Japan Joins Singapore, South Korea and Bhutan in Getting Thrashed by New Security Measures: What You Need to Know

Tourism recovery after the pandemic has pushed many Asian governments to revisit how visitor flows are managed and funded. Overtourism in historic cities, pressure on infrastructure and concerns about illegal entry mean that countries are combining fiscal measures with stricter border controls to protect residents and preserve cultural heritage. These policies are not designed to discourage visitors outright; rather they are intended to ensure that tourism growth is sustainable and that the costs of hosting large numbers of travellers are shared equitably. Starting in 2026, several Asian countries and cities will introduce new taxes on tourists and strengthen security measures aimed at preventing ineligible travellers from reaching their territory. What follows is a detailed overview of these changes, why governments are implementing them and how travellers will be affected.

Japan: Overtourism and new fiscal measures

Japan’s central and local governments will launch multiple new levies in 2026 to address overtourism and fund preservation of heritage sites. One of the most significant changes comes from Kyoto, the ancient capital renowned for its temples and gardens. Kyoto already levies an accommodation tax, but a revised tiered structure will take effect on 1March2026. Under the new schedule, visitors staying in inexpensive rooms (less than 6,000yen per person per night) will pay 200yen, those spending 6,000–20,000yen will pay 400yen, stays priced at 20,000–50,000yen attract 1,000yen, rooms costing 50,000–100,000yen are taxed 4,000yen, and luxury stays exceeding 100,000yen will incur a 10,000yen surcharge. The city argues that a progressive rate tied to room price ensures that higher‑end visitors, who put more pressure on services and prime heritage areas, contribute more to preservation. The revenue will be used to upgrade transport, promote off‑peak tourism and protect cultural landscapes.

Japan’s national government also plans to triple its international tourist departure tax—currently 1,000yen—to 3,000yen. This fee is collected from anyone departing by air or ship and is added directly to ticket prices. According to the Ministry of Finance, the higher tax will fund new initiatives to manage overtourism, enhance multilingual signage and develop regional tourism infrastructure. It is part of the FY2026 tax reform package and is expected to be implemented in the 2026 fiscal year. Travellers departing Japan after the change should therefore expect the increased fee to appear in their airfare or cruise fare.

Another national policy change concerns Japan’s tax‑free shopping scheme, which currently exempts foreigners from paying consumption tax on purchases made at participating retailers. From 1November2026 the system will switch to a refund model: visitors will pay the consumption tax at the point of sale and will later claim a refund at special counters before departure. The Japan National Tourism Organization explains that the reform is intended to simplify transactions for merchants and prevent abuse of the tax‑free system. Travellers should plan to keep receipts and set aside time at the airport to claim refunds. Failure to claim within ninety days of purchase will mean forfeiting the tax rebate.

New accommodation taxes beyond Kyoto: Sapporo and Sendai

Although Tokyo introduced a hotel tax in 2002, several regional cities will adopt accommodation taxes for the first time in 2026. Sapporo—Hokkaido’s main gateway and host of popular snow festivals—will begin collecting an accommodation tax from 1April2026. The official ordinance divides the charge into city and prefectural components. Visitors staying in rooms priced under 20,000yen per night will pay 300yen (200yen to Sapporo, 100yen to Hokkaido). Rooms costing 20,000–50,000yen are taxed 400yen (with 200yen allocated to each level of government). Luxury accommodation above 50,000yen attracts 1,000yen (500yen to the city and 500yen to the prefecture). The tax applies to hotels, ryokan and licensed homestays; the law exempts educational trips and some youth groups. Sapporo officials say the revenue will fund improvements to public transport, winter event management and measures to address overtourism in ski resorts and hot‑spring towns.

Another city joining the trend is Sendai, capital of Miyagi Prefecture. Its ordinance sets a 300yen tax per person per night on stays costing 6,000yen or more (before meals and tax). The rate comprises 200yen for Sendai City and 100yen for Miyagi Prefecture. The levy will be imposed on and after 13January2026, while stays spanning the previous night are exempt. Sendai plans to channel the revenue into developing cultural attractions and improving visitor services as part of its reconstruction and tourism revitalisation strategy following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Travellers staying in budget accommodation below the 6,000‑yen threshold will not be charged.

Taken together, these new city‑level taxes reflect a broader shift in Japan towards using tourism levies as a tool for regional development. They reinforce the message that visitors have a responsibility to support the maintenance of the destinations they enjoy.

