Japan Departure Tax Tripled July 2026: ¥3,000 per Person - Complete Guide for Foreign Residents (国際観光旅客税)

By Yamada · Chiba, Japan · May 2026

If you fly out of Japan after July 2026, you will pay ¥3,000 per person instead of ¥1,000. The "International Tourist Tax" — also called the "Departure Tax" (出国税) — is being tripled.

This sounds small, but for foreign residents who travel often (back to home country, vacations, business trips), it adds up. A family of 4 will pay ¥12,000 just to leave the country.

In this guide:

• What is the departure tax?
• How much will you pay?
• Who pays (and who is exempt)
• How it is collected
• Real cost examples
• Tips to save

Table of Contents

1. What Is the Departure Tax?

The International Tourist Tax (国際観光旅客税, kokusai kankō ryokyaku-zei) is a small tax charged to everyone leaving Japan by plane or ship.

It started in January 2019 at ¥1,000 per person. The money funds:

• Tourism infrastructure (airports, signage)
• Digital travel services (Visit Japan Web, etc.)
• Multi-language signs
• Tourist support services

In May 2026, the government announced the rate will rise to ¥3,000 starting July 1, 2026 (date subject to final confirmation).

2. Old vs New Rate

A 3x increase.

3. Who Pays?

Almost everyone leaving Japan by air or sea pays:

Pays:

• Tourists
• Foreign residents (work visa, student visa, PR, etc.)
• Japanese citizens
• Business travelers
• People going on vacation
• People going home temporarily

Does NOT pay:

• Children under 2 years old
• Transit passengers (less than 24 hours in Japan)
• People leaving by land (almost no one - Japan is an island)
• Diplomatic passport holders
• Crew members on international flights

4. Who Is Exempt?

The full exemption list:

Important: Foreign residents (work visa, PR, etc.) are NOT exempt. You pay every time you leave.

5. How Is It Collected?

You do not pay separately. The tax is included in your airline ticket or cruise ticket price.

How to see it:

• Look at your flight booking receipt
• Find "Taxes & Fees" or "Other Charges"
• One line says "JP - Japan Tourist Tax" or "出国税" - ¥3,000 (after July 2026)

If you bought your ticket BEFORE July 2026 for travel AFTER July 2026, you may pay the old ¥1,000 rate. Check with your airline.

6. Real Cost Examples

Example A: Solo Foreign Worker (PR holder) going home once a year

• Old: ¥1,000/year
• New: ¥3,000/year
• Extra cost: ¥2,000/year

Small.

Example B: Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children age 5 and 8) going to Vietnam every summer

• Old: 4 × ¥1,000 = ¥4,000
• New: 4 × ¥3,000 = ¥12,000
• Extra cost: ¥8,000/trip

More noticeable.

Example C: Business traveler making 6 trips/year

• Old: 6 × ¥1,000 = ¥6,000
• New: 6 × ¥3,000 = ¥18,000
• Extra cost: ¥12,000/year

Real money.

Example D: International student visiting family in India during 4 winter breaks

• Old: 4 × ¥1,000 = ¥4,000
• New: 4 × ¥3,000 = ¥12,000
• Extra cost: ¥8,000 over 4 years

7. Yamada Hack: How to Plan Travel

Tip 1: Book before July 2026 for old rate.

If your travel is after July 2026 but you book in May or June 2026, you MAY pay the old ¥1,000. Confirm with airline.

Tip 2: Combine trips.

Instead of 3 short trips home per year, do 2 longer trips. Save ¥3,000+ per skipped trip.

Tip 3: Use the JR Pass before October 2026.

The JR Pass also goes up in price October 2026 (from ¥50,000 to ¥53,000 for 7-day pass).

Tip 4: For children under 2, leverage the exemption.

If you can travel before your child turns 2, save ¥3,000.

Tip 5: Book directly with airline.

Sometimes online travel agencies (OTA) add extra fees. Direct booking shows the tax cleanly.

8. Real Stories

Khan (Pakistani, IT Engineer, Tokyo):

Khan flies to Lahore twice a year. Old cost ¥2,000 in exit tax. New cost ¥6,000. He plans to combine trips into 1 longer trip per year.

Ramirez Family (Mexican, 4 people, Yokohama):

The Ramirez family goes back to Mexico every Christmas. Now their exit tax is ¥12,000 per trip. They started a "travel fund" jar at home.

Aoi (Vietnamese, Student, Osaka):

Aoi visits her family in Ho Chi Minh during summer break. Old cost ¥1,000. New ¥3,000. She is saving ¥3,000 extra each year now.

Mr. Kim (Korean, Business Traveler):

Mr. Kim flies to Seoul for business 8 times a year. Old cost ¥8,000. New cost ¥24,000. His company will likely cover this, but it's still real money.

9. FAQ

Q1: When exactly does the new rate start?

The government targeted summer 2026. Most reports say July 1, 2026. Final date by Cabinet Order. Confirm with your airline.

Q2: Is this the same as airport tax?

Different. Airport tax (passenger service facility charge) is separate. This is the "international tourist tax."

Q3: Do I pay if I never leave Japan?

No. Only if you leave by plane or ship.

Q4: I have PR. Am I exempt?

No. PR holders pay like everyone else.

Q5: My child is 1 year old now, turns 2 in August 2026. We travel in October 2026. Does she pay?

Yes. She is 2 years old at departure. ¥3,000.

Q6: Will the rate go up again?

Possible but not announced.

Q7: Can I get a refund if my flight is canceled?

Yes. The airline refunds the full ticket including the tax.

Q8: What if I overstay my visa and get deported?

Deportees usually do not pay this tax.

Q9: Do crew members pay?

No, if they are on duty.

Q10: How is the tax collected from cruise passengers?

Same way - included in cruise ticket.

10. Official References

• National Tax Agency (国税庁): https://www.nta.go.jp/
• Japan Tourism Agency (観光庁): https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/

Related EasyNihon Tools

• Travel Budget Calculator (coming soon)
• Visa Fee Calculator 2026
• Pension Refund Calculator (for leaving permanently)

¥3,000 is not the end of the world, but it adds up. Book international travel before July 2026 if possible. Combine trips. Plan ahead. Small fees stack up over years.

Safe travels. — Yamada