News On Japan

Atami’s New Lodging Tax Aimed at Foreign Visitors Draws Criticism from Japanese

SHIZUOKA, Apr 04 (News On Japan) - As Japan enjoys the economic boost from a surge in foreign tourists, the hot spring town of Atami has introduced a lodging tax in April to tackle overtourism—prompting backlash from Japanese travelers who question why they, too, must pay a fee meant for inbound tourism.

During spring break, the city's shopping streets were crowded with tourists, including a growing number of foreigners among the three million annual visitors.

Visitors offered mixed reactions. A tourist from Chicago praised Atami’s relaxing hot springs, while a traveler from Aichi remarked on how few Japanese people were present at the baths. Since April 1st, Atami has been charging a lodging tax of 200 yen per night for anyone of junior high school age or older, excluding elementary school students and school trips. Hotels have already begun informing guests, with staff explaining the new charges upon check-in.

The lodging tax is a non-statutory local tax that municipalities can implement at their discretion, already in use in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. It is designed to improve tourism services and strengthen inbound tourism efforts. Atami’s tourism chief, Shuji Tatsumi, said the city needs to reallocate more budget to welfare and education due to Japan’s aging population and declining birthrate, making tourism funding increasingly difficult.

While some travelers accepted the fee as minimal or reasonable, others voiced frustration. Critics argued the tax should apply only to foreign tourists, especially given the weak yen and the fact that domestic travel should be encouraged. Commentator Hideo Yanagisawa said the policy could feel unfair to Japanese people, and host Minoru Aoi noted the inconsistency of lodging tax rates nationwide, pointing out that Kyoto recently approved raising its maximum tax to 10,000 yen.

Online, social media users echoed these frustrations, asking why more tax is needed and suggesting foreign tourists be the focus. However, foreign visitors interviewed in Atami were largely indifferent, with some saying the cost felt low compared to prices back home and that the tax was justified by the volume of tourism.

Travel analyst Kotaro Toriumi explained that lodging taxes are generally imposed regardless of nationality. Although it’s technically possible to charge only foreigners, doing so would require guests to present proof of residency, burdening accommodation staff and raising concerns about discrimination. For this reason, differentiating by nationality is difficult for local governments.

Atami is a coastal city located in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. It sits along the eastern coastline of the Izu Peninsula, facing Sagami Bay. Known for its hot springs (onsen), scenic ocean views, and historical significance as a resort town, Atami has been a popular getaway spot for both domestic and international travelers for decades.

It's easily accessible from Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train)—a trip that takes about 40 to 50 minutes, making it a convenient destination for day trips or weekend escapes.

Source: FNN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Four years ago, a Sri Lankan woman named Wishma died after repeatedly complaining of illness while detained at a Nagoya immigration facility. The government has admitted to possessing 295 hours of video footage documenting her condition leading up to her death—but has only disclosed five hours of it to the bereaved family.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided to waive basic water charges for all ordinary households in the city this summer, covering approximately 8 million households.

Following a wave of disturbing cases in which women were emotionally manipulated into debt and coerced into prostitution through exploitative tactics used by hosts, the revised Entertainment Business Act aimed at cracking down on abusive host club practices passed Japan's Lower House on Tuesday.

A 15-year-old junior high school student arrested for fatally stabbing an 84-year-old woman on a street in Chiba City was found to have purchased 'monkshood' seeds of the highly toxic plant aconite before the incident, according to police.

A 70-year-old man fell from a high-rise apartment building in Osaka and struck a cyclist on the sidewalk below, resulting in the deaths of both men.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Travel NEWS

A group of around 220 Ainu from across and beyond Hokkaido performed traditional dances at the Osaka-Kansai Expo on May 17th, conveying the Ainu spirit of mutual support and the importance of diversity and coexistence.

In Harajuku, Tokyo’s trendsetting district, animal cafes are rapidly multiplying along the bustling Takeshita Street, drawing large crowds of foreign tourists.

Starting in 2027, the number of giant snow sculptures produced by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for the Sapporo Snow Festival will be reduced from two to one, due to increasing demands on personnel for disaster response and winter training.

Rafting season has begun on the Kitayama River, which flows along the borders of Wakayama, Mie, and Nara prefectures, drawing tourists eager to experience its thrilling rapids.

Japan doesn’t just offer a glimpse of its own culture, it holds up a mirror to ours - subtly exposing how much we long for coherence, respect, and a sense of shared responsibility. (Retro Japan)

Two foreign tourists were rescued by helicopter on May 13th after becoming stranded due to the cold on Mt. Yotei in Kutchan, Hokkaido’s Shiribeshi region, where snow still remains at higher elevations.

JR Central will launch a new remote customer assistance service at eight stations on the Tokaido Line in Shizuoka Prefecture starting June 1st. This initiative aims to support passengers at stations that are unstaffed during early morning and late-night hours, improving convenience for travelers.

The Sanja Festival at Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo, a signature early-summer tradition of the downtown area, reached its peak on Saturday as groups of local carried mikoshi through the streets in the main 'Rengo Togyo' procession despite the rain.