ during the WestJet booking process. Japan’s international tourist tax would be included within this breakdown.”
JNTO advises travellers to book their tickets ahead of time before the July 1 increase.
“Otherwise, you can simply sit back and take pride in your role in supporting more sustainable tourism in Japan,” it states.
Japan is seeing a steep drop in tourists from China as tensions rise between the two countries. As a result, it’s looking to attract tourists from North America, Europe, Australia, and other regions.
According to data from JNTO, Japan saw 3.6 million visits in March, marking a 3.5 per cent increase compared to the same time in 2025. In March, 79,900 Canadians visited Japan, marking a 17.4 per cent increase compared to March 2025.
Between rising tourist taxes and a jet fuel shortage crisis, the cost of travel can quickly add up.