Popular travel destination to hike hot springs 'bathing tax' in effort to tackle overtourism: report

Several cities in Japan are grappling with overtourism as local governments take different approaches to curbing crowds.

Japan is known for its hot springs (onsens) and bathing facilities surrounded by inns, drawing tourists from around the world.

Many of Japan's onsen towns have imposed so-called "bathing taxes" in an effort to support the upkeep of the scenic destinations, but are limited in the scope of what the tax covers.

Kumano Travel, the community-based reservation system for the Kumano region of Japan, lists information about the onsen tax on its website."Hot-spring accommodations throughout Japan are required by their municipal governments to charge an onsen tax equivalent to 150 yen per one adult per one night," the page says.

"This onsen tax is not included in the KUMANO TRAVEL price so please pay the fee with cash at the accommodation."

In March 2025, the hot spring town of Higashi-Izu will raise its bathing tax to around $2 (300 yen), reported TTG Asia, an Asia-Pacific travel trade business resource.

Atagawa Yamatokan, a beachfront hotel located in Higashi-Izu, lists on its website the upcoming increase in the hot spring tax.

"Due to an agreement with Higashiizu Town, the hot spring tax will be changed. Until February 28, 2025, 150 yen per person per day (per night). From March 1, 2025, 300 yen per person per day (per night)," the site says.

Nearly two million Americans visited Japan from January through August this year, marking a new record, said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in a public speech made in September.

Other international vacation destinations have implemented taxes in an effort to curb tourism.

Fox News Digital reached out to Atagawa Yamatokan hotel and the Japan Tourism Agency of the Japanese government for comment.