Hakone town in Kanagawa Prefecture plans to introduce a flat-rate accommodation tax of 350 yen per person per night starting in April 2028 [1].

This policy aims to secure sustainable funding for public works in a region that attracts approximately 20 million visitors annually [1]. By shifting some of the financial burden to tourists, the local government intends to maintain the safety and accessibility of the area's infrastructure.

Officials said the plan during a press conference this week. The town expects a funding gap of approximately 1 billion yen per year for infrastructure maintenance and improvement starting in 2028 [1]. The new tax is designed specifically to fill this projected deficit [1].

Hakone is a major tourism hub known for its hot springs and scenic views. The high volume of traffic puts significant wear on local roads and facilities, an issue the town said requires a dedicated revenue stream to address effectively.

The tax will be a fixed amount regardless of the room price. This flat-rate approach ensures that all overnight guests contribute to the upkeep of the town's public services [1].

The implementation timeline allows the town and local hospitality businesses two years to prepare for the transition. Local hotels and ryokans will likely be responsible for collecting the fee from guests upon check-in or check-out [1].

“Hakone town plans to introduce a flat-rate accommodation tax of 350 yen per person per night”

This move reflects a growing trend among Japanese tourism destinations to implement 'user-pays' models for infrastructure. As domestic and international travel increases, the cost of maintaining public facilities often exceeds local tax revenues. By targeting the 20 million annual visitors, Hakone is attempting to decouple its infrastructure budget from its limited resident tax base to ensure long-term regional stability.