Singapore: Pre‑departure screening through No‑Boarding Directives

Beyond financial contributions, some Asian governments are tightening border controls to enhance security. Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will introduce a No‑Boarding Directive (NBD) regime from 30January2026. Currently, the ICA uses advance passenger information from the SG Arrival Card and flight manifests to flag high‑risk travellers for closer scrutiny upon arrival. Under the new system, officers will issue NBD notices to airlines when a passenger is identified as prohibited or undesirable, or if the traveller lacks a valid visa or sufficient passport validity. Airlines receiving a notice must deny boarding to the flagged individual; passengers who are refused boarding and still wish to visit Singapore must contact the ICA for approval before re‑booking their flights. The ICA emphasises that the objective is to prevent threats from reaching Singapore’s borders rather than intercepting them at immigration control. Non‑compliance carries a fine of up to SGD10,000 for the airline, while pilots or employees who knowingly allow a person under a directive to board could face similar fines or up to six months’ imprisonment. The ICA has been briefing airlines to ensure smooth operationalisation of the policy, and travellers are encouraged to check their visa and passport validity carefully before travel.

South Korea: Extension of K‑ETA exemptions until end‑2026

In 2021 South Korea introduced the Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K‑ETA) for visa‑exempt travellers. Applicants pay a fee and, if approved, can enter multiple times during a two‑year validity period while being exempted from completing the paper arrival card. To boost tourism during recovery, Seoul temporarily waived the K‑ETA requirement for citizens of selected countries. At the 10th National Tourism Strategy Meeting in late 2025, the government announced that the K‑ETA exemption would be extended until 31December2026. This means that travellers from the exempted list of 67 countries—including Canada and several European and Asian nations—can continue visiting South Korea without applying for K‑ETA until the end of 2026. Officials note that travellers may still choose to obtain K‑ETA to enjoy benefits such as skipping the digital arrival card, but the application fee will apply and existing authorisations remain valid until their expiration dates. The policy aims to stimulate tourism while the country finalises a permanent electronic authorisation system.

Bhutan: Sustainable Development Fee

Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is not new, but it remains one of Asia’s most significant tourist levies and is expected to continue well beyond 2026. Under reforms announced in mid‑2023, international tourists must pay US$100 per person per night, half the previous US$200 rate introduced when the country reopened in 2022. Children aged six to twelve receive a 50percent discount, while those aged five and under are exempt. The SDF funds Bhutan’s free education and healthcare system, climate‑resilience programmes and the preservation of the kingdom’s Buddhist heritage. Authorities state that the fee will continue until at least 2027. Certain travellers, such as regional pilgrims, diplomats and cross‑border workers, are exempt. The SDF underscores Bhutan’s “high‑value, low‑volume” tourism philosophy, ensuring that visitor spending directly benefits local communities and environmental conservation.

Conclusion

Asian destinations are recalibrating their tourism policies in the face of overtourism and evolving security challenges. Japan will introduce a suite of taxes in 2026—from progressive lodging charges in Kyoto to new levies in Sapporo and Sendai—alongside a higher departure tax and reforms to tax‑free shopping. Singapore will tighten its borders by empowering immigration authorities to issue No‑Boarding Directives that stop undesirable travellers before they even board flights. South Korea, while relaxing entry by extending K‑ETA exemptions, signals that a more sophisticated digital entry system is under development. Bhutan, meanwhile, maintains a nightly conservation levy to fund nation‑building and environmental stewardship. Collectively, these measures illustrate how Asian governments are seeking to balance tourism growth with sustainability and security. Travellers planning post‑2026 trips should budget for higher taxes in Japan, ensure their documentation meets Singapore’s pre‑flight screening criteria and be mindful of continuing levies elsewhere. Being informed about these changes will help tourists avoid surprises and contribute responsibly to the destinations they visit.

Reference List

1. Kyoto City ordinance on accommodation tax revision effective 1 March 2026 [1].
2. Japan National Tourism Organization notice on tax‑free shopping system changes from 1 November 2026 [2].
3. Japan Ministry of Finance FY2026 tax reform outline mentioning increase of international tourist tax to 3,000 yen [3].
4. Official Sapporo City page on the introduction of accommodation tax starting 1 April 2026 and its rates [4].
5. Official Sendai City page on accommodation tax effective 13 January 2026 with details on rate and exemptions [5].
6. Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority media release on the No‑Boarding Directive starting 30 January 2026 [6].
7. South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs notice extending the K‑ETA exemption until 31 December 2026 [7].
8. Visit Bhutan information on the Sustainable Development Fee and its rates and exemptions [8].

The post Japan Joins Singapore, South Korea and Bhutan in Getting Thrashed by New Security Measures: What You Need to Know appeared first on Travel and Tour World