On February 26, 2025, Fujikawaguchiko Town announced that the introduction of an “accommodation tax,” originally scheduled for 2026, will be postponed until April 2027. The tax is intended to address overtourism caused by foreign visitors and generate revenue to improve local infrastructure. The delay is due to the time required to design the system, given the large number and variety of lodging facilities in the town.
The town’s mayor had pledged to introduce the accommodation tax during his election campaign. In May 2024, the town established an internal working group to develop the plan.
However, with over 750 lodging facilities—including hotels, traditional ryokan inns, pensions, and glamping sites—officials determined that designing the system and reaching agreements with all business owners would take longer than initially expected.
To support the planning process, the town has allocated 16.5 million yen in next year’s budget for consulting services. These funds will be used to create implementation plans, develop tax collection methods, and determine which businesses will be subject to taxation.
During a regular press conference, the mayor said, “We want to carefully listen to business owners’ opinions while developing this system.”
Elsewhere in the prefecture, Fujiyoshida City has also announced plans to explore the introduction of an accommodation tax.
