Japan's departure tax rises from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen, charged per departure from July 2026

The departure tax paid when leaving Japan has risen to three times its previous level. An article from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) notes that the levy has been playfully dubbed the "sayonara tax", meaning a farewell tax.

Japan's International Tourist Tax, commonly called the departure tax, rose from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen per departure on 1 July 2026, as stated in both the Japan Tourism Agency leaflet and the JNTO article. As of October 2026 the new rate has been in force for about four months, so it is worth budgeting for before you book your next flight.

The 3,000 yen is charged per departure, not per trip

The Tourism Agency leaflet sets the tax at 3,000 yen per departure from Japan. In other words, the unit is the number of departures, not the number of days stayed, and not once a year.

According to Travel Trade Journal on 29 June 2026, the tax applies to travellers leaving Japan by air or sea.

In most cases it is already built into your ticket

The Tourism Agency says the tax is generally collected from departing passengers by airlines and shipping companies, usually added to the fare, and then paid to the Japanese government. JNTO's article of 11 May 2026 likewise says that in the vast majority of cases the tax is factored into the return ticket automatically at the point of purchase.

The tax is therefore usually already included in the fare. How individual airlines itemise it has not been verified for this article; to confirm which rate applies to a given air or ferry ticket, the safest course is to ask the airline or shipping company directly.

Tickets issued on or before 30 June stay at the old rate

There is a transitional arrangement. According to the Tourism Agency leaflet, departures made on an eligible air or ship ticket issued on or before 30 June 2026 still attract the old rate of 1,000 yen.

Note that the public information used here does not explain exactly what counts as "eligible", for example whether rebooking or reissuing a ticket changes the applicable rate. Japan's National Tax Agency says the details of the July 2026 rate revision must be read in its Q&A document, which was first published in April 2018 and revised in April 2026. The Tourism Agency leaflet likewise advises readers to consult the National Tax Agency website for details of the scheme.

Who is exempt

• Infants under 2: the Tourism Agency leaflet and Travel Trade Journal's report agree that they are exempt from the tax.
• Foreign ambassadors and similar officials, and state guests: the National Tax Agency webpage lists guidance documents for these two types of departure exemption (leaflets dated May and July 2026 respectively), but the webpage itself does not set out the conditions for exemption.

If you think you may qualify for another exemption, rely on the National Tax Agency's official guidance and do not guess.

Families and business travellers: work out this one cost first

The rate itself is simple, but multiplying it by the number of people and departures makes the figure concrete. The examples below assume 3,000 yen per departure with infants under 2 exempt, and count the departure tax only:

• Two adults, a five-year-old child and a one-year-old infant travelling together: three people pay, totalling 9,000 yen per departure, compared with 3,000 yen under the old rate.
• A business traveller making four round trips to Japan a year: four departures total 12,000 yen, compared with 4,000 yen under the old rate.
• Leaving Japan midway through a trip, re-entering and then leaving again: under the per-departure principle, each of the two departures is charged once.

These are simple calculations based on the official rate. The yen–Hong Kong dollar rate fluctuates, so this article does not convert the amounts; accommodation, transport and other costs are not included.

Where the money goes

The Tourism Agency leaflet lists three uses for the revenue: creating a comfortable environment for travel, improving access to information about distinctive attractions, and using local cultural and natural resources to develop tourism. The leaflet also notes that the illustrations shown are only examples from the 2026 fiscal year budget.

What to check yourself before you go

The departure tax is only one charge on leaving. This article has not verified entry requirements; before departure, check Japan's official websites, including those of the Immigration Services Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This 3,000 yen is a charge that applies on every departure. Working it out when you book will make your overall budget more accurate.

Prices and details correct as of October 2026

Compiled by the F50 Editorial Team from public sources, for general reference only and not professional advice. Details are correct as of the publication date and may change.