Japanese tourist magnet Kyoto to hike hotel taxes
The Peninsula
Kyoto, Japan: Kyoto authorities announced Tuesday plans to hike lodging taxes, as Japan s ancient capital seeks to assuage grumbles from locals about...
Kyoto, Japan: Kyoto authorities announced Tuesday plans to hike lodging taxes, as Japan's ancient capital seeks to assuage grumbles from locals about too many tourists.
Lured by its myriad sights and a weak yen, Japan has seen foreign tourism numbers explode in recent years, with arrivals in 2024 expected to have hit a record of more than 35 million.
But like other hotspots worldwide such as Venice in Italy or Maya Bay in Thailand, this is not universally welcome, particularly in tradition-steeped Kyoto.
The city, which is a modest bullet train ride away from Tokyo -- with a view of Mount Fuji on the way -- is famed for its kimono-clad geisha performers and Buddhist temples